The best racing in Victoria is live from Sandown this Saturday. The talented Katsu looks a moral in the Listed Bel Esprit Stakes, while the rest of the program looks a tough and tricky affair for punters. Find out who are experts are keeping their eyes on!
Sandown Race 6
#7 Katsu
Katsu is a flying machine! The Mikki Isle gelding is notching up the wins for fun, and he looks well placed Saturday meeting similar opposition. His two wins this preparation has turned heads, and there has been a flood of money for the talented three-year-old in early betting. From barrier eight, I expect him to roll forward and control the tempo, and if he can get a mid-race breather, it will be curtains a long way from home.
Invincible Caviar has trialled impressively, leading into this event. The I Am Invincible mare found her feet last preparation, and I expect her to go to another level this campaign. From barrier two, the daughter of Black Caviar can get the run of the race, and if she stays out of the predicated speed battle, she can gobble up her opposition late. The 1000m might be too sharp for her fresh.
Pintoff is over the odds! The Toorak Toff gelding was an impressive winner first-up, and he can threaten from the ideal inside draw. The rising seven-year-old has found a new lease of life under a new trainer, and if the leaders spend their pennies early, he can upset his more fancied rivals late.
Suggested Bet: Katsu @ $1.80
Sandown RACE 7
#7 Pascero
Sandown Race 8
#7 Unusual Culture
Unusual Culture is a winner! The Unusual Suspect mare has put two resilient wins together, and she looks to have plenty of upsides. The rise in class will be fine, and she is proven at the track and trip. From barrier one, she can camp just off the speed, and if she can get off the rail going through Corrigan’s Dip, she will be hard to hold out. She is rock-hard fit, and the apprentice claim puts her into all winning conversations.
Brayden Star will start a short-priced favourite after an impressive first-up run behind the flying British Columbia. The step out in the distance is advantageous, and he should get all the favours from an inside draw. The lightly-raced four-year-old is building an impressive career record, and the former English galloper can challenge with even luck in transit. The step-up in grade is his biggest challenge.
British Columbia is airborne. The Vancouver gelding is in career-best form, and he can continue on his winning ways if he can control the tempo throughout. The mile suits, and he should have a fitness edge over most of his rivals. The awkward barrier might be his undoing.
Suggested Bet: Unusual Culture @ $8.50
Sandown Race 9
#2 Gunstock
Gunstock got the cash for the punters’ first-up from a spell. The one-time VRC Derby favourite has returned in excellent order, and he looks hard to toss stepping out to a more suitable distance. His record second-up is near perfect, and the Tavistock gelding doesn’t know how to produce a below-par performance. I expect him to drift back from the wide barrier, and once he is presented to the middle of the track, he will steamroll his opposition with his devastating turn of foot.
Pinstriped has put two impressive wins together after being coming painful to follow for favourite backers. He is a very talented horse with a rare ability always to find trouble in transit. The Street Boss gelding looks to be back on track, and his best performances read well for this event. The 1800m looks ideal at this stage of his preparation, and if he can find cover in-running from barrier eighteen, he can make his presence felt late.
Not Usual Glorious is a must for all broader multiples and exotics. The Fiorente gelding is racing consistently, and from the perfect inside draw, he can roll forward and make his own luck. He has been specked at a price in early betting, and I am sure the money will continue with Damien ‘The Goat’ Oliver aboard. I am concerned his recent runs on bottomless tracks may come back to haunt him.
Suggested Bet: Gunstock @ $2.60
