SANDOWN LAKESIDE May 26

A rare Sandown Saturday but love betting this track, we on inner circle Lakeside here rail 2m (was 5m) when it was better away from fence but never a disadvantage on pace. But we also have two feature jumps and soft 5 is fair morning assessment but expected to improve. A couple of Weiritis specials as well to multi up.

BEST BET: LUCKY FOR ALL R6#1 into FIFTY STARS R9#1

BEST VALUE: ARTIE DEE TWO R2 #3

Race 1: 10-5-6-7

So the week Black Caviar’s first foal Oscietra retires with 2 wins from 5, the hype continues with son PRINCE OF CAVIAR on debut after encouraging jumpouts. Goes up favourite, will be winning races and maybe even this, but I don’t want to back it here. There are others on debut who also have ability, SCIPIO (half to Savabeel – btn Prince Of Caviar home in a jumpout) and TAHITIAN DANCER (scr a few times before this) but going GANGIKA on what I saw at Ballarat (heavy 8) even though it was unwanted at $41. (Last year’s Cliff’s Edge won that race). From that same race HOLY RAISE was good after being slow out and probably can possie up closer and be hard to beat.

SUGGESTED: Not getting carried away, but GANGIKA will be over the odds again.

Race 2: 3-19-14-1

ARTIE DEE TWO (first one for the day for Weir) has come back well, toughed it out on pace to beat DANE THUNDER at Ballarat and believe there is more to come (did miss run when scratched behind barrier last Sat). TAHI gets a run (stable had hot day Werribee Fri) is lightly raced, put away after one start early spring when well tried and not good enough. Looks to have done plenty in trial and jumpout wins, alley a slight concern but Oliver on at 54kg is positive sign. OVERSTEP has been a long time between wins but ok behind Jaws of Steel (see later) at Caulfield. PRINCETON SPIRIT only has one small blemish. Don’t want to ignore. Is a winner and well in with claim.

SUGGESTED: Open, backing ARTIE DEE TWO (was 13 in $8.50 early).

Race 3: 8-1-5-11

LYCURGUS found right grade and run to win impressively Hillside last start BM78. On paper this should be tougher. It isn’t. Can win again. EXALTED LIGHTNING had freshen off sound Adelaide Cup run when chased talented YOGI, that’s good enough for this.  MY PSYCHIATRIST ran last Flemington off fresh up 2100m win this track. Obviously forgiving latest. NOUEMEA was plain last time and long time between wins but previous placings here give him place hope.

SUGGESTED: LYCURGUS still on the up suits.

Race 4: 6-1-2-10

Just thinking the 5kg is enough to lean THE DOMINATOR over the obvious GOLD MEDALS. THE DOMINATOR was making his chasing debut at The Bool but couldn’t have been more impressive keeping KING KAMADA out and meets it 2kg anyway. But will need to make the necessary improvement and may have more leg speed than last year’s winner who landed the Bool chasing double in sterling style. Can’t see another threat. ZATAGLIO survived at Casterton to win by 6 lens last week.

SUGGESTED: Thinking more legs in THE DOMINATOR for this.

Race 5: 7-2-1-4

Looks SELF SENSE to me, won its maiden hurdle by 10 then beat Kiwia (luckily) on the flat and terrific in Wagga Cup. Too much flat class and of course he is a brilliant 1/1 hurdling. TWO HATS is 2/5 (2 2nds), beat HONEY STEEL’S GOLD at The Bool and ANCIENT KING was 3rd (and made too many mistakes).

SUGGESTED: They all have to beat SELF SENSE (and doubt they will).

Race 6: 1-7-2-14

LUCKY FOR ALL has to win this. Beat the exciting FURRION with gun ride and brilliant acceleration Caulfield, doubt 3kg lift after claim is an issue. Beat stablemate HEAVENLY THOUGHT (who heads to Brisbane R2) at The Bool who then went straight to Hillside and was dominant. JOHNNY VINKO may be better with a sit and chase but solid fitness grounding, GREYCLIFFE was poor on pace last time but better graded here. ESCALATOR is a young stayer looking better as trips are longer. Big overs.

SUGGESTED: Back LUCKY FOR ALL if you like the shorts. Around $1.60 is right quote.

RACE 7: 11-9-8-2

JAWS OF STEEL is 2/3 from Weir including last 2 in strong pattern style, position up and grind it out. Have to like the no-fuss approach and with Jamaican Rain (and King Rivere removed, appeals as clear top pick. GALAXY RAIDER in next – had chance but was denied at end of 1600m by determined winner (who failed last Sat). back to 1400m and Lakeside (won here 2 back) is a bonus. DIVINE MR ARTIE backs up, gets a chance as does free running PEACOCK – track pattern a key to chances.

SUGGESTED: JAWS OF STEEL is not making any mistakes right now.

Race 8: 4-1-3-8

The early push points us to HONEY ESPIRIT (as does form) – Platinum Angel form good enough for this and references others. Goes to the 1600m for 1st time but pattern is good, keeps out of trouble, races forward. PALAZZO VECCHIO is the opposite, needs traffic and tempo luck to go its way. Can happen but 5 good runs this campaign without wins. VELOCITA had excuses G1 Adelaide last time. Gets advantageous run here. SMOOTH LANDING might be best value off two good Peaceful State runs.

SUGGESTED: HONEY ESPIRIT on top.

Race 9: 1-5-4-9

Got to wait till the last for the best. FIFTY STARS unbeaten into this will just keep improving. Beat ANDAZ from the front (and I think perhaps better trailing) Hillside last time and although that horse has 2.5kg, that doesn’t measure improving ability. Fifty Stars is a Group horse. Took $3. Andaz was excellent against the Fifty Stars tempo at Sandown, will chase again and be a solid quinella horse. WASSERGEIST was horrible at Caulfield but off resuming Pakenham win, showed its better ability. DANGER DEAL (also in Adelaide) escapes Peaceful State and that is a good measure of form.

SUGGESTED: Load up FIFTY STARS.

QUADDIE:

1

2-3-8-9

1-3-4-6-8-9-11-12

1

$35 for 100%