Wednesday racing returns to Sandown for another eight-race card on the Hillside track, where track conditions are again set to play a key role.
The track is rated a Soft 5, but with rain forecast on Tuesday and showers expected on Wednesday, it looks likely to remain in the rain-affected range.
The rail is out 9m, the same position as last week’s midweek meeting, where we had a strong read on the card and tipped six winners from eight races.
With that in mind, let’s work through our Sandown betting strategy and see if we can keep the momentum going.
MISS LOLA (10) found a Saturday metropolitan 3YO Fillies Handicap at Caulfield too rich last start, so she will appreciate dropping back to midweek grade.
The Chris Waller-trained daughter of Blue Point was excellent two starts ago over this distance on the Lakeside track, racing on speed before dashing clear and saluting by 1.5 lengths.
She was five weeks between runs last start, so she will have come on nicely.
Jye McNeil can use her early speed to either lead or box-seat from the good gate.
| 10. Miss Lola (5) J: Jye Mcneil 56kg 5×216T: Chris Waller | |||
| Most recently sat on the speed and boxed on steadily 6th of 8 at Caulfield 3yo F Hcp on July 11 over 1100m, on a slow track; 4 len behind Signature Scent carrying 53kg at $4.60. The race before that won by 1.5 len at Sandown-Lakeside Mdn-Sw June 3 over 1200m in the wet defeating Pray Tell with 57.5kg at $2.05. Up in trip should suit, she can atone. | |||
WEAPON CLEAR (4) returned in super order two starts ago from an 11-month break with an all-the-way two-length win over 1000m at Bendigo.
The David Binaisse-trained gelding gave a tremendous sight in this class over this course and distance last start, only to be run down in the shadows of the post and finish just under a length third to Dreamzel and Walter Spur.
He meets those horses slightly better at the weights and will strip fitter third-up.
Caitlin Hollowood, who claims 3kg, can make use of barrier 1 and give plenty of cheek in front.
| 4. Weapon Clear (1) J: Caitlin Hollowood 59kg 47×13T: Dean Binaisse | |||
| Third-up today and won third-up previously. Resuming won by 2 len at Bendigo Bm62 June 25 over 1000m in soft going defeating Da Nang Star with 58kg at $15. Last start gave a sight but was run down late 3rd of 8 at this track Bm70 on July 15 over 1000m, on a wet track; 0.8 len behind Dreamzel with 56kg at $3.70. Going well and will take catching. | |||
TOUXLOVE (11) has improved with each run this preparation and can go back-to-back stepping up in class.
The Clayton Douglas-trained gelding produced the best final 200m of the meeting when finishing three-quarters of a length second over 1208m at Moe.
He went one better over 1400m on a heavy deck at Cranbourne last start, charging home to score by half a length with nearly three lengths back to third.
There looks to be plenty of speed in the race, which should allow Luke Currie to settle midfield before saving ground on the turn and letting his mount loose in the run home.
| 11. Touxlove (2) J: Luke Currie 57kg 9×921T: Clayton Douglas | |||
| Form hard to fault. Most recently favourite; came from midfield and won by 0.5 len at Cranbourne Bm62 July 16 over 1400m in the wet defeating Finance Shogun with 57kg at $4.60. Before that 2nd of 9 at Moe Cg&E Bm62 on June 18 over 1208m, in the wet; 0.8 len behind Mongolian City carrying 57kg at $9.50. Heading the right way and sets up nicely again. | |||
MISS CASTELVECCHIO (5) didn’t have the greatest luck when resuming at Moe, weakening to finish 2.95 lengths fourth.
The Charlotte Littlefield-trained mare found herself in a similar situation over 1443m at Geelong last start when racing three-wide on speed, but this time she produced plenty to charge home and win by 1.75 lengths.
She steps up to a mile and won over the distance by three lengths when ending last preparation.
Emily Pozman retains the ride, and the 3kg claimer should be able to give her mount every chance from the inside barrier.
| 5. Miss Castelvecchio (1) J: Emily Pozman 58kg 31×41T: Charlotte Littlefield | |||
| Third-up today and placed third-up in the past. First-up tracked the speed and boxed on steadily 4th of 10 at Moe F&M Bm62 on June 18 over 1208m, on heavy track; 3 len behind Unapproachable with 60kg at $2.80. Last start favourite; tracked the speed and boxed on steadily; won by 1.75 len at Geelong F&M Bm56 July 10 over 1443m in the wet defeating Sephia carrying 61.5kg at $2.70. Has come back better and can measure up. | |||
FOIRE DE TRONE (9) ran well in a stronger metropolitan Saturday race against her own age at Caulfield last start, working to the line well for a 5.31 lengths fourth.
The Ciaron Maher-trained mare had won two of three races this preparation and impressed two starts ago when producing a devastating turn of foot to come from the tail of the small field and snatch a nose victory.
She’s a month between runs, so has been back to the jump outs, where she produced a pleasing piece of work.
Jabez Johnstone, who claims 2kg, should land in a prominent position from the low draw.
| 9. Foire De Trone (2) J: Jabez Johnstone 56kg x1014T: Ciaron Maher | |||
| Recent form sound. Comes here off a 32-day let-up. Last start made ground from midfield; 4th of 14 at Caulfield Bm78 on June 27 over 2000m, slow going 5.5 len behind Belle Savoir with 51kg at $6. Before that ran on strongly from last on the turn and won by a nose at Sandown-Lakeside F&M Bm70 June 3 over 2100m in the wet defeating Hotinherre with 55kg at $2.80. Sets up nicely and can return to winning ways. | |||
CENSORI (1) stepped up to this distance for the first time last start and loved it, dominating the Lakeside contest.
The Danny O’Brien-trained filly settled back and circled the field approaching the straight before letting down powerfully to win by 3.25 lengths with something in hand.
She’s rock-hard fit and any rain will be to her advantage.
Lachlan Neindorf retains the ride and can settle in a prominent position from the good barrier.
| 1. Censori (3) J: Lachlan Neindorf 59kg x5421T: Danny O’brien | |||
| Racing well recently. Most recently ran on from midfield and scored a big 3.5 len win at Sandown-Lakeside 3yo F Bm64 July 1 over 1600m in the wet defeating Beautifully carrying 59kg at $16. The run before that sat on speed throughout when 2nd of 7 at Sale 3yo 0-62 on June 10 over 1400m, on rain affected going; 4.5 len behind Off Their Perch carrying 58kg at $10. Dominant last time and a repeat goes close. | |||
HERE’S MATILDA (14) started her career in perfect fashion over 1200m on the Lakeside track last start.
The Ciaron Maher-trained filly settled handy before finishing strongly to get the better of Blue Shield by three-quarters of a length, with nearly three lengths back to third.
She’ll be better for the experience and the rise in distance looks ideal second-up.
Jabez Johnstone can stalk the leader before making his move in the run home.
| 14. Here’s Matilda (3) J: Jabez Johnstone 58kg 1T: Ciaron Maher | |||
| Was well in the market at debut, won came from midfield and won by 0.8 len at Sandown-Lakeside 2yo+ Mdn-Sw July 8 over 1200m in heavy going defeating Blue Shield with 57.5kg at $4.80. Looked good on debut and can remain unbeaten. | |||
TAKA SPEED (1) rises considerably in weight but will appreciate the big drop in class after finishing 2.35 lengths fourth over 1700m at Caulfield last start.
The Matt Laurie-trained gelding won his only previous start over this course and distance earlier this preparation, leading all the way to salute by a neck.
This is his fourth run back from a six-week let-up, so he should be cherry-ripe.
Ryan Houston has won two from three rides on him and should land in a prominent position.
| 1. Taka Speed (5) J: Ryan Houston 60kg 55544T: Matt Laurie | |||
| Racing well recently. At the latest run 4th of 11 at Caulfield Bm84 on July 11 over 1700m, slow going 2.5 len behind First Chorus with 53kg at $7. The race before that 4th of 10 at Randwick 3&4yo Bm72 on June 20 over 1600m, slow going 2 len behind Bird Whistle carrying 59.5kg at $10. Not far away last time. Finds the right race now and rates well. | |||