SANDOWN Lakeside Wednesday November 22.
Back on the lakeside surface here with rail true. Another hot day in Melbourne so track will continue to firm of its morning “4” rating. At least it’s back to city racing mid-week but highest graded race is a BM70. Tough start to the day too.
BEST BET: ALMALITA (Race 4 #2)
BEST VALUE: PREVAILING WINDS (Race 3 #4)
Race 1: 7-6-9-4
Three clear winning hopes and not much between TRENT, SINJAREE and LADY MAHALA but going Trent, third run in – fitter, no luck in transit last time and blinkers going on. Sinjaree should learn from keen debut experience while blinkers replace the visor on the experienced but still winless Lady Mahala.
SUGGESTED: Back Trent.
Race 2: 4-3-2-1
Again small field but four winning chances or not much between – in my order – OCEAN DEEP, BELLA MARTINI, KARDASHING and EGYPTIAN BULLET. Reason leaning towards Ocean Deep is did things wrong on debut in Kilmore but still got the job done. Interestingly, winkers go on now. Should have learned from that experience. Obviously a lot to like about Bella Martini’s maiden win before a break.
SUGGESTED: OCEAN DEEP on top in tough little race.
Race 3: 4-1-2-5
Another tough race with six last start winners bringing a raft of different form lines together. Not much would surprise here. But taking gamble on PREVAILING WINDS who is resuming as a gelding for Weir (he also has HOLY FREEZE, a heavy track winner on debut). Of the winners ALSVIN and HOAGLAND – both with gear changes – have had form franked beating subsequent winners. ECHO JET obviously bounced out of the ground with blinkers in back in Newcastle
SUGGESTED: Having a gamble PREVAILING WINDS.
Race 4: 2-1-7-10
Had to like the expected tenacity of ALMALITA’s win at Cranbourne from the very much in form in Melbourne stable of Waterhouse/Bott. ANEMOI was good enough to run 2nd in the Bagot and after three runs back should be ready for this BM 64, just got too far back at Mortlake. MICHELIN got too far back at Ballarat and significantly C Williams takes over. STREET SPUN did beat Almalita home at the Valley but the top tip has run and won since.
SUGGESTED: Very keen ALMALITA
Race 5: 8-10-9-1
Many leaning to PRIA ECLIPSE off good Flemington Country Cup run (Another Coldie has since won) but still have concerns with a 2 from 27 strike rate (10 2nds). Obviously form says yes, pocket says be wary. So having something on FUDGED who found some winning form, albeit in a BM58 but is a city winner. ATOMIC KITTEN is also off a BM58 win but has claims. GOLD BLUSH got the blows in bettering ($3.5 to $6) last time and ran as expected. Can improve.
SUGGESTED: Wide in quaddie, but having something on FUDGED.
Race 6: 7-8-4-10
LAST WEEK is ready to win, been a little costly but with a tongue tie and against this opposition, is in the right race to break through. ALMIGHTY drops sharply in grade from the Carbine Club where had very little luck and ended up only 5 lengths from the winner, and should have been closer. MAGELLAN is racing well, is a threat, POP QUEEN went straight to the front at Mornington and hung on.
SUGGESTED: Right race for LAST WEEK.
Race 7: 1-9-8-5
HARBOUR GREY drops from the BM90 of the Cup weeks Greys race where he just missed (again) to the BM70 here though obviously has the weight increase to deal with, but does look the one to beat. MACATTACK resumes, has jumped out well and has shown ability good enough for this grade. SEE ME FLY was slowly away at Mornington and found line. RAPID ASSET comes through same race and was a 2nd-up winner last campaign.
SUGGESTED: HARBOUR GREY clear top pick.
Race 8: 1-5-7-12
It was a narrow win at Hamilton but liked the way MINOAN SPIRIT knuckled down. Stays at 1400m which I’d suggest is as short as wants. The well-bred BEDFORD resumes, its maiden win was at 2000m but has more upside than many of these. COOL RUNNINGS is the only ride of the day for D Oliver. Former Kiwi galloper (only win 1950m) who goes in quaddies and thoughts. PARALLEL WORLD was good resuming. Is over the odds.
SUGGESTED: Respecting COOL RUNNINGS but MINOAN SPIRIT top pick.
QUADDIE:
1-8-9-10-11
7-8
1-6-8-9
1-5-7-12
$80 for 50%.