Rosehill Gardens and Sandown Hillside are the feature mid-week meetings this Wednesday. With autumn in full swing, find out who our experts are expecting to finish February with a bang!
Rosehill Race 5
#3 Mare Of Mt Buller
Mare Of Mt Buller has made an impressive start to her career. The filly is winning for fun at present, and she looks hard to beat from the low barrier draw on Wednesday. The step up out to 1500m is ideal at this stage of her preparation, and with even luck in-transit, I expect her to figure in the finish. Hard to toss!
Last Straw was good first-up without winning. The Brazen Beau filly has returned to racing in fine order, and I suspect the talented three-year-old will notch up several victories during her autumn campaign. If she can overcome the carpark draw during the race’s early stages, she can make her presence felt in the shadows.
Our Gold Hope was a dominant last-start winner at Hawkesbury. The Lope De Vega filly is ready for the longer trip, and I suspect she has the fitness edge on the majority of her rivals. She will drift back and watch the race unfold, and if the leaders leave the kettle on early, she can capitalise late. She will always require an element of luck with her racing pattern and style.
Suggested Bet: Mare Of Mt Buller @ $3.20
Rosehill RACE 6
#2 Introducing
Introducing was good without threatening fresh at Warwick Farm. The Trapeze Artist gelding strips fitter after his recent outing, and he will be suited to the significant drop in class. The talented three-year-old oozes class and his best performance could be fences and panels better than his opposition. The horrendous barrier draw and recent winning record are among the primary concerns.
Lovero is ultra-consistent. The Astern mare returned to racing with a breathtaking win at Canterbury, and she meets similar opposition on Wednesday. From barrier two, she will roll forward and pilot the field, and if she is left to her own devices on top of the speed, she may lead her rivals in a merry dance throughout. An early-speed battle may be her undoing.
Wizard Of Oz performed admirably during the spring. The Exceed And Excel entire was never far away, and he rubbed shoulders with some serious gallopers. He is a winner at the distance, and he traditionally races well fresh. I would prefer to see him over further and deeper into his campaign before investing.
Suggested Bet: Introducing @ $3.80
Sandown Race 5
#5 The Big Kahuna
The Big Kahuna turned heads fresh at Bendigo. The Rebel Raider gelding sprouted wings late, and he gobbled up his rivals in the shadows. The step out to 1800m is advantageous, and the flood of early money indicates another forward performance is on the cards. From barrier five, he will be ridden cold and anchor the field, and if he is within striking distance as they run for the judge, I expect him to prove too strong late.
Boondocks has made a consistent start to his racing career. The Zoustar colt doesn’t know how to run a bad race, and he is coming off a strong win at Ballarat. The longer trip looks ideal at this stage of his spell, and he deserves his shot at a city victory on Wednesday. He must be considered on exposed form, and he is sure to have supporters. This is his acid test!
Bavicia was brave on top of the speed first-up at Bendigo. The Almanzor gelding look the winner on straightening, and he was game in defeat fighting all the way to the post. He will benefit from his fresh performance and looks like the likely race leader. He may catch his more fancied rivals napping if he can control the clock throughout.
Suggested Bet: The Big Kahuna @ $8.00
Sandown Race 7
#1 Montjeuify
Montjeuify is knocking on the door. The Charm Spirit gelding is coming off a string of narrow losses, and he meets easier opposition on Wednesday. The 3kg apprentice claim could prove the winning difference, and his record at the trip must be respected. Class runner who will take a power of beating!
Gronkowski is flying at present. The Starcraft gelding is undefeated for the preparation at present, and there is no reason he can’t continue on his winning way. His turn of foot is exceptional, and he will eat up every inch of the 1300m assignment. The big step up in grade is the primary concern.
Hazel Baby will have supporters. The Toronado mare was an impressive winner fresh at Moonee Valley, and she traditionally performs well second-up. The 1300m is in her wheelhouse, and she looks dangerous jumping from a perfect inside gate. The Jamie Kah and Chris Waller combination will attract market support, and I expect her quote to shorten significantly before the barriers open.
Suggested Bet: Montjeuify @ $18.00
