Nine races have been set this Saturday at Ladbrokes Park Sandown.
With plenty of rain about in Melbourne, the track is currently rated a Heavy 9 with the rail out 8m around the circuit.
As always, we’ve run the rule over the entire program and offer our best bets below.
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Race 1 – IVE > Print Handicap (1000m)
Happy to have something on Peter Moody’s promising two-year-old Winning Revolution in the first.
The son of Winning Rupert ran second to Aitch Two Oh on debut at Morphettville, a form-line that reads well with that horse going on to run a place in Group 3 company recently.
He went on claim his maiden win at Sale ac couple of weeks ago with a bursting run after settling on the pace, and that also looks good on paper. Fitter and with Luke Nolen sticking, he should be tough to beat.
Race 2 – Ladbroke It! Handicap (1000m)
Quite keen on The Gauch here in his first run back.
This son of Deep Field enjoyed a successful spring that saw him win at Sale enforce going on to run a place at Flemington and fourth in a BM84 at Flemington behind recent Echuca Cup winner Not To Be Mist.
He’s won and placed twice from four starts first-up, while he’s also a horse that handles a bit of sting out of the track.
Race 3 – Ladbrokes Switch Handicap (1600m)
Parisian Dancer is a proven wet-tracker with three wins on heavy going to her name.
She flew home late to score first-up at Ballarat in those conditions and now sticks to the mile, a journey she won her maiden over second-up last year.
Declan Bates retains the ride which is a big plus, and if he can shuffle across early and find cover, this daughter of Reliable Man will be tough to hold out.
Race 4 – Thoroughbred Club Handicap (1600m)
Hard to argue with the performance Star Of Chaos produced here last week.
The Zoustar filly rolled straight to the front and kicked clear to win by a whopping seven lengths in similar conditions.
Clearly she’s going well enough to return on the quick backup, and with the claim put to good use from a similar draw, the value is too good to ignore.
Race 5 – Tile Importer Handicap (1300m)
Arranmore has been a slightly frustrating horse to follow during her short career, but she does have enough wet track form to suggest conditions will suit.
The Chris Waller-trained three-year-old finished only two lengths off at Flemington two back and is worth forgiving on her latest start where she got away slowly and was never really in it.
She should be rock-hard fit now after resuming back in February, and with next to no weight on her back, I think she’s a good bet to make amends.
Race 6 – Ladbrokes Mates Mode Handicap (2400m)
Siding with Gate Crash, who steps out in search of his hat-trick following an impressive win on the Lakeside track last week.
Patrick Payne’s four-year-old overcame a wide run in transit to hit the front coming out of the turn, racing away to win by a comfortable margin.
His fresh win was equally as impressive and out to 2400m looks no issue based on what he’s produced so far. Jockey change is the only query, but if he isn’t held up down the straight this time, he’ll be tough to beat.
Race 7 – Ladbrokes Mega Multi Handicap (1600m)
Looking the way of Chief Altony, who goes around at value with conditions to suit.
The son of Rebel Raider won in heavy conditions on the Lakeside track last week where he gapped second by nearly four lengths.
Last time he raced over the mile he finished a clear second to eventual Doncaster Mile winner Mr Brightside, so he’s proven in much tougher races than this. Back on another wet track, the current price is a steal.
Race 8 – Ladbrokes Same Race Multi Handicap (1300m)
Beehunter is a genuine type that really hasn’t put a foot wrong this time in work for John Sadler.
Given, he’s been up for a while, but he’s done well to hold his form and return a win and a place from his last three starts.
His only start on heavy going came at Caulfield back in 2020, so he is a genuine query in these conditions. Still, recent form reads well, and most importantly, he’s won here at Sandown previously.
Race 9 – Ladbrokes Punter Assist Handicap (1800m)
Difficult race to end the program, but I’m keen to have something on Mankayan back from a freshen-up.
The European import won at Caulfield first-up last month where he found the clear 200m from home to run down the leader right before the line.
His fresh record makes for easy reading, and so too does the recent form of the Maher and Eustace stable. Throw in a win on heavy going, and everything shapes up for a strong showing.
