Kensington and Sandown Hillside are the feature meetings this Wednesday afternoon. With competitive benchmark racing at both venues, find out below who our experts expect to take home the mid-week cash.
Kensington Race 6
#4 Perspiration
Perspiration resumes with an air of expectation surrounding him. The Too Darn Hot colt finished his spring campaign with a victory in the Heritage Stakes, and the form out of that particular race has stood up time and again. The 1150m will suit fresh; I suspect he will appreciate the significant drop-in class. The grandstand weight is his biggest obstacle.
Memoria is racing well at present. The Caravaggio mare hasn’t missed a drum all preparation, and her first-up win is still fresh in the memory bank. The 3kg apprentice claim brings her into all winning conversations, and I expect her to pilot the field with a clean break from the barriers. If she can cheat the clock throughout, she will look the winner inside the final furlong.
Key Largo is over the odds. The I Am Invincible gelding was good fresh in a hot form race without threatening, and he strips fitter for his second-up assignment. He looks well placed in this company and is ideally drawn in barrier four. His racing pattern and style will always require an element of good fortune.
Suggested Bet: Perspiration @ $5.00
Kensington RACE 7
#1 Roma Avenue
Roma Avenue is ready to win. The Star Witness gelding has been extremely good at both starts this campaign without winning, and I suspect he is about to produce a peak performance for the preparation. The 2kg apprentice claim puts one hoof on the till, and he looks the likely leader on paper. The big boy is a winner third-up from a spell previously, and the early money is ominous. Great each-way value.
Peace Officer is racing well without winning. The Iffraaj gelding finds his pet distance here, and I suspect this race has been a long-range target from the astute camp. He has trialled well since his latest performance at Warwick Farm, and the 1550m looks ideal third-up from a spell. The awkward barrier draw is the primary concern.
Tympanist can run a drum at a decent price. The Belardo gelding always performs well fresh and is a track and distance specialist. The rising seven-year-old will slide back from the middle gate, and if he can stay in touch with the peloton during the middle stages of the race, I expect him to figure in the finish. Over the odds.
Suggested Bet: Roma Avenue @ $7.00
Sandown Hillside Race 5
#1 Extreme Virtue
Extreme Virtue is building a picket fence next to her name. The Extreme Choice mare is chasing her fourth victory on the bounce, and she is coming off a string of impressive jumpouts. Barrier one puts her rivals on notice, and champion jockey Craig Williams is building an impressive record with the talented four-year-old. If she can find the bunny during the early stages of the race, she will look the winner as they run for the doctor. Hard to toss!
Proved will have plenty of supporters after a perfect start to her racing career. The Time Test mare has recorded four victories from as many starts, and she scarily has plenty of improvement and upside to come. The inside draw will allow her to take up a prominent position, and I suspect she has the fitness edge on the majority of her rivals. The significant step up in class is the primary concern.
Matawai is too consistent to dismiss. The Derryn mare has hardly put a hoof wrong this campaign, and I suspect she is ready to explode third-up from a spell. The progressive four-year-old deserves her shot at this level, and the Blake Shinn factor must be respected. Her record at the distance speaks volumes, and she has been heavily supported since acceptances. Acid test.
Suggested Bet: Extreme Virtue @ $5.00
Sandown Hillside Race 7
#2 Conchiero
Conchiero looks the best bet on a tricky and competitive program of racing. The Pierata gelding was a brilliant last-start winner at Warwick Farm, and he looks well placed meeting easier opposition. The 2kg apprentice claim is advantageous, and the step out in trip looks ideal at this stage of his campaign. The carpark draw is the biggest deterrent.
Bit Of Shoosh looked good when winning on debut. The Shamus Award gelding ran well in a strong race without threatening, and I suspect he will be more suited at this level. Barrier three will give the enigmatic three-year-old a soft trip in transit, and the 1600m is ideal at this stage of his career. When the penny drops, he will go through his grades successfully, and I suspect the camp have a high opinion on him and his ability. Take on trust.
Vino Grande was a brave last-start winner at Echuca. The Vino Rosso has plenty of improvement to come for the campaign, and I suspect he can run a drum at the cricket score odds. His record at the distance is sound, and I suspect Sandown will suit his racing pattern and style. The significant rise in class and his recent winning record are among the primary concerns.
Suggested Bet: Conchiero @ $3.20
