Midweek racing returns to Wyong and Sandown this Wednesday! With competitive Benchmark racing featuring on the bumper programs, find out who our experts are expecting to take home the cash.
Wyong Race 4
#5 Vomo Island
Vomo Island resumes after a little freshen-up. The significant drop in class will suit the Dundeel gelding, and he looks extremely hard to toss jumping from an inside barrier. The 1200m is ideal at this stage of his preparation, and I expect him to pilot the field with a clean start. If he is left to his own devices on top of the speed, I am unsure his rivals will get near him when the whips are cracking. Big watch!
One Last Shot will have supporters after turning heads at the trials. I suspect he will be ready for a first-up tilt, and if he doesn’t get too far out of his ground during the race’s early stages, he can threaten late. I am unsure the short Wyong home straight will suit his racing pattern and style.
Chief Witness was impressive on debut. The Star Witness gelding strips fitter, and I expect him to come on leaps and bounds with a run under his belt. The step out to 1200m is advantageous, and if he can find some cover from the awkward barrier, he can make his presence felt late.
Suggested Bet: Vomo Island @ $2.00
Wyong RACE 7
#8 Misty Legend
Misty Legend is first-up after receiving the ultimate gear change. The I Am Invincible gelding traditionally races well fresh, and he looks ideally placed in this company. His two recent trials since the manhood adjustment have been first-class, and he should get all the favours in the run jumping from barrier two. If the gaps appear as they run for the doctor, I expect him to greet the judge before his rivals.
Soobooco has been well supported since markets opened. The Sooboog gelding was good without threatening last start in a hot race at Randwick, and his best form reads well for this event. From barrier one, he can occupy the box seat throughout, and if Jason Collett can angle the big boy off the rail at the right time, I expect him to make his presence felt late.
Critical Time is over the odds. The Shalaa gelding was good at the track and distance first-up, and he meets similar opposition on Wednesday. From barrier nine, he will drift back and watch the race unfold, and if he can stay in touch with the peloton throughout, he can pinch the major prize at a price. His racing pattern and style will always require an element of luck.
Suggested Bet: Misty Legend @ $3.00
Sandown Race 5
#2 Sky Horse
Sky Horse is knocking on the door. All runs this preparation have been good without winning, and the evergreen seven-year-old is ready for the longer trip. The Benchmark 70 level shouldn’t hold any fears for the Tavistock mare, and with even luck in transit, she can trouble the scorers. Jordan Childs will have the Michelle Payne runner anchor the field, and if he presents her with the right run at the right time, I expect her to gobble up her rivals late.
The classy Tommy will start a short-priced favourite. The Telperion gelding meets easier opposition, and I suspect he has the fitness edge on the majority of his rivals after a long and consistent campaign to date. From barrier one, he will roll forward and take up his favourite role as race leader, and if he can pinch some cheap sectionals throughout, he will look the winner as they turn for home. The grandstand weight is his biggest challenge.
Royal Rift is over the odds! Both runs this preparation have been teasing, and I suspect he has been trained to explode third-up from a spell. The Kingman gelding is ready for the 2100m, and if the leaders leave the kettle on during the race’s early stages, he can capitalise late. His winning record and the significant rise in class are among the primary concerns.
Suggested Bet: Sky Horse @ $6.50
Sandown Race 7
#9 Pretty Tavi
Pretty Tavi savaged the line second-up at Kyneton. The Tavistock mare finds her pet distance on Wednesday, and she is undefeated third-up. Jamie Kah already has a winning association with the progressive four-year-old, and the Freedman camp are training winners for fun at present. If she can find some cover early from the tricky alley, I expect her to be fighting out the finish. She looks great each-way value.
South Of Houston looks poised to strike fresh. The Deep Field mare meets easier opposition, and I suspect she will receive the run of the race from the perfect inside draw. The 2kg apprentice claim is advantageous, and the enigmatic four-year-old is too consistent to dismiss. She can bounce back if she avoids an early-speed battle.
Zamborghini will have fans after an impressive last-start victory at Mornington. The Zoustar gelding still has natural improvement to come for the preparation, and he boasts form around some serious and proven gallopers. His record at 1200m must be respected, and if he doesn’t cover more ground than Captain Cook from barrier fourteen, he can loom to win inside the final furlong.
Suggested Bet: Pretty Tavi @ $10.00
