Kensington and Sandown Lakeside are the feature mid-week meetings this Wednesday. With the autumn carnivals in full swing, and with the time-honoured features just around the corner, find out who our experts are expecting to take home the cash!
Kensington Race 5
#1 Russian Roni
Russian Roni looked good resuming at Warwick Farm. It was a big improvement on last campaign, and the Russian Revolution gelding put the writing on the wall for a big autumn preparation. The 2kg apprentice claim is advantageous, and his second up record must be respected. The talented four-year-old will appreciate the drop in grade and looks dangerous jumping from a perfect inside barrier. Hard to toss!
Time Quest is ready to win. The Time Test gelding savaged the line at his latest outing, and he looks well-placed in this company. From barrier two, he is drawn to get a dream run in transit, and he has been screaming out for the longer trip since the first fleet arrived. He may need some luck getting off the dulex as they run for the doctor.
Zondee was a dominant last-start winner at the track and distance. The Snitzel colt meets similar opposition, and I suspect he has the fitness edge on the majority of his rivals. From barrier three, he will roll forward and pilot the field, and if he is left to his own devices, he can lead his rivals to a merry dance. An early-speed battle may be his undoing.
Suggested Bet: Russian Roni @ $5.00
Kensington RACE 6
#2 Able Willie
Able Willie was an impressive first-up winner at Warwick Farm. The Written Tycoon gelding came home from a minute back, and he timed his run to perfection! The enigmatic five-year-old usually performs well second-up, and I suspect he has plenty of improvement to come for the campaign. The James McDonald and Chris Waller factor should never be underestimated, and there has been significant market support since betting opened. Happy to push the chips in here!
Ballroom Bella flew from the clouds second-up at Randwick. The Russian Revolution filly meets easier opposition, and I suspect she is ready to produce a peak performance for the campaign. The step-out trip is advantageous, and Regan Bayliss has plenty of options from a middle draw. Watch for her late!
Portray was good without winning fresh. The Ribchester mare traditionally runs well at this preparation stage, and she looks poised to strike over the 1150m. She will jump and slide across from the awkward barrier draw, and if she can find the lead during the race’s early stages, she may prove hard to run down. Her fate may be decided during the first furlong.
Suggested Bet: Able Willie @ $4.00
Sandown Lakeside Race 4
#6 Sunshineinmypocket
Sunshineinmypocket has impressed the punters at both career starts. The undefeated Proisir gelding oozes class, and I suspect he will handle the step up to Benchmark 70 with his eyes closed. From a perfect inside draw, I expect him to get the run of the race, and the 1400m looks ideal at this stage of his campaign. A very progressive type!
Blow In was good fresh at Flemington without winning. The Fighting Sun gelding is a noted second-up performer, and his record at the distance is outrageous. He strips fitter after his recent outing and looks well placed meeting easier opposition. From the middle gate, he will drift back and watch the race unfold, and if he doesn’t get too far out of his ground during the middle stages of the race, he can threaten late.
Kings Consort is ready to win. He has been running well this campaign without troubling the scorer, and I suspect he has been set for this event fourth-up from a spell. The Ilovethiscity gelding gets in well at the weights, and the step out to the seven furlongs could prove the winning difference. He tends to always find one or two better on the day.
Suggested Bet: Sunshineinmypocket @ $1.80
Sandown Lakeside Race 7
#2 Angry Skies
Angry Skies resumes at a decent price. The Toronado gelding showed promise during the early parts of the spring, and I suspect he has an exciting and fruitful campaign ahead of him. He usually goes like the wind fresh, and I suspect 1200m is his best distance. A recent barrier trial suggests a forward showing, and he has been specked at big odds in early betting.
Pantelone was good first-up over the 1000m. He traditionally performs well second-up, and I suspect he will make a significant improvement from his recent outing. From barrier three, the Street Boss gelding can occupy the box seat throughout, and if Mark Zahra presents the big boy with his run at the right time, I expect him to fight out the finish. Big watch!
The Hass is knocking on the door. Both runs this preparation have been full of merit, and I suspect the Ajaya gelding is ready to peak third-up from a spell on Wednesday. From barrier eleven, he will slide back and find his hooves, and if the peloton leaves the kettle on during the middle stages of the race, he can capitalise late. His racing pattern and style will always require an element of good fortune.
Suggested Bet: Angry Skies @ $17.00
