Sandown is the venue for Saturday Victorian metropolitan racing this weekend, with a nine-race program kicking off at 11:50AM EST.
The feature race of the meeting is the Listed Bel Espirit Stakes over 1000m, where the Graham Begg-trained ‘Katsu’ looks to make it three wins in a row and is a $1.85 chance to do so.
A Benchmark-100 in the final race also provides some interest, with ‘Gunstock' currently the $2.80 favourite ahead of ‘Pinstriped’ who is aiming to make it a hat-trick of wins on the seven-day back-up.
The Hillside track is currently rated a Soft 6 but with minimal to no rain forecasted leading up to, and on the day, expect the track to be upgraded to a Soft 5.
The running rail is back in the True position after previously being out 14m position during the last meet.
Expect horses on-pace from inside-middle barriers to hold a slight advantage and those back at the rear of the field in inside lanes to be up against it.
Although it looks to be a tough betting program on paper, there is some good value on offer.
Let’s find it!
A potentially very smart 4yo gelding by Ocean Park returns from a spell here after winning 3 and placing in the other 4 of his career runs to date.
He showed plenty of ability in his first preparation, which included a debut victory by 2.3 lengths.
He only has to slightly rise in grade here and looks to have come back in cracking order with two solid jump outs at Flemington leading in.
Jamie Mott is in the saddle which is a tick considering the gun jockey rode Tasman Park to each of his 3 victories. While he has a wide barrier to contend with, it looks as though he will get some cover in the run.
He has plenty of upside, has won on all surfaces and has notched up 2 victories from 3 runs at this track.
Certainly looks a top chance at good odds here.
I'm giving this 4yo son of Frankel another chance here after putting him as a best bet two weeks ago at Flemington, where he came 6th in a Benchmark-100.
He steps back in grade here second-up, where he boasts a perfect record of 3 wins from 3 runs, and will appreciate the rise in distance to the 1600m.
He ran the fastest last 200m of that last start effort, when hitting the line very strongly over the concluding stages of the 1400m clash.
He gets the in-form Ben Allen aboard (20 winners from his last 100 runners) and should get a great run into the race, with some of his main rivals being drawn around him.
Expect him to appreciate the slight sting out of the ground and staying on a big track is a positive.
If he gets a smooth run, he will be awfully hard to keep out storming over the top.
Head to our horse racing tip market to access the selections of proving winning form analysts.