The Melbourne Carnival officially wrapped up last week, but for the die-hard punters, our minds head to Sandown for one last go at it.
Often a meeting seen as a consolation for runners who have missed their main targets, it's also traditionally been a strong meeting for punters. Let's keep that going!
SANDOWN
RACE 1- 1000M- 2YO
4- BRAZEN BOY- Won his trial by an impressive 14 lengths, related to Away Game which is a solid pedigree.
1- THE ART OF FLYING- Pretty solid behind Sneaky Five on debut, that run was franked when Sneaky Five won well in Sydney last start.
2- MARINE ONE- Had every chance on debut, ran well that day and can improve here. Had impressive trial before that.
3- ANAMOE- No luck on debut, deserves forgiveness and may benefit from the race day experience.
Suggested Bet: No bet.
RACE 2- 1400M- 3YO FILLIES
2- HIGHLY DISCREET- Has very strong form lines this prep despite no wins, 2 runs behind Swat’s That to begin who went on to place at G1 level. Then came in behind La Mexicana on a track and pattern that suited the winner. Came in behind Written Beauty latest which is not to be knocked.
1- LA MEXICANA- Was good at MV but maybe helped by the pattern on the day, was handy to be on-speed and she managed to just hold on. Wet track seems to be her favourite but can run on top of the ground. 1400m a query too.
3- STAR OF UMA- Has won two from two this prep with dominant performances from the lead, pattern will be key and she may face tougher opposition for control of the race from the second pick here.
4- HINDAAM- Has been solid this prep, was impressive first-up but followed that up with a poor run. Found form latest though and was able to win well. Up in grade here.
Suggested Bet: Highly Discreet 10 units win. La Mexicana 10 units win.
RACE 3- 1300M- GROUP 3
5- BLAZEJOWSKI- Ran well when fresh last start, wasn’t suited by tempo but battled well and competed to the end. Will be fitter here and suspect the tempo may suit better.
3- ORDER OF COMMAND- Has been very good this prep, did finish last second-up but that was in a better race than this and he still ran ok. Was very impressive last start and could now be ready to peak.
2- KEMALPASA- Good win last start down the straight, tempo was very suitable but still had to finish them off. Tempo that race was slow and if he can get that again he is going to be hard to beat.
1- STREETS OF AVALON- Has been running in some good company this campaign, pretty one dimensional though. Needs to lead and dictate to win and may find that hard to do here, drops way back in class here though and has run well at G1 level.
Suggested Bet: Blazejowski 10 units win.
RACE 4- 1000M
3- HUMMA HUMMA- Class operator who will be charging home and will be suited by the long straight here. Needs it dry and finally gets that here which is a huge plus and looks to get a tempo that will bring her into the race. Could be peaking now.
1- CORUSCATE- Has won very well first two runs this campaign before missing last start. Pulled up lame so deserves forgiveness from that one. Can figure here at a price.
7- SHAMINO- Run behind Graff two starts back was very impressive, anywhere near that and he will be hard to beat. Was poor last start, perhaps found 1200m too much. Will be happier back to 1000m here.
9- EXPRESS PASS- Been very good this campaign, two very good wins then a good run behind a smart one latest. Freshened for this which will be a plus I believe, fresh record is very good.
Suggested Bet: Humma Humma 10 units win. Express Pass 5 units win.
RACE 5- 1500M- GROUP 3
6- KENYA- Led and won well last start in Peninsula Cup, will be fitter for that run and can figure here. May get gun run behind Buffalo River and use him as the trail into the race. Looks the one to beat.
3- JUNIPAL- Has been outstanding this campaign before finding some trouble at G1 level, found traffic and was never a chance after that. Wins prior were dominant and arrogant. Best is good enough to beat these.
1- BUFFALO RIVER- Leads and does so very fats, will get out to lead and will go hard. has to be careful not to go too hard and leave himself vulnerable. Will give them some thing to chase and they may not be able too.
2- ICONOCLASM- Loves this trip and was very good when winning last start, has the class to figure here but would need to improve on last run. Last two runs have been good though.
Suggested Bet: Kenya 10 units win. Junipal 5 units win.
RACE 6- 1600M- GROUP 2
1- AYSAR- Has been in terrific form but query over wether he can go again here, was beaten last start by a tough Crosshaven. Run in the Guineas was superb and finds an easier opposition here than his last two performances.
8- SWEET REPLY- Was held up in key stage last start, as were many in that race though. Hard to say where they all end up if it goes well. Definitely would’ve figured in the finish though.
4- ALLIBOR- Didn’t find the kick when arriving in the big smoke last start, has’t won yet but hasn’t been too far off. Race fastest last 200m latest.
3- HORRIFYING- Ran well in the Carbine behind Crosshaven last start, easier opposition here but not sure Aysar won’t be too good again.
Suggested Bet: No bet.
RACE 7- 3200M- SANDOWN CUP
5- SIN TO WIN- Returned to the winners list last time out after a while, has been running very well and may be primed to score again. Comes here against a few facing serious queries, think the long straight will suit here.
3- MIAMI BOUND- Wet ground may be the key? Was good at MV when she could get her toe in the ground, was then plain the Melb Cup on a firmer surface.Has class but not sure the track will suit.
2- ETAH JAMES- Typically loves the 3200m, Cup run wasn’t true to that form though. If you can forgive that there is a case to be made, Sydney Cup winner and can figure here.
1- SAN HUBERTO- Had no luck in Geelong Cup in a race suited ton the on-pacers, is much better than that run suggests. 3200m will be a plus.
Suggested Bet: Sin To Win 10 units win.
RACE 8- 2400M- WFA GROUP 2
1- AVILIUS- Looks the clear class horse in this race, run in the Melbourne Cup was plain but maybe needs it a little softer under foot? Runs before that were very strong, looks to good for these but there are queries. Melbourne? Wet tracker? Backing up from Melbourne Cup?
5- FUTURE SCORE- Was very good in the Cranbourne Cup and backed that up with a strong performance in the Hotham. Was unlucky there and can bounce back here.
8- PRINCESS JENNI- Veery strong win in the Bendigo Cup, beat Pondus there who was heavily backed. Pondus then went on to ran very well at Flemington after that, form looks very strong.
4- SOUND- Has been a warrior this campaign despite not finding the line first yet, always runs well though and can do so here. Form lines are very strong and this may be easier.
Suggested Bet: 10 units win Avilius.
RACE 9- 1800M- GROUP 3
1- HOMESMAN- Won very well when fresh, usually uses his best effort first-up. Second-up run was a little plain but had a big weight on that occasion. Drops a kilo here and that may help him out here. Could be ready for another peak?
12- POWER SCHEME- Has been very good this prep, last two have been very good wins. Was very impressive last start when he had the gun run and was too good for them. Can do something very similar here.
5- GOLD FIELDS- Hit the line in eye-catching fashion last start, another 50m and the race was his. Run before that was good behind All Too Huying who has been in superb form.
2- SO SI BON- Old warrior who has a knack of winning when he shouldn’t, has run well all prep besides one poor start on soft ground. Maybe Diva run has him right in this.
Suggested Bet: 10 units win Homesman. 5 units win Power Scheme.
RACE 10- 1500M- GROUP 3
13- MRS BECKHAM- Has been good since returning and now faces a test, very good finish last start when given the gun run.
4- MISSILE MANTRA- Always seems to find trouble, looks under the odds considering his pattern but has talent and can figure. Need to see sharp improvement though.
15- GAME OF THORNS- Was good when resuming, little plain next time out though. Third-up run was good at headquarters, any improvement from that run could put her right in the finish.
8- LA TIGERESA- Last start can be ignored, missed the jump and that was that. Runs before that were very good and those races have franked since.
Suggested Bet: 5 units each-way Mrs Beckham.
