Sandown is the focus this Wednesday in Melbourne, with eight winners to be found across the program.
There are several short-priced favourites going around in the first few races, including an unbeaten three-year-old resuming for Clayton Douglas, who has been earmarked as our best bet of the day in Race 3.
Elsewhere, there’s a genuine case to be made for one at double-figure odds in Race 7, and as always, you can find our best bets and tips at Sandown this Wednesday in our weekly preview!
Race 1 - 12:25pm AEDT
Sportsbet Fast Form Plate (1300 METRES)
SKY SISTA (9) was the beaten short-priced favourite last start at Kyneton where excuses were on offer.
The filly by Overshare was away fairly upon settling midfield, working her way into the race along the rail before the gap was closed and she was forced to shift across heels.
Beaten just over 2.5 lengths in the end, she should be better for the run considering she was competing off a four-week break.
1 Unit Sky Sista (9)
Race 2 - 1:00pm AEDT
Thoroughbred Club of Australia Handicap (1000 METRES)
SAMUDRA (9) is a little short for a debutant, but it’s not hard to understand why based on her recent jump out efforts.
The Snitzel filly was saved for late in her latest, storming home down the outside from a three-wide position for a handy win on the line.
She’s out of a Group 1 winning dam, so from a low gate, she should be right there at the pointy end with the class of Ben Melham in the irons.
1 Unit Samudra (9)
Race 3 - 1:35pm AEDT
Sportsbet BlackBook Handicap (1000 METRES)
Fair bit to like here about FOXENBERG (4) on return for Clayton Douglas.
This three-year-old son to Foxwedge was sent around at odds-on on debut at Cranbourne back in March, leading all the way to make every post a winner for a comfortable win in the end.
He was fast into stride during a recent trial on the Heath track at Caulfield, finding something extra upon straightening to go on and win by three lengths.
Provided Jamie Mott has a clear path to the front in the early stages, good luck catching this pair.
2 Units Foxenberg (4)
Race 4 - 2:10pm AEDT
Sportsbet BlackBook Handicap (1000 METRES)
DIVINO CAVALLO (10) resumes for Robbie Griffiths following a fruitful maiden campaign that saw her win two of her three starts during the spring.
The Pierro mare was enormous on debut at Morphettville winning by over a length, before wrapping up her prep a strong winner in BM64 grade at Bendigo over 1100m.
She’s trialled up well recently at Cranbourne ahead of her return and will just need to find cover early from a slightly awkward draw.
1 Unit Each-Way Divino Cavallo (10)
Race 5 - 2:45pm AEDT
Sportsbet Feed Handicap (2400 METRES)
DIWALI (10) could be worth sticking with after a slightly disappointing run at Caulfield two weeks ago over this trip.
Gavid Bedggood’s gelding was away slowly and held up out of the turn, beaten just under two lengths in the end.
His previous win at Moe was strong however, finding the front 100m from home to punch clear and win well.
Hard fit now with three runs under his belt and the claim put to good use, he just needs to jump on time to bounce back and be a serious factor.
1 Unit Each-Way Diwali (10)
Race 6 - 3:20pm AEDT
Evergreen Turf Handicap (1800 METRES)
Keen to see what BOARDRIDER (13) can produce here out over further.
He’s hard fit now thrd-up for Clinton McDonald, last seen running fifth at Cranbourne over the mile, where he really owned warmed up late settling a long way back from the pace.
I thought he switched off nicely in the run and was strong through the line, so this presents as a winnable assignment from another soft gate with Jamie Melham two-from-two in the saddle.
1 Unit Boardrider (13)
Race 7 - 3:55pm AEDT
Quayclean Handicap (1500 METRES)
NAVY KING (11) could be a big improver here in what is a fairly open middle-distance race.
The wide run and the heavy track never suited on return at the ‘Bool a few weeks ago when he was beaten seven lengths, but he does have a win on the board second-up that suggests he could go better.
Having competed at Group 1 level this time last year, a clear run from barrier 7 in a more suitable race could see him wind up in the money.
1 Unit Each-Way Navy King (11)
Race 8 - 4:30pm AEDT
Sportsbet Race Replays Handicap (1300 METRES)
KAHHOF (2) has genuine claims second-up.
The four-year-old son of Pierro went around in town last month at Heaquarters, hitting top stride over the final 300m where he finished just over a length off.
He hasn’t won in some time, but does present fitter second-up with a win and a place to his name at this stage of his prep.
The top weight under Jye McNeil is worth noting, but armed with a serious turn of foot, his late change up speed could see him run a big race.
1 Unit Kahhof (2)