Sandown Lakeside and Rosehill Gardens are the places to be this Saturday. With a menagerie of Black Type up for grabs at both venues, February racing has never looked so good! Find out who our experts are expecting to take home the cash.
Sandown Lakeside Race 7
#6 Mr Verse
Mr Verse has made an impressive start to his racing career. The Lope De Vega gelding possesses a sizzling turn of foot, and his versatility is well beyond his age and limited race experience. The enigmatic three-year-old deserves his shot at this level, and the flood of early money indicates he is up to the challenge. His barrier manners and his ability to find trouble in transit are the biggest deterrents.
Garnacho sprouted wings late to score at Flemington at his latest outing. The Ace High gelding was given a peach of a ride by the inform Damian Lane, and I suspect the pair can add another victory to their winning record on Saturday. The consistent three-year-old meets a similar field, and the 1800m looks ideal at this stage of his campaign. The awkward gate and grandstand weight are among the primary concerns.
Sandown Lakeside Race 8
#6 Revelare
Revelare has been heavily supported since acceptances. The $4 opening quote disappeared quicker than a vegan at a Bunnings sausage sizzle, and I suspect the So You Think gelding may start in the red. The inform four-year-old is building a picket fence next to his name, and he arguably should remain undefeated for his current campaign. The step out in trip is advantageous, and he is ideally drawn in a middle gate. Hard to toss!
Dragoon will have supporters after a consistent preparation to date. The Grunt gelding very rarely runs a poor race, and his best here could be fences and panels better than his opposition. Barrier one puts him into all winning conversations, and the key appointment of Blake Shinn puts one hoof on the till. He tends to find one or two better at the pointy end of a race.
Suggested Bet: Revelare @ $2.50
#10 So Glamorous
So Glamorous is knocking on the door. The So You Think mare has filled the bridesmaid position on several occasions this campaign, and she looks extremely dangerous after producing an impressive jump-out in between runs. Barrier three will allow her to camp behind the speed, and if she sees daylight before the final furlong, I expect her to prove too strong late. Her recent winning record is the primary concern.
Coeur Volante resumes with an air of expectation. The Proisir mare has turned plenty of heads during the early stages of her career, and I suspect she still has plenty of progression and improvement to come. The 1200m is in her wheelhouse, and she looks well placed in this company. From barrier nine, she will drift back and find her hooves, and if Blake Shinn presses the go button at the right time, she will loom to win. Her racing pattern and style will always require an element of good fortune.
Suggested Bet: So Glamorous @ $10.00
Rosehill Gardens Race 7
#9 Starman
Starman looks poised to cause a boilover on the quick backup. The Zoustar gelding has been agonisingly close to victory his past three starts, and he finds a winnable assignment on Saturday. The drop back to 1350m could prove a training masterstroke, and the tsunami of early money indicates another forward and bold performance. His ability to snatch defeat out of the jaws of victory is the primary concern.
Shangri La Express has promised the world and delivered a donut. The Alabama Express gelding is fast approaching D-Day, and I suspect the camp are running out of answers. The 1350m is a positive, and the handicapper has missed him with the generous allocated weight. The definition of take on trust!
Suggested Bet: Starman @ $11.00
Rosehill Gardens Race 8
#5 Willaidow
Willaidow is ready to pounce. The Shamus Award gelding progressed nicely through his grades last preparation, and he looks like he has a big autumn campaign ahead of him. I suspect the six-furlong journey is his pet distance, and he traditionally motors fresh. He should get all the favours in the run from the cherry, and if Tyler Schiller can angle the big boy off the dulex as they run for the doctor, I expect him to fight out the finish.
Hard To Say is racing well at present. The Exceed And Excel gelding has produced a top-four finish at his latest three outings, and he looks well placed in this company. The current track conditions will suit, and I suspect the James McDonald factor will attract plenty of market support. He will roll forward and give a good sight from the middle gate, and if he can cheat the clock throughout, he is a winning chance. His record past 1100m doesn’t read well.
Suggested Bet: Willaidow @ $4.20
Rosehill Gardens Race 9
#6 Time To Boogie
Time To Boogie is ready to get the punters dancing. The Sooboog gelding is racing better than it reads in the bible, and it may pay dividends to forget that he went around last start at Canterbury. The lightly raced five-year-old is a winner previously third-up from a spell, and a recent trial should give his rivals sleepless nights leading into Saturday’s event. The perennial front-runner will lead the field in a merry dance throughout, and he will look like the winner as they swing for home. His fate may be decided during the first furlong.
Inhibitions is too classy to dismiss. The Zoustar mare was a brilliant winner two starts back at Caulfield, and she had genuine excuses at her latest outing. The consistent Godolphin four-year-old meets easier opposition, and I suspect she is rock-hard fit after a lengthy preparation. The James McDonald and James Cummings combination must be respected, and if she can overcome a horror draw earlier, she can loom to win.
Suggested Bet: Time To Boogie @ $4.80
