The racing action heads to Kensington and Sale this Wednesday. Competitive racing is expected at both venues, and plenty of prizemoney is on offer. Find out below who our experts are expecting to take home the mid-week cash!
Kensington Race 5
#3 Formal
Formal is eyeing off a hat-trick of victories after falling in at Gosford. The Exceed And Excel gelding has been freshened up since his last start heroics, and he meets a similar field here. The 1100m is ideal at this stage of his campaign, and the current track conditions suit him to a tee. The 2kg apprentice claim brings him into all winning conversations. I expect him to pilot the field with a clean break from a perfect inside draw. Hard to toss!
Power Of The Brave was good without winning last start at Rosehill Gardens. The Brave Smash gelding strip fitter due to recent racing, and he looks perfectly placed in this company. The versatile four-year-old handles all conditions and has been well supported at a decent price since acceptances. His record at the trip is the primary concern.
Epic Proportions is ready to win. Both efforts this campaign have been good without threatening, and he finds a very winnable third-up assignment on Wednesday. The inside draw is advantageous, and he finds his pet distance. He tends to find one or two better at the pointy end of the contest.
Suggested Bet: Formal @ $4.40
Kensington RACE 6
#6 Hasty Honey
Hasty Honey is over the odds. The Epaulette mare was good without winning fresh at Warwick Farm, and her second-up record must be respected. The step out in trip is advantageous, and I suspect she will occupy the box seat from her soft draw. The key appointment of Kerrin McEvoy speaks volumes, and her double-figure quote folded faster than Superman on laundry day. Her overall winning record is the biggest deterrent.
Peony can run a drum at cricket-score odds. The Churchill mare was ok in her Australian debut, and her international form prior reads incredibly well for this event. The step out in trip is a major plus, and her recent barrier trials were ominous. The 2kg apprentice claim puts her into all winning calculations, and she has been specked at a price since acceptances. I would prefer to support her over further and deeper into her campaign.
Victory Lane is a model of consistency. The Invader gelding rarely produces a poor showing, and he meets easier opposition here. The 1550m suits him at this stage of his campaign, and I suspect he has the fitness edge on the majority of his rivals. From barrier six the big boy can sit midfield with some cover, and if he is presented with his run at the right time, he can make his presence felt late. Acid test!
Suggested Bet: Hasty Honey @ $8.50
Sale Race 6
#7 Bossy Star
Bossy Star was a brilliant last-start winner at the track and trip. The Street Boss gelding put his rivals to the sword a long way from home, and he deserves his shot at this level on Wednesday. The 2kg apprentice claim helps his case, and I suspect he has plenty of improvement to come for the preparation. The current track conditions are advantageous, and I expect him to go through his grades successfully during the winter months. The carpark draw is the primary concern.
Arc De Puissance caught the eyes of punters when winning at Seymour at his latest outing. The Puissance De Lune gelding savaged the line late, breaking most on-course clocks in the process. The enigmatic five-year-old is a five-furlong-specialist, and I suspect he will get the last crack at them if he is within reach of the peloton as they run for the doctor. His racing pattern and style will always require an element of good fortune.
Sioux Spirit will start race favourite after an impressive campaign to date. The Sioux Nation mare looks incredibly well place in this company, and she finds her pet distance. The talented four-year-old is ready to peak, and her versatility is exceptional for her age and racing experience. Jumping from another suburb makes her assignment a difficult one.
Suggested Bet: Bossy Star @ $6.50
Sale Race 8
#6 Sirius Statement
Sirius Statement is coming off a forgive run at Caulfield. The Press Statement mare covered more ground than Burke and Wills, and it was a hard watch for her supporters. Her performance prior was near perfect, and the significant drop in class puts one hoof on the till. The market support has been significant early doors, and I expect her to jump the race favourite. The horrendous barrier draw is her biggest obstacle.
Korobeiniki is a mare in from. Her last-start victory was first-class, and with even luck in transit on Wednesday, she can continue on her winning ways. The inside draw will allow her to have a soft trip throughout, and if the gaps appear as they turn for home, she can loom to win. A must for all broader multiples and exotics.
The Creator is the class runner of the field. The Wrote gelding’s best performance could produce a demolition job, and a recent jump out at Seymour should have his key rivals on high alert. The seven-furlong trip is ideal fresh, and he is a winner previously first-up from a spell. His failed trip to Sydney is fresh in the memory bank, and I am unsure he will be fully wound up for this assignment with a long campaign ahead. Take on trust.
Suggested Bet: Sirius Statement @ $5.50
