Rosehill Gardens and Sandown Hillside are the key mid-week meetings this Wednesday. With competitive Benchmark racing expected at both venues, and plenty of value on offer, start your October on a winning note!
Rosehill Gardens Race 4
#7 United Kingdom
United Kingdom is ready to win. The Almanzor gelding was only beaten a whisker fresh, and his second-up performance was full of merit. The step-out in a trip is advantageous, and the current track conditions are suitable for a tee. The middle gate provides champion hoop James McDonald multiple options during the early stages of the event, and the Chris Waller factor must be respected. Hard to toss!
Sirius Legend is flying at present. The Dundeel is chasing a hat-trick of victories, and the talented four-year-old looks well placed to continue on his winning ways. The big boy deserves his shot at this level, and his double-figure quote disappeared faster than last week’s pay. His racing pattern and style always requires an element of good fortune.
King Pedro is over the odds. The Eminent gelding makes his Australian debut for the O’Shea yard, and his New Zealand form reads incredibly well for this event. The 3kg apprentice claim puts him into all winning conversations, and he has been well supported early doors. I would prefer to support him deeper into his campaign over further.
Suggested Bet: United Kingdom @ $5.00
Rosehill Gardens RACE 6
#9 Burma Star
Burma Star looks one of the better bets on a tricky and competitive program. The Exceed And Excel colt oozes class and is racing this campaign extremely well. The 1200m will suit at this stage of his preparation, and I suspect he will grow an extra leg on top of the ground. The lightly raced three-year-old looks progressive, and I expect his quote to enter the red. Big watch!
Theblade was ok without winning fresh in a hot form race at Doomben. The Toronado gelding looks well placed in this company, and his best performance here could produce a demolition job. The middle gate will suit, and I suspect the useful four-year-old will roll forward and take up a prominent role. I expect him to figure in the finish if he is presented with his run at the right time. His winning record is the primary concern.
Midnight Dynamite caught the eyes of punters late first-up at Canterbury. The Pierata gelding is undefeated second-up, and his record at the six-furlong trip is super honest. The drier conditions suit, and his trials leading into his spring campaign are still fresh in the memory bank. The grandstand weight is his biggest obstacle.
Suggested Bet: Burma Star @ $3.00
Sandown Hillside Race 4
#4 Shockletz
Shockletz resumes with an air of expectation. The Shocking mare was a model of consistency during the winter, and the form around her has stood up time and again. The 1600m is a great starting point for her spring campaign, and her first-up record must be respected. The inside draw will ensure a soft trip in transit, and the inform Harry Coffey could ride a broomstick to victory at present. The one to beat.
Presser has been racing well in better races. The Press Statement gelding is edging closer to his next victory, and I suspect he will appreciate the significant drop in grade on Wednesday. I suspect he has the fitness edge on his key rivals and comes in extremely well at the weights. He tends to find one or two better at the pointy end of a contest.
Acta Non Verba has been racing well on the provincial and country circuits. The Blue Point gelding deserves another shot in town, and he finds a winnable assignment here. The 2kg apprentice claim is advantageous, and the inside draw throws the Raygun amongst the pigeons. He looks the likely leader on paper, and if he can control the clock throughout, he can cause a boil over. The class rise is the biggest deterrent.
Suggested Bet: Shockletz @ $3.50
Sandown Hillside Race 6
#10 Kirribilli
Kirribilli is over the odds. The Snitzel mare is coming off a forgive run first-up, and her performance prior in Stakes company was first-class. She strips fitter as a result of recent racing, and her best performance here would see her figure in the finish. I suspect she has the most upside among her key rivals, and a win on Wednesday could catapult her into some serious events deeper into the spring. Take on trust.
Bronte Beach looks well placed in this grade. The Justify mare flopped first-up against some serious opposition, and I suspect she can bounce back at this level. She finds her pet distance, and I expect her to pilot the field with a clean break from the barriers. The 55kg is luxurious, and her opening quote has been nibbled at. If she can recapture her mojo she may prove hard to run down. Acid test.
Steel Trap will start race favourite despite producing a poor first-up performance at Flemington. The drop in grade is advantageous, and the 54.5kg brings him into all winning calculations. Barrier one will ensure he runs out a strong 1400m, and his second-up record must be respected. It may pay dividends to forgive and forget his fresh outing. A winning result wouldn’t surprise his supporters.
Suggested Bet: Kirribilli @ $11.00
