Punters who like backing value should take note of Sandgroper. After recording his bets for over seven years at theGreatTipOff.com, his place statistics show that he strikes 44% of the time. With his place getters averaging $2.28, punters who like a lower risk bet are certainly getting their money's worth by following his selections.

Read Sandgroper's early mail for Saturday's racing below.

Siegfried Gold Coast R3 No. 2  

Beaten 3L but the run was better than the margin suggests after he was caught wide early. The Toby Edmonds-trained gelding raced deep throughout but still managed to loom and look a winning chance early in the straight. Understandably the seven-year-old tired late but it was a good second-up effort considering his run in transit.

He enjoyed plenty of success last campaign, particularly over the Doomben 1350m, and is worth following at $9.

Testashadow - Gold Coast R4 No.1

Race fit gelding who has mixed his form a little of late. Coming off a good third in the Group 3 Summer Cup back on Boxing Day. Didn’t love his trial on January 4. He didn't pick-up at all that well but they went hard and he was probably a bit dour coming off that 2000m run in what was a fast run trial.

Dainty Tess - Ascot R4 No.2

What a great money spinner this mare is. Second-up at Ascot she spotted a start to Winterbottom Stakes winner State Solicitor turning for home when carrying plenty of weight, then rattled off similar sectionals to finish a fighting second. She looks more than capable of measuring up.

Action - Ascot R5 No.7

This beautifully bred three-year-old by Pierro is living up to his name so far with two dominant victories from as many starts. Stepping up to Saturday grade after winning a Belmont maiden on debut, Action started at surprisingly generous odds before getting the job done once again. Settling worse than midfield over the 1400 metres, leading hoop William Pike managed a copybook ride on the Peters-owned, Williams-trained gelding, peeling wider on straightening and unleashing a powerful finish to score comfortably.

The stats from that run stack up well. While Action's winning time was significantly slower than the Benchmark 78+ horses over the same distance later in the day, his final 600 metres was one of the best of the meeting.

When they beat the older horses like that at this time of the season, they often go on with the job.

Phoneme - Flemington R1 No.6

This colt by Choisir sold for $100,000 at last year’s Magic Millions Gold Coast sale. Jumped one from the outside in his heat and travelled smoothly to the outside of I Am Invincible and Something Serious. Slight encouragement from the rider off the bend to join in, saw him ease clear to win by half a length in 49.01 seconds.

Bajan - Gawler R2 No.1

Despite still being a maiden, this 3yo gelding has more than his share of ability and it will just be a matter of time before we see him break through for a much deserved win. He showed his ability with a couple of handy placings when last in work before resuming with a strong fourth when only getting warm in the final furlong.

Last Saturday's game effort for second suggested he will break through very soon. Despite covering ground throughout, Bajan gave a great sight before fading in the shadows of the post to the big plunge horse Peretti. Went enormous third-up last campaign when placing against open company