A cold and wet winters day in Melbourne today but at Sandown Park later tonight that action will be very hot with two heats of the Victorian National Sprint over the 515 meter trip. Only two heats but they are two very jam packed superstar heats. Let’s find some winners!
In RACE 2 of the night I am selecting SIMON KEEPING (8) to be to classy in this 1-3 win heat. He has recently moved to NSW and joined the sensational kennel of Martin Hallinan. With a 9 hour drive from the Hallinan kennels to Sandown Park I expect this dog to make the long trip worthwhile. Drawn perfectly out in box 8 to sit outside the early leaders and be to strong to the line. The dog has trialled some flying times and if he sitting on the lure out in front he will be winning and running some nice time.
WIN BET – SIMON KEEPING
RACE 6 on the card is heat 1 of the Victorian National Sprint which looks a super race. A very difficult race to select a clear cut winner as I can find ways for majority of them to win. LUCKY CHAP (1) has come up with the perfect draw here and deserves to be favourite. Was a touch disappointing in the final of the Shepparton Cup last start getting ran down by Zinzan Brooke but should be better for the run. Drawing the inside is a huge advantage in these big races and if he can spear to the front then could be hard to hold out. ASTON BOLERO (3), BLACK MUMBO (5), STRIKER LIGHT (7) & EXTREME MAGIC (8) are superstars and I can see any of them winning but I just expect LUCKY CHAP to have to much early burn for them to the first turn from the good draw. Our followers would know that I love ALPHA LUCKY (2) for Irishman Jack Buckley. The dog was super in the final of the Shepp Cup last start from a terrible draw and getting shuffled back early, he hit the line strongly to finish 4th. I actually think he can sit behind LUCKY CHAP tonight and if he is close enough coming to the home turn he can sneak the win. He will need some luck but at the big odds he is worth an each way ticket. Hopefully its a LUCKY night!
WIN BET – LUCKY CHAP
EACH WAY BET – ALPHA LUCKY
RACE 8 is the 2nd heat of the Victorian National Sprint which again has stars everywhere you look. ASTON DEE BEE (1) has finally drawn a decent box here and if he can get the start right he will be very difficult to reel in. In his 34 start career he has only jumped once from box 1 which was a win so look for him to really use this box to his advantage. His kennel mate BEWILDERING (3) was sensational in running 2nd in the Shepparton Cup last start hitting the line extremely well which is a great sign for tonight. He has ran one the quickest times of the year here at Sandown Park (29.12) and if he can repeat a similar sort of run he will be hard to beat. MEPUNGA BLAZER (4) won the Group 1 Maturity Final last Saturday night in devastating fashion and has been untouchable since his return from a spell. He moves from The Meadows across the city to Sandown Park tonight but he has also won here in a flying 29.23. If he gets any clear room early, watch out! WORM BURNER (5) won the South Australian National Sprint final last year and went on to win the Group 1 Nationals Final so he knows what it takes to win this event. He has since moved to Victoria and has continued to succeed especially here at Sandown Park. The box is a bit of a concern tonight but if MEPUNGA BLAZER can give him some room early he will be right up there. RAW ABILITY (6) showed plenty of that on Saturday night with his BON 25.05 win at Shepparton. On his day this dog can running the hands off the clock but his box manners can let him down. If he pings the lids and can cross early he will be hard to run down.
A very difficult betting race but I think BEWILDERING (3) is worth having a each way bet on at nice odds.
EACH WAY BET – BEWILDERING
The final race of the night I am having a win bet on number 1 FLAWLESS BLING for the Westerlo kennel. This son of Barcia Bale x Lady Bling was very unlucky last start at Sandown and with drawing the pole position he will hunt up on the rail and send us home with on pockets filled. He will need to bring his best box manners though to be able to hold the rail but if he does then he should be to strong to the line.
WIN BET – FLAWLESS BLING
SPECIAL BET:
Also for people that are interested I really like the look of BOGIE BEKIM in race 6 at ANGLE PARK tonight at 9:04pm. Has been off the scene for 77 days due to injury but the dog has been flying in trials and has drawn perfectly in box 8. Currently around the $2.50 mark looks a great bet!
Good luck and Happy Punting!