Kensington and Sandown Hillside are the feature meetings this Wednesday. With the weather starting to heat up and Group 1 stars returning in pursuit of spring riches, find out below who our experts expect to take home the mid-week cash!
Kensington Race 6
#5 Bodhi Boy
Bodhi Boy is racing well at present. The So You Think gelding has hardly put a foot wrong all campaign on the county and provincial circuit, and the consistent four-year-old deserves his shot at this level on Wednesday. The 1250m is ideal at this stage of his campaign, and the current track conditions suit him to a tee. The inside draw is advantageous, and he has been well supported since acceptances. Hard to toss!
Silvanito resumes with an air of expectation. The Shooting To Win gelding is a wet track specialist who looks extremely well placed in this company. His recent barrier trial at Gosford was first-class, and he traditionally motors first-up from a spell. It may pay dividends to watch for any significant market moves.
Noble Soldier was ok without threatening fresh. The Time For War gelding resumed after a lengthy lay-off, and I suspect he strips fitter as a result. The inside draw puts him into all winning calculations, and his record with the sting out of the track speaks volumes. I’d prefer to support his case further into his preparation.
Suggested Bet: Bodhi Boy @ $3.50
Kensington RACE 7
#5 Lady Boss
Lady Boss is knocking on the door. The Street Boss mare has finished on the heels of the winners all campaign, and I suspect her next victory is just around the corner. Her wet form gives her a boost, and she is undefeated at the trip. The James McDonald and Chris Waller combination will attract further market support, and I suspect the big girl has the fitness edge on her key rivals. Her recent winning record is the primary concern.
Idle Flyer put several victories together last campaign. The Dundeel mare has turned heads at recent barrier trials, and she finds a very winnable assignment first-up from a spell. Her record at the track and trip must be respected, and she looks the likely leader on paper. I am unsure how she will handle the soft-to-heavy conditions.
Mergeila will start race favourite after impressing the punters in her debut campaign. The lightly raced Justify mare showed plenty of promise early doors, and the form around her has repeatedly stood up. The 1250m is the ideal starting point for her spring campaign, and I suspect the camp has lofty goals moving forward. Jumping from a different suburb is the primary concern.
Suggested Bet: Lady Boss @ $5.00
Sandown Hillside Race 6
#13 Trapdoor
Trapdoor looks one of the better bets on a tricky and competitive program. The Brutal gelding was ultra-impressive when winning on debut, and I suspect he has upside for days. The big boy oozes class and possesses a significant turn of hoof. The step out in trip is ideal at this stage of his debut preparation, and he can springboard into some serious races over the coming months with a victory on Wednesday. Big watch!
King Tut began his career in the fine style. The American Pharaoh gelding has finished on the podium in all career starts, and I suspect he has further improvement to come for the preparation. The Ciaron Maher-trained galloper has shown exceptional versatility in his racing to date, and he looks the logical danger to the short-priced commodity. He can cause a major upset if he is presented with his run at the right time.
Bronte Beach has turned heads at both career starts. The undefeated Justify mare resumes with a bubble surrounding her, and her recent jump-outs were ominous. The inside draw should give her key rivals sleepless nights leading into Wednesday’s assignment, and with even luck in transit, I expect her to figure in the finish. The significant class rise is the primary concern. Acid test.
Suggested Bet: Trapdoor @ $2.60
Sandown Hillside Race 7
#11 Mr Vivaci
Mr Vivaci is a model of consistency. The Tivaci gelding was a good thing beaten fresh, and he recorded a well-deserved second-up victory. The mile looks his pet trip, and I suspect he has plenty of improvement to come for the current campaign. The inside draw will allow him a soft trip in-transit, and if he sees clear air before they negotiate Corrigan’s Dip, I expect him to prove too strong late.
Mr Verse is flying at present. The Lope De Vega hasn’t missed a drum since the moon landing, and he meets the usual suspects here. The 2kg apprentice claim is advantageous; he is a 1600m specialist. The early market support indicates another bold and forward showing, and I suspect he will make his presence felt when the whips are cracking. I am unsure Sandown will suit his racing pattern and style.
Al Duca was good without winning fresh. As a result, the Al Maher gelding strips fitter, and the step out in distance plays into his favour. The form around him puts him into all winning calculations, and the current track conditions give him a massive leg up. He tends to find one or two better at the pointy end of a contest.
Suggested Bet: Mr Vivaci @ $5.00
