Kensington and Sandown Hillside are the feature meetings this Wednesday. With the current season coming to a close and the spring majors within touching distance, who will stand up and make a name for themselves? Find out below who our experts expect to take home the mid-week cash!
Kensington Race 5
#1 Epic Proportions
Epic Proportions is the best of the day on a tricky and competitive mid-week winter program. The Better Than Ready gelding has been racing well without scoring this campaign, and he finds a very winnable assignment on Wednesday. The significant drop in class puts one hoof on the till, and the 2kg apprentice claim could prove decisive. Hard to toss!
Negotiations is over the odds. The I Am Invincible gelding is racing better than it reads in the bible, and he looks well placed in this company. He meets easier opposition, and the 2kg apprentice claim brings him into all winning conversations. The Ciaron Maher factor must be respected, and he has been well supported at a price since markets opened. His recent winning record is the primary concern.
Vanessi is a talented Too Darn Hot filly. The enigmatic three-year-old has progression and upside for days, and I suspect she is ready to peak third-up from a spell on Wednesday. The inside draw is advantageous; if the favourite has an off-day or experiences traffic issues, she can capitalise late. It may pay dividends to follow her moving forward, regardless of the result of this event.
Suggested Bet: Epic Proportions @ $2.00
Kensington RACE 6
#7 Pink Shalala
Pink Shalala is knocking on the door. The Shalaa gelding is racing consistently well without winning, and I suspect he has the fitness edge on the majority of his rivals after a lengthy campaign. Barrier one throws the Raygun amongst the pigeons, and he seems to grow and extra leg on top of the ground. The Chris Waller polish will attract late market support, and his record at the trip must be respected. Each way all day!
Russian Roni can run a drum at a decent price. The Russian Revolution gelding has finished close-up all preparation, and he deserves his shot in town on Wednesday. His Queensland form reads well for this event, and I suspect his best performance here could be fences and panels better than his rivals. He tends to find one or two better at the pointy end of a contest.
Who Ever Thought is chasing a hat-trick of victories. The Panzer Division gelding meets a similar field, and it’s hard to knock his winning form this preparation. The big boy is building an enviable career record and looks like the likely leader on paper. If he can cheat the clock during the race’s early stages, the picket fence will grow longer next to his name. The grandstand weight is the primary concern.
Suggested Bet: Pink Shalala @ $5.00
Sandown Hillside Race 6
#14 New Sovereign
New Sovereign will start the race favourtie despite jumping from a different postcode. His recent jumpouts were mouthwatering, and the Sea The Moon gelding is unbeaten fresh. The 1300m is in his wheelhouse, and the flood of early money indicates another bold and forward showing. The useful five-year-old is better than this grade, and if he can find the bunny uncontested during the early stages of the racing, it could be a demolition job.
Anahita is in the mix. The Shalaa mare is at a decent double-figure quote, and she has been well supported since fields were finalised. Barrier one will allow her to occupy the box-seat throughout, and if she sees daylight as they run for the doctor, she can make her presence felt late. She needs to put another victory on the board!
Vienna Vixen is a model of consistency. The Foxwedge mare hasn’t missed a top-four gurnsey this campaign, and she finds a very winnable against the usual suspects on Wednesday. Her record at the journey is teasing, and she has drawn extremely poor. Her racing pattern and style will always require an element of good fortune.
Suggested Bet: New Sovereign @ $6.00
Sandown Hillside Race 7
#9 Jennivamoose
Jennivamoose was a brilliant last-start winner at the track and trip. The Vadamos mare was super impressive, and I suspect she entered most punters’ little black books. The 2400m suits her to a tee, and I expect her to get the run of the race from a perfect inside draw. The Blake Shinn and Ciaron Maher combination must be respected, and I expect her quote to shorten significantly before the barriers open. The one to beat.
Romans Luck is coming off a forgive run fresh with genuine excuses. The Polanski gelding traditionally improves dramatically second-up, and he is a mile-and-a-half specialist. Barrier four will help his case, and his record with the sting out of the ground reads well for his supporters. He unfortunately suffers from the Goldilocks syndrome; he needs everything to go ‘just right’ in-transit. Take on trust.
St Vincents Garden was a healthy last-start winner at Geelong. The Camelot gelding possesses a devastating turn of foot, and I suspect there is huge engine under his bonnet. His record beyond 2000m puts him into all winning calculations, and he deserves his shot at this level. If he can find an extra length or gear when the whips are cracking, he can upset his more credentialed and fancied rivals. Keep safe.
Suggested Bet: Jennivamoose @ $5.50
