Canterbury Park and Sandown Hillside are the key meetings this Wednesday. With competitive racing expected at both venues, and with plenty of value on offer, find out below who our experts are expecting to take home the mid-week chocolates!
Canterbury Race 5
#2 Fleet Commander
Fleet Commander was good without winning first-up at Canterbury. The Galileo gelding strips fitter after his recent outing, and he finds his pet distance second-up from a spell. The current track conditions will suit, and his camp are training winners for fun at present. The drop in grade is advantageous, and he has been well supported at a double-figure quote. Over the odds!
Camaguey is racing well at present. The Teofilo gelding is edging closer to his next breakthrough, and he meets easier opposition on Wednesday. The step out in trip plays into his favour, and the 3kg apprentice claim brings him into all winning conversations. He needs to put another victory the board.
Mizella will have supporters after producing a consistent campaign to date. The inside draw puts one hoof on the till, and the form around her has repeatedly stood up. The Too Darn Hot filly gets in nicely under the handicap conditions and has been heavily supported since acceptances. Her racing pattern and style will always require an element of good fortune.
Suggested Bet: Fleet Commander @ $15.00
Canterbury RACE 6
#7 Believe In Angels
Believe In Angels is ready to win. Both starts this campaign have been good without getting the chocolates, and I suspect he is ready to peak third-up from a spell on Wednesday. The Echoes Of Heaven gelding is undefeated at the trip, and he meets the usual suspects here. From the wide gate, he will roll forward and pilot the field, and if he is allowed to dictate the clock throughout, he may prove hard to run down. He tends to find one or two better at the pointy end of a contest.
Code In Time resumes after a successful summer campaign. The Encryption gelding put a string of winners together, and I suspect he will handle this company on his ear. The 2kg apprentice claim could prove a training masterstroke, and his recent barrier trials have been mouthwatering. Jumping from another postcode is the primary concern.
First Person is over the odds. The All Too Hard mare is a model of consistency, and the enigmatic four-year-old rarely misses a top-five finish. The 2kg apprentice claim strengthens her chances, and she handles all track conditions. She will roll forward and throw her hat in the ring, and if she can find the bunny uncontested, the fat lady will be singing as they run for the doctor. Acid test!
Suggested Bet: Believe In Angels @ $4.60
Sandown Race 6
#1 Slane
Slane is winning for fun at present. The Highland Reel is chasing a hat-trick of victories, and he looks well placed to continue on his winning ways. The 3kg apprentice claim could prove decisive, and his record at the trip must be respected. His versatility is exceptional, and the punters have gravitated to the big boy since markets were framed. The awkward barrier draw is the primary concern.
Bluestone will start race favourite after producing a consistent campaign to date. The Reliable Man gelding has performed gamely in some hot form races and looks superbly placed in this company. The 2400m is in his wheelhouse, and I suspect he has the fitness edge on his rivals after a lengthy and fruitful campaign. I am unsure where he gets to during the race’s early stages from barrier fourteen.
Hollandia can run a drum at a decent price. The So You Think gelding is super honest, and he deserves his shot at this level on Wednesday. The key appointment of the inform Linda Meech speaks volumes, and there has been a sprinkling of support for the big boy at the cricket-score odds in early betting. He can cause a major over if his more fancied rivals spend all their tickets early.
Suggested Bet: Slane @ $6.50
Sandown Race 8
#2 He'll Rip
He’ll Rip represents great each way value. The Hellbent gelding was a brilliant first-up winner at Sandown, and I suspect he is in for a successful winter campaign. The progressive five-year-old has plenty of improvement to come for the campaign, and the step out to 1300m looks ideal at this stage of his spell. The perfect inside draw brings him into all winning calculations, and the apprentice claim gives him every chance to record back-to-back victories. It may pay dividends to follow him moving forward.
Glenfinnan resumes with an air of expectation. The Puissance De Lune was rock-solid during the summer months, and I suspect he is fully wound up for a first-up tilt. His recent barrier trials raised eyebrows, and I expect his quote to shorten significantly before the barriers open. His recent form reads incredibly well for this event, and the 3kg apprentice claim puts him into the mix. I would prefer to promote him deeper into his preparation over a longer trip.
Grid Girl is knocking on the door. All runs this campaign have been good without winning, and I suspect she finds her easiest assignment for the preparation. The Time Test mare rarely runs a poor race, and the punters usually rally behind her late before the jump. If she can put her potential and ability together on race day, she can turn over her more fancied and experienced rivals. Take on trust!
Suggested Bet: He’ll Rip @ $8.00
