Kensington and Sandown Lakeside are the places to be this Wednesday, with competitive fields and strong prize money on offer.
Kensington Race 5
#2 Conchiero
Conchiero was good without winning fresh. The Pierata gelding strips fitter as a result of recent racing, and he looks the likely leader on paper. The current track conditions suit to a tee, and the early market support tells a story. The 2kg apprentice claim is advantageous, and his record at the trip must be respected. Hard to toss.
Iceman is a model of consistency. The Rubick gelding doesn’t know how to run a bad race, and the big boy is always thereabouts. He finds a winnable assignment on Wednesday, and the inside draw puts him to all serious conversations. His double-figure quote has been more than nibbled at, and he is rock-hard fit after a lengthy campaign. Too honest to pot!
Winston Hills is over the odds. The Invader gelding is racing better than it suggests in the bible, and a victory here wouldn’t surprise. The 2kg apprentice claim could prove significant, and the perfect inside draw will ensure a soft trip in transit. A must for all broader multiples and exotics.
Suggested Bet: Conchiero @ $3.70
Kensington RACE 6
#7 Sapling
Sapling is ready to win. All runs this campaign have been good without scoring, and I suspect she is ready to peak on Wednesday. The drop back in trip suits, and she meets the usual suspects. The addition of blinkers could prove fruitful, and she has been specked in most markets. Hard to toss!
Infusion looks well placed, dropping sharply in grade. The I Am Invincible mare boasts form around proven gallopers, and her wet form must be respected. She will drop back early from the carpark draw, and if she can stay in touch with the peloton during the middle stages of the event, she may prove hard to hold out. Her recent winning record is the primary concern.
Lull will have plenty of supporters after a solid campaign to date. The Exceed And Excel filly attacked the line at her latest outing, and I suspect she has been trained to the minute for Wednesday’s assignment. The camp are flying at present, and the longer trip could prove a training masterstroke. Her racing pattern and style always requires an element of good fortune.
Suggested Bet: Sapling @ $5.00
Sandown Lakeside Race 6
#13 Cinturato
Cinturato oozes class. The Shamus Award gelding has been climbing through the grades successfully this campaign, and I suspect he has more upside and progression than his rivals. The soft conditions suit, and the apprentice’s claim could prove decisive. His victory in the slop at Warrnambool is still fresh in the memory bank, and his opening quote has folded faster than Superman on laundry day. Major player!
Prince Tycoon is racing well at present. The Written Tycoon gelding is ready to explode third-up from a spell, and he looks well placed in this company. The inside draw helps his cause, and the 2kg apprentice claim reduces the allocated grandstand weight. The yard is airborne at present, and I expect his quote to shorten before the barriers open. In the mix!
Wolfy can threaten with even luck in transit. The Tivaci gelding’s best performance could prove fences and panels better than his rivals, and a victory here wouldn’t surprise. He enjoys getting his toe in, and he will be storming down the outside during the pointy end of the contest if he is presented accordingly. He unfortunately needs everything to go right plus some. Take on trust.
Suggested Bet: Cinturato @ $6.00
Sandown Lakeside Race 7
#3 Dark Simba
Dark Simba was an impressive last-start winner at Bendigo. The So You Think gelding put his rivals to the sword a long way from home, and he meets a similar line-up. His record on the trip is near-perfect, and he excels with give in the ground. His opening quote went quicker than last week’s pay, and he looks the best bet on an open and competitive mid-week program. Yes please!
Funchal is over the odds. The Western Australian makes her debut for the Price and Kent Jnr stable, and her best performance her would see her fight out the finish. The Playing God mare is versatile, and her exposed form reads well for this Benchmark 70 event. I would prefer to support her case over further and deeper into her preparation.
Blue Willow looks of the best weighted committees on the program. The Blue Point mare caught the eyes of punters late at her latest outing, and she finds the ideal assignment on Wednesday. The Ciaron Maher polish will play a role, and the middle draw puts her into all winning calculations. The class rise is her biggest obstacle. Acid test!
Suggested Bet: Dark Simba @ $3.70
