The Group 1 Moir Stakes at Sandown is the featured event this Saturday, while Royal Randwick hosts the Group 2 Chelmsford Stakes meeting.
Sandown RACE 6
#2 Closer To Free
Closer To Free was good without winning fresh. The Street Boss colt strips fitter as a result, and his second-up record speaks for itself. The step-out trip plays in his favour, and his opening quote has been met with significant support since acceptances. He meets easier opposition here, and he finds his ideal conditions. Hard to toss!
Blind Raise resumes with an air of expectation. The Ace High gelding was dominant during his debut campaign, and the form around him reads well for this event. The inside draw is advantageous, and the key appointment of Blake Shinn could prove a training masterstroke. This looks harder; however, he could reach a new level in the spring.
Suggested Bet: Closer To Free @ $2.30
Sandown Race 7
#2 Evaporate
Evaporate caught the eyes of punters fresh. The Per Incanto gelding was only grabbed in the shadows on top of a hot speed, and I suspect he strips fitter as a result of his resilient performance. His second-up record is near perfect, and he is undefeated at the track and trip. He will look the winner as they cut the ribbons!
Ten Commandments is a model of consistency. The Palentino gelding is never far away, and he deserves his crack at this level on Saturday. The Ciaron Maher polish will play a role, and his opening quote has been more than nibbled at. The carpark draw may decide his fate during the opening stanza.
Suggested Bet: Evaporate @ $2.30
#13 Natural Fling
Natural Fling destroyed a decent field in the Group 3 Quezette Stakes at Caulfield. The lightly raced three-year-old filly has upside galore, and she gets in extremely well under the weight-for-age conditions on Saturday. She strips fitter as a result of her fresh heroics, and the McEvoy camp and Jamie Melham combination should give her rivals sleepless nights leading into the event. This is her hardest test to date, however; she could be one out of the box. Acid Test.
Cavalry Girl is flying at present. The Bivouac mare is progressing through her grades with ease, and I suspect she has the fitness edge on her rivals after a lengthy winter preparation. Her turn off foot puts one hoof on the till, and I expect her to play a role inside the final furlong with even luck in transit. The Craig Williams booking speaks volumes, and her opening quote has had plenty of attention. The significant class rise is the primary concern.
Suggested Bet: Natural Fling @ $2.40
Sandown Race 9
#5 Amenable
Amenable is ready to cause the biggest boil-over since Polly left the kettle on. The Lonhro gelding is a noted first-up performer, and he looks incredibly well-placed meeting easier opposition. The 55kg featherweight is advantageous, and his resilience alone puts him into contention at a price. The form around him is first-class, and his best performance here could prove a times-and-margins job. His recent winning record is the primary concern.
Persian Spirit has been well found in the market after producing an eye-catching performance fresh at Caulfield. His second-up record can’t be ignored, and the longer trip plays into his favour. The inside draw could prove decisive, and I expect him to play a role as heads turn for home. His racing pattern and style are the biggest deterrents.
Suggested Bet: Amenable @ $21.00
Royal Randwick Race 7
#5 Private Eye
Private Eye is watching you! The veteran galloper was super fresh behind the inform and Group 1 placed Cosmic Crusader, and he finds his pet trip on Saturday. He excels second-up and has simply been an owner’s dream throughout the journey. From the wide gate, Nash Rawiller will have the big boy sit outside the leader, and if he can grab a margin at the dip, he will prove hard to run down. Ready to win!
Idle Flyer will start a short-priced favourite. The Dundeel mare was good without threatening behind Autumn Glow, and I suspect she entered most punters’ little black books. She is undefeated second-up, and 1400m is arguably her pet trip. She can win, however; she may need luck getting off the dulex as the whips are cracking.
Suggested Bet: Private Eye @ $4.00
Royal Randwick Race 9
#2 Lindermann
Lindermann won this event last year after producing a similar effort fresh in the Winx Stakes. He excels on top of the ground, and she motors at this stage of her campaign. He looks the likely leader on paper, and his pilot is arguably in career-best form. The awkward draw is a concern; however, his best here looks unstoppable. In Nash we trust!
Ceolwulf caught the eyes of punters fresh. He strips fitter, and he traditionally improves second-up. The stable knows how to peak their gallopers when required, and their turn off foot when fully wound-up is sensational. I suspect he needs another run under his belt and slightly further.
Suggested Bet: Lindermann @ $3.00
