The racing never stops and despite many punters still recovering from five Group 1s at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday, the action rolls on thick and fast with some juicy midweek metropolitan meetings coming up this Wednesday.
Our partners at Racepal have provided their analysis of every race on the Sandown Lakeside, Warwick Farm and Toowoomba cards to give you a head start on finding the winners.
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SANDOWN LAKESIDE
Track: Good 3
Rail: +3m entire
Weather: Fine
No rain in the lead up to race day in Melbourne, so expect a bit of irrigation at Sandown such is the pressure on the track managers! Last Wednesday the rail was in the true and it largely favoured those up on the speed, out to +3m here and much the same is expected.
RACE 1
Speed map/race shape: A two-year-old fillies maiden over 1200m kicks off the card, five on debut. Of those we’ve seen at the races, Angel Rock looks the speediest, especially now that she draws pole position. Inciter and Bush Christmas could settle forward if they so desired.
Advantaged runners: ANGEL ROCK is the box ticker here – she’s twice been competitive in nominally better company, gets an improved draw and has the services of a flying jockey in Jamie Kah. Likewise, MISS HARRIETTE gets a class drop from stakes company here, but she hasn’t been showing a lot of early speed. INCITER looked to have come on nicely from his first prep when running into the money at Morphettville. Of the debutants, IRONORE GINA brings the best credentials for success on debut.
RACE 2
Speed map/race shape: Mellors is the fastest early of this crowd and can bounce to the front and set up stall pretty comfortably. Elegant Tycoon, Makfly and Secretly Discreet can be handy from lower draws.
Advantaged runners: Eleven three-year-olds here to break their maiden status. SECRETLY DISCREET should be able to assume a prominent position from the inside gate with the blinkers going on. She’s run out of time at both starts when making ground so the step up to 1400m suits here. The form line through Stocktaka reads well for JUDGE O’REILLY and he can be competitive with a fitness advantage, while MATAMATA bears watching on debut.
RACE 3
Speed map/race shape: Smuggling has drawn barrier one and with the claiming apprentice on board should stroll to the front, with Cozhecancan sliding across and Lecture tucking in behind. Prahaar and Woman can take a comfortable midfield sit behind them.
Advantaged runners: After a year and a half away from the track and a stable change as well, WOMAN made a more than satisfactory return at Pakenham. The blue blood may have won if able to get to the outside of horses and go through her gears – she’ll go close here. LECTURE was over-run late at Pakenham, freshened for this and with a 3kg apprentice he can feature, while PRAHAAR and the Kiwi import PAINT THE TOWN have chances as well.
RACE 4
Speed map/race shape: There’s a few horses with some speed here, most notably Everywhere Mann and Persian Empire who can lead this. Expect Diamond Effort and No Shame to be handy, while Fergus Magergus and Zoumanor won’t want to get too far back.
Advantaged runners: It may only be a Class 1 but there’s some nice lighty-raced types who have futures in the city. This is a step up for DIAMOND EFFORT but she was ultra impressive when breaking her maiden at Cranbourne and she gets all the favours in the run. ZOUMANOR has followed a typically weird Laing preparation but he is dropping in grade here and has the figures to show up. If they’re making ground from the second half then MONTENEGRO MAN comes right into calculations, he was excellent in defeat in Adelaide and is threatening to strike at city level.
RACE 5
Speed map/race shape: Looks like the topweight Gaelic Dream will attempt to jump and run to the lead from barrier three, with Termeda to its outside and the likes of Valenciano, Tatiara and Debate from the widest gate handy to the speed.
Advantaged runners: There’s only one winner of multiple races among this crop of fillies, that being GAELIC DREAM, and she could again be hard to reel in if she controls the tempo. Perhaps the best chance to overhaul her is DEBATE, but it will require an aggressive ride from Dunn from the widest alley. She’s had genuine excuses at both runs this prep against tougher opposition. Of the remainder, FIRST TIER’s maiden win showed she’s a real racehorse when driving through a gap to score, while VALENCIANO is on an upward curve.
RACE 6
Speed map/race shape: Time for the stayers! Sir Edwin Landseer can lead but we can’t be sure that’s what the Williams team will do. Bianco Nuovo, Mr Drew and Wee Gilly are all likely to be up there as well.
Advantaged runners: The interest always centres around the Williams runners, but truth be told both DIALECTIC and SIR EDWIN LANDSEER have shown nothing in Australia so far. It could be a different story at 2400m though – watch the market. BIANCO NUOVO has been penalised for winning here a fortnight ago which hands the advantage to WEE GILLY and NOTHIN LEICA HIGH who ran the trifecta. On the surface, EXCLUSIVELY OURS is a filly with an unimpressive record but she’s spent her career tackling the top graders. She can springboard off her maiden win and make her presence felt here.
RACE 7
Speed map/race shape: Chavuma is stepping up to 1500m for the first time, but has the natural speed to lead if they want. Moshway is the other keen leader, which should allow Atlantic Express and Toorak Warrior to slip up along the rails into a perfect trail.
Advantaged runners: Interesting to see TOORAK WARRIOR here on the seven day back up. He gets an extra 100m to run past the leaders here, but will need luck from barrier one. ATLANTIC EXPRESS may get the jump on him – he freshened for his last assignment when running second in a high rating race. Unsure what to expect from VENEZUELA, but he’s a lightly raced import on Australian debut for Team Williams and recently bolted in a 1550m trial. Watch closely. DINNER LAKE will spot them all a start but if the tempo heats up, he’s the one who can finish over the top.
RACE 8
Speed map/race shape: We finish with a mile event for the girls only and you’d expect Supply Money to try and run them along as she has in the bush recently. Silent Roar can kick up to trail from the inside gate, while Think I’m Dreaming won’t be far away either. Look out for any interview snippets or tactics announcements regarding the Waterhouse/Bott import Hokkaido Miss who will likely race handy to the speed.
Advantaged runners: SILENT ROAR was a dominant second up 1600m winner last prep and gets all the favours in pursuit of a similar result here. She followed that with two competitive efforts in Group company and then was luckless first up this time in work. THINK I’M DREAMING has found a rich vein of form, this is a step up but she’s forgotten how to run poorly and beat a few of these home at Pakenham last start. CEDAR GRANDE returned steadily at Echuca after a year off the scene, she draws awkwardly but is a known sharp improver second up. Look for MUSIC OF THE NIGHT storming home while as previously mentioned, keep all senses alert for news regarding HOKKAIDO MISS.
WARWICK FARM
Track: Heavy 8
Rail: +3m entire
Weather: Mostly clear
After some Monday morning showers Warwick Farm was still rated a Heavy, but with no real rain forecast before race day we may get back into the Soft range. Either way, we’re playing in wet conditions and you’d expect them to steer away from the rail as the day progresses.
RACE 1
Speed map/race shape: Full field for the two-year-old colts and geldings maiden and only five have race experience. The unfortunately named emergency Cock Match has the most speed of the raced, while Bullet Raiders and Impudens have shown speed at the trials
Advantaged runners: Only two of these have race experience on rain-affected ground, being OLYMPIC and BACCHUS who finished close behind Golden Slipper horse Pin Sec in December. The former recently trialled alongside DEEP SEA who was most impressive in overcoming a check to take ground late off Slipper placegetter Lyre late. ESCONDIDO will take benefit from his debut hit out while BULLET RAIDERS looks a natural jump and run type and gets blinkers for his debut.
RACE 2
Speed map/race shape: Twenty runners (14 + six emergencies) have accepted for the fillies division. Artie’s Rose led on debut and Bollywood sat outside a speedy one last start so they can lead it up. Doubt they’ll want to run it along to hard in these conditions.
Advantaged runners: BOLLYWOOD is due to win now and if experience counts for anything she’ll be up there for a long way in this one. She’s placed four of five starts and her latest outing was her best. Stablemate BADIA ran past her on debut, she’s been freshened for seven weeks since. Then there’s WAYUPINTHESKY who started $6 in the Reisling and was unlucky to finish 3.5L behind Tenley, with a clear run here she could blouse them all.
RACE 3
Speed map/race shape: Green Aeon was a keen leader on debut and he can cross from wide to do the same here. Expecting Agassi, Bubbles’n’troubles and Vitesse to cart the field up behind him. If this leader doesn’t settle, they may string out a touch.
Advantaged runners: There’s a good chance fitness plays a big role in this one, and after two starts in the wet this prep – split by a trial behind Trapeze Artist – BUBBLES’N’TROUBLES can fit the bill here. She’s handled wet surfaces before and may be looking for further than 1400m now, but this could become a slog that feels like further anyway. Plenty of these, like KING’S PEAK and NUKE, bring decent provincial form on the wet and may provide more value than the likes of COMMANDER first up or the deeply disappointing I’M SO SWEET. GREEN AEON and PERFECT PITCH deserve plenty of respect.
RACE 4
Speed map/race shape: The Pharaoh would sooner refuse to contest this race than not lead, so he’ll take it up from the inside gate and lead from Epic Dan and Common Purpose close by as well. The leader may cheekily get away with some soft sectionals in this.
Advantaged runners: Well we gave it away above but THE PHARAOH may get things run to suit in this and he has given the indication he’s ready to win with two tough placings this prep on Soft ground. COMMON PURPOSE carries the big weight but will enjoy parking handy to the speed in a race with less pressure than his previous outings, he’s proven in the wet. EPIC DAN, NICCO LAD and UP TRUMPZ are all proven at this level and in the going. Big watch on SIGNORE FOX who has previously struggled with the sting out but drops sharply in grade for this.
RACE 5
Speed map/race shape: The main quaddie begins with a big field for the 2400m event. A few candidates to race forward but doubt they’ll go crazy. Cool One, Equipped and Free Fly Too can all cross from wide and join Joe’s Boy and Plymouth Road at the pointy end.
Advantaged runners: The first four across the line from a BM70 over 2400m on a Kembla Heavy 8 show up here, but it is the 2.3L winner FAIRLIGHT who peaks our interest. He was only second up in Australia as a lightly-raced four year old, but will clearly take improvement from that run. PLYMOUTH ROAD is back from Saturday Listed grade and has the runs on the board so must be respected, the sting out help him. He finished alongside VILLARDO in that event. JAKE’S HILL can be forgiven his last 2400m failure in the G1 Metrop, his second up placing in a good Saturday race on Heavy ground reads well.
RACE 6
Speed map/race shape: Plenty of pressure on paper in this fillies and mares sprint, and it would not shock to see a three-wide line throughout. Ragazze and Major Wager should kick up from their low draws, but will be pressured by the likes of Invictum Domina and Segalas. There’s a handful of others who will jostle for ‘handy’ positions off the rail, too.
Advantaged runners: Many of the lightly-raced runners have made quite an impression to date. RAGAZZE has been given time to develop at Provincial level and ticked the wet track box – now she needs to reproduce here. She concedes a fitness advantage to MAJOR WAGER who ran a solid third in the Listed Canberra Guineas. GENTLE PERSUASION returned with a fourth behind Evalina at Kensington. She was crying out for further and the form has stood up. Perhaps the most impressive of all has been FASIKA though – she was dominant on debut and now needs to show she can live up to that in the wet.
RACE 7
Speed map/race shape: Sondelon has drawn the outside gate, but the 1600m start at the Farm affords him plenty of time to saunter across and lead. On paper the pressure appears minimal, but Grand Crown and Silent Explorer are likely to be handy.
Advantaged runners: The predicted race shape of course sets things up well for SONDELON who boasts a handy record to date. He held off Supernova a month ago, that horse progressed to a Saturday win. If the pattern is starting to favour wide/run-on horses then GOLD MAG comes right into calculations – in reality he’s a major contender anyway, he’s been settling a long way back in Melbourne but the form has stood up from those events. SILENT EXPLORER is a genuine swimmer so gets conditions to suit, while VEGA deserves respect and YULONG EMPEROR bears watching on his Australian debut.
RACE 8
Speed map/race shape: A high pressure race to finish the day with Art Of Excellence, Mansa Musa and Noble Joey (among others) all looking to cross from wide gates and be prominent.
Advantaged runners: A wide open affair in the last, where those running on from midfield hold the aces given the predicted tempo. ROOSEVELT hasn’t quite measured up in talented Saturday three-year-old company and will appreciate the drop to the midweeks. He’ll be looking to round them up late alongside STEPHAN, who is consistently knocking on the door. If lightly-raced mare FALERINA is fit she can be expected to sprint home well first up, while VOILA and ZA ZI BA are the others who will enjoy the drop from stakes company.
TOOWOOMBA
Track: Good 4
Rail: +4m from 1600-800m, +5m remainder
Weather: Showers
The looming threat of rain hangs over Toowoomba’s midweek metropolitan meeting, but these Queensland tracks tend to handle it pretty well. Let’s assume it is a low range Soft at worst.
RACE 1
Speed map/race shape: Up to five debutants in the full field of 11 plus five emergencies. Malo To The Max led and knocked up on debut while Got No Doubt did it tough outside the leader at his only start. Couldn’t Refuse is another who could cross towards the front.
Advantaged runners: Working with what we know, both GOT NO DOUBT and COULDN’T REFUSE worked hard in the same debut race, the former was respected in betting. Both will be better for the break. Similarly LUCKY SENATOR and MALO TO THE MAX come out of the same Doomben race, albeit only a fortnight ago and back 150m for this, advantage to the latter – but he’ll need a fair few scratchings to get a run. Debutant NAVAL STRIKE out of Smart Missile bears close watching.
RACE 2
Speed map/race shape: Not much speed on show here at all, except for Undaunted who will roll straight to the front for a relatively uncontested lead, on paper anyway. Expect Brazen Choice, Reposition and Zodiac Star to be among the handier chasers.
Advantaged runners: Most of these have had a fair few goes at winning by now! UNDAUNTED is one of them and if he can’t get it done here I won’t be with him whenever he does. He’ll be jogging along in front and has the fitness base from a 2000m run leading into this. ROCK’N’SOL tackles this distance range for the first time and has the most scope to improve, he’ll be the main closer. LADY ELEANOR showed a bit at her first start in Queensland and is quickly up in trip here, she has a hope as does BRAZEN. CHOICE and ZODIAC STAR.
RACE 3
Speed map/race shape: Only a small field for the second 1640m event on the card. Bernie’s Tiger and Skylight should roll straight to the top and control a moderate tempo, with Seahampton and Red Cavalry following them.
Advantaged runners: Sending a horse to his Queensland satellite stable is the new golden switch for Chris Waller’s tried brigade and it worked for SEAHAMPTON at Doomben. Three weeks between runs, up in trip, Fradd on board and a soft run in transit, he’s the one to beat again. FOXY AFFAIR made an early move last start at Doomben when they slowed to a crawl, he’ll be fitter for that surge and can feature in the finish here. That form ties in with BERNIE’S TIGER via Reiby The Red – Bernie is racing well and can lead this for a long way.
RACE 4
Speed map/race shape: Cunard led at his only previous start so we’d assume he’ll do the same here stepping up to 1300m, while Toucan Sam is the other eager to race on the pace. Alderman, Proud Roc and In Two Minds will all look to race prominently as well.
Advantaged runners: Not a whole lot of exposed form to go off here. CUNARD was on debut as a four-year-old when a $1.95 favourite at the Sunshine Coast. He led before tiring late but will surely be improved here. PROUD ROC enjoyed all the favours on debut when just missing, WHY WOULDN’T YOU took up a greater portion of the market there but never got close. ALDERMAN steps up sharply from 1000m to this but has a sense of timing third up and should get the ideal run, while TOUCAN SAM has previously stretched out to this distance without trouble.
RACE 5
Speed map/race shape: There may be a little bit of urgency on show in the first quaddie leg, with the book ends of the barrier draw Al’s Kingdom and Zollikon Miss potentially taking each other on for the lead. This will hand Beacon and The Big House ideal trailing runs.
Advantaged runners: The time is right for BEACON to secure his first Queensland victory. He stuck on well for third in Saturday grade at Eagle Farm when sharply up in trip, this race is easier and he gets all the favours in the run. THE BIG HOUSE went down in a blanket finish last time at Doomben – Seahampton (Race 4) will give us a line on that form. He also gets a few things his way here. AL’S KINGDOM will plug away in front and may be hard to get past, which could spell trouble for ZOLLIKON MISS who may not get things to her liking today.
RACE 6
Speed map/race shape: From the wide draws, Miss Amanda and Izzah may inject a little bit of pace here as they look to cross Wooshka and Splash Of Cristal to lead. The run to the first turn over the Toowomba 1210m course is deceptively short, only just over 200m.
Advantaged runners: Another topweight on this Toowoomba card appears to get plenty in its favour, and WOOSHKA is no different here under the 3kg claim of Frater-Hill. She overdid it a bit first up in Brisbane before copping a bump at a vital stage last time in. Just needs luck. BOILING is a chance if she doesn’t settle too far back – she closed off well first up without really threatening. SNICKI MINAJ is on an upward trajectory and has taken on reasonably three-year-old company lately, while MISS AMANDA gets the tongue tie on and is a chance if she behaves herself in front.
RACE 7
Speed map/race shape: Want To Bolt led all the way at this track nearly a fortnight ago and will attempt to replicate this from the outside half of the field. He’ll take it up from Doctor Zed and Real Supremacy, while Alaska should also use the rail to her advantage as well.
Advantaged runners: WANT TO BOLT has put up the picket fence since switching to Ben Currie’s stable and he can continue that run on his home track. The claim for Nothdurft partially offsets the penalty for his recent all-the-way success. DOCTOR ZED blew the cobwebs out at the Gold Coast recently and he’s a proven second up performer so must be a candidate from a likely run in the one-one. IL RICCIO will likely settle behind them but the form from his most recent race has stood up well and he’ll be charging home, while REAL SUPREMACY has found a winning formula of late so deserves respect.
RACE 8
Speed map/race shape: Frantic conclusion to the day expected over the 1000m course. The configuration here is an early ‘kink’ then one turn, so expect the jockeys on the likes of Aultbea and Bella Occhi to be happy to settle three wide and keep the momentum up is required. Inside them, Crusher and Martinelli look like kicking up to be at the front.
Advantaged runners: After a nine-month layoff CRUSHER picked up where he left off, settling outside the leader and proving too strong at Eagle Farm in a much better race. He should find the rail here and gets the 3kg claimer. As discussed above, the barrier doesn’t turn us off BELLA OCCHI who is a good fresh sprinter. A similar speed map/tempo at a venue like Eagle Farm would bring JETSONIC right into calculations – but will the tight layout work against him here? An improved fresh showing from I AM THE GENERAL would not shock.