Kensington and Sale are the feature meetings this Wednesday. With competitive Benchmark racing expected at both venues, and plenty of value on offer, find out below who our experts are expecting to take home the mid-week chocolates.
Kensington Race 5
#5 STAGNUM
Stagnum resumes with an air of expectation. During his winter campaign, the Exceedance gelding was rock-solid, and he finds a winnable first-up assignment. His recent barrier trial looked ominous, and he has been well supported since acceptances. The carpark draw and his recent winning record are among the primary concerns.
Verbil is racing well at present. The Fastnet Rock gelding was an impressive first-up winner at Scone, and he was game in defeat at Newcastle in a hot form race at his latest outing. He deserves his opportunity in town, and I suspect he has the fitness edge on the majority of his rivals. The class rise is his biggest obstacle.
The Replicant has been up longer than a ‘Big Bash’ season. The form around him reads extremely well for this event, and the consistent seven-year-old is showing no signs of slowing down. Barrier one puts him into all winning conversations, and he has been specked at a price. He tends to find or two better at the pointy end of a contest.
Suggested Bet: Stagnum @ $4.00
Kensington RACE 7
#3 HIGH BLUE SEA
High Blue Sea is knocking on the door. All runs this campaign have been good without winning, and the step out to 1400m looks ideal at this stage of his preparation. The inside draw is advantageous, and Tim Clark’s key booking could prove decisive. The big boy represents great each way value, however; his racing pattern and style always requires an element of good fortune. Major player.
Peace Officer was good without winning fresh at Warwick Farm. The longer trip plays into his favour, and his second-up record must be respected. The Iffraaj gelding traditionally performs well at the track, and I suspect he has plenty of improvement to come for the preparation. Big watch.
Well-timed is the class runner. The form around the enigmatic Idle Flyer reads incredibly well for this event, and I suspect he will appreciate the significant drop in class. His record at the seven-furlong trip must be respected, and there has been a flood of early money for the talented galloper. The grandstand weight and horrendous barrier draw are his biggest obstacles.
Suggested Bet: High Blue Sea @ $6.50
Sale Race 6
#8 BAZABALL REWARDED
Bazaball Rewarded looks the best bet on a tricky and competitive program. The Reward For Effort mare is currently winning for fun, and she looks extremely well placed on Wednesday. The progressive four-year-old has built a winning association with the inform Jamie Mott, and there has been a tsunami of money for the big girl in most all-in markets. Hard to toss!
Do It Now is over the odds. The Bel Esprit mare caught the eyes of punters late fresh at Warrnambool, and she meets similar opposition here. She strips fitter as a result of recent racing, and the current track conditions suit to a tee. The apprentice claim is advantageous, and I suspect her cricket-score odds will be cut in half before the barriers open. Not the worst!
Don’t Russia is the logical danger to the favourite. The Russian Revolution mare is a model of consistency, and I suspect she has the fitness edge on her rivals after a long and fruitful campaign to date. She finds her pet distance and has already tasted success at the track. She may need some luck getting off the dulex as they run for the doctor.
Suggested Bet: Bazaball Rewarded @ $1.70
Sale Race 8
#8 PERFECT PICTURE
Perfect Picture has one hoof on the till in the final event on the program. The Toronado mare was good without winning at Sandown, and the form out the race has been franked since. The apprentice claim could prove the winning difference, and camp are flying at present. The awkward gate and her recent winning record are among the primary concerns.
Espinho is racing well this campaign. All runs this preparation have been super honest, and he looks well placed in this company. The Written Tycoon gelding should be ready to peak at this stage of his campaign, and I suspect this event has been a long-range target from the astute Freedman and Yulong camps. The wide gate may determine his fate during the early stages of the event.
Barbaric Lad is ready to explode. Both runs this spell have been honest in a better grade, and The Brutal gelding finds his easiest assignment in a very long time. The inside draw will ensure the useful four-year-old has a soft trip in transit, and if he is presented with his run as heads turn for home, he may prove too strong late. He needs to put another victory on the board.
Suggested Bet: Perfect Picture @ $2.70
