Canterbury and Sandown Hillside are the feature meetings this Wednesday. With competitive and tricky programs listed at both venues and spring racing in full swing, find out below who our experts expect to take home the mid-week cash!
Canterbury Race 5
#7 Theblade
Theblade is knocking on the door. The Toronado gelding was good without winning fresh, and he finds a winnable second-up assignment on Wednesday. The flighty four-year-old strips fitter as a result of recent racing, and I suspect he will receive the run of the race from a perfect inside draw—the one to beat if he brings his race-day manners.
Central Coast resumes with an air of expectation. The Wootton Bassett colt has trialled exceptionally well, and his debut campaign oozed class. The big boy has been aimed at some lofty spring targets and looks incredibly well placed in this company. He is a winner at the track and distance, and I suspect he will be cherry ripe for a first-up tilt. Take on trust.
Golden Straand is coming off a forgivable run on a bottomless track. The form prior was first-class, and his recent jump out turned heads. The middle gate will allow the Snitzel entire to roll forward and pilot the field, and if the enigmatic four-year-old can cheat the clock throughout, he may prove hard to run down.
Suggested Bet: Theblade @ $5.00
Canterbury RACE 7
#3 The Replicant
The Replicant snatched victory from the jaws of defeat at his latest outing. The Tivaci gelding got the job done right on the wire, and he looks dangerous on the quick back-up. The form around him has stood up time and again, and I suspect he has the fitness edge on the majority of his key rivals after a lengthy and fruitful campaign. His racing pattern and style will always require an element of good fortune.
United Kingdom will start race favourite after producing an eye-catching performance at Warwick Farm. The Almanzor gelding will take natural improvement after a long time off the scene, and his trials in between outings have been first-class and arrogant. From the carpark draw he will drift back and find his hooves, and if James McDonald presents him with his run at the right time, I expect him to figure in the finish. His winning record is the biggest deterrent.
Wild Chap is the over the odds. The Toronado gelding is racing better than it reads in the bible, and his best performance here would see him figure in the finish. The 3kg apprentice claim is advantageous, and the perfect inside draw brings him into all winning conversations. His victory at Newcastle last start was tough and resilient, and he meets easier opposition. Not the worst.
Suggested Bet: The Replicant @ $6.00
Sandown Hillside Race 6
#10 Kirribilli
Kirribilli resumes after a lengthy lay-off. Her form at Stakes level reads exceptionally well for this Benchmark event, and she has been heavily supported early doors. The Snitzel mare is ideally weighted, and the progressive four-year-old has one hoof on the till after the 3kg apprentice claim. Her turn of foot is first-class despite her limited racing experience, and I expect her to have the last shot at her rivals with the predicted pace upfront. Acid test.
Enna’s Dream is a model of consistency. The Winning Rupert mare is never far away, and I suspect her next victory is just around the corner. She looks well placed, meeting the usual suspects, and I expect her to springboard into Saturday grade if she can taste success in this event. The handicapper hasn’t missed her with the allocated weight, and I am unsure where she will be positioned in the run. Can score if all the planets align.
Garnacho was ok without threatening first-up at Caulfield. I expect him to significantly improve second-up, and he is drawn to receive the perfect run throughout. The Flemington winner boasts form around the useful On Display, and I suspect his best performance here could produce a demolition job. I would prefer to support his case further into the campaign over further. Big watch!
Suggested Bet: Kirribilli @ $4.80
Sandown Hillside Race 7
#15 Autumn Slide
Autumn Slide can run a drum at a decent double-figure quote. The Autumn Sun mare keeps savaging the line, and I suspect she has found the right assignment in a familiar grade. The 1800m suits at this stage of her campaign, and she is rock-hard fit with a handful of impressive performances under her belt. The track condition suit to a tee, and Damien Lane already has a winning association with the big girl. Over the odds despite the awkward alley.
Zambardo is flying in his debut Australian campaign. The Belardo gelding was narrowly edged out fresh, and his second-up victory was business-like. His international form prior reads will for this event, and I suspect he has a serious spring campaign ahead of him. The step out in trip is ideal at this stage of his preparation, and his opening quote has disappeared quicker than last weeks’ pay. The significant class rise is his biggest challenge.
Kaazi is chasing a hat-trick of victories. The Study Of Man gelding is progressing though his grades successfully, and I suspect the camp have a high opinion of the lightly raced four-year-old. He has been well supported late in all career starts to date, and I suspect there are some lofty spring targets mapped out for the progressive galloper. It may pay dividends to follow him moving forward regardless of Wednesday’s result.
Suggested Bet: Autumn Slide @ $11.00
