Early Oil: Sandown best bets and preview

It will pay to side with the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace stable at Sandown on Saturday.

Arktika carries the same colours as the great Makybe Diva.

News Corp form analyst Jett Hatton runs the early rule over Saturday’s Sandown card.

BEST BET

ARKTIKA (Race 4, No 10)

Smart mare from the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace stable that looks to have a bright future. Well placed here at 1600m.

VALUE BET

PRINCESS RHAENYS (Race 7, No 13)

Peter Moody-trained galloper that was never on the track last start at Group 3 level. Very good the start prior in a hot race and drawn a good gate with 54kg.

EARLY QUADDIE

1, 3, 8, 9/1, 2, 4, 11/ 4, 8, 10/ 5, 6, 7

BIG 6

4, 8, 10/ 5, 6, 7/ 6, 7, 8, 9/6, 12, 13/ 2, 10, 12/4, 6, 11, 16

QUADDIE

6, 7, 8, 9/6, 12, 13/ 2, 10, 12/4, 6, 11, 16

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RACE 1

The opener is a tough race to assess with eight unraced juveniles so keep an eye on the market on race day. The Ben and JD Hayes-trained CANTOLAGO (3) put a space on them at her latest jumpout. She did it easily too and looks to have good speed out of the barriers so looks drawn nicely in gate four. SERASANA (8) is another filly which has shown good gate speed and has looked the part at her two trials. Godolphin colt ENERGIZED (1) is by Brazen Beau and stuck on OK at his Warwick Farm trial. Looks to have ability. DOWN LOW (5) hard in the market for the Mick Price and Michael Kent Jr yard and has to be respected.

SUGGESTED BET: Cantolago to win.

TAB MARKET MOVER: Cantolago $3 – $2.80.

RACE 2

Mile and a half contest and I’m with KAITUKU (3) who was strong through the line when winning at the trip last time out. Same barrier, trip and track but he carries 1.5kg less on Saturday. JAYROD TOO (1) showed good fight when winning over 2100m last start. Set to peak third-up out in trip. Never know what you’re going to get with ACCOUNTABILITY (8) but he’s capable of a big performance when he wants, loves the 2400m and drops 7.5kg on his last run. Could surprise at big odds. MEINER LEGACY (9) was good chasing Vegas Knight at The Valley last start and should improve out in trip.

SUGGESTED BET: Kaituku win, small saver on Accountability.

TAB MARKET MOVER: Anirishman $7.50 – $6.

RACE 3

The stable scratched handy filly GIRL (11) from Tuesday’s Hamilton meeting to go here and she displayed signs of a good horse when proving too sharp for them at Bendigo. The one I want to be with down in the weights. RUSSIAN RONI (1) flogged her rivals at Bendigo last start but drops back slightly in trip to 1400m. Always have to respect when Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott have one in Melbourne. MIDTOWN BOSS (2) will relish stepping out to 1400m and has made a good start to her career having won two of three. SHE DANCES (4) next best.

SUGGESTED BET: Girl each-way.

TAB MARKET MOVER: Russian Roni $8.50 – $5.

Ciaron Maher and David Eustace bring a strong team to Sandown.

RACE 4

The Maher and Eustace team have a good opinion of ARKTIKA (10), a four-year-old mare that carries the same colours as Makybe Diva. Scratched from The Valley last Friday night as a precaution after banging her knee but looks to be well placed at the mile with 58.5kg. Looks to have a bright future and should prove hard to beat. TASMAN PARK (8) the x-factor coming into the race undefeated after two starts. This is his toughest test but looks to have upside. BARETTA (10) produced an eye catching effort at Sandown last start, extra 100m looks to suit. HE’S THE REAL DEEL (1) is one that could run well at odds.

SUGGESTED BET: Arktika to win.

TAB MARKET MOVER: Austrata $9 – $6.50.

RACE 5

Hard to be against the favourite DETONATOR JACK (6). He beat the Ingham favourite Nugget first-up then lost no admirers behind GREEN FLY (7) last start on the heavy track. Back to dry suits. GREEN FLY airborne since coming over to Australia and should make it tough for the favourite again. Second to Uncle Bryn three starts back reads well for FLASH AAH (5). Back to dry suits after facing heavy track in Ballarat Cup. Ex-European star NANCHO (1) will find this too short but Archie Alexander says he’s come back well.

SUGGESTED BET: Detonator Jack to win.

TAB MARKET MOVER: Green Fly $3 – $2.60

Green Fly (outside) beat Detonator Jack last start at Ballarat. Picture: Racing Photos

RACE 6

First leg of the quaddie and lightly raced mare LIFE LESSONS (9) looks tough to beat. Has come back a much improved racehorse having won both starts, the latest was very impressive when sitting deep at Sandown and still proving too good. Barrier two and Dan Stackhouse retains the ride. CARDIGAN QUEEN (6) has been knocking on the door and turned in some good runs at the 1400m behind the likes of Barb Raider. Value of the race. SO YOU SEE (7) beaten by LIFE LESSONS last start, also had a tough run in transit that day but drawn wide again.

SUGGESTED BET: Life Lessons to win.

TAB MARKET MOVER: Belle Et Riche $7 – $5.

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RACE 7

Peter Moody has two good chances in the race and think PRINCESS RHAENYS (13) can go well at double figures. Deep the trip in the Group 3 Eclipse Stakes but good the start prior behind Roots and Climbing Star. Better barrier on Saturday and well treated with just 54kg. Stablemate SEE MARIE (6) is a former Queenslander that won the last time she saw this trip. Went OK at Group 3 level last start and will appreciate the drop in grade. THE CUNNING FOX (12) is racing well without a win, two good runs this prep has him ready to go. ASCENSION (1) has talent but wants a softer track to be winning.

SUGGESTED BET: Princess Rhaenys each-way.

TAB MARKET MOVER: The Cunning Fox $4.60 – $4.

Mac 'N' Cheese can bounce back to winning form. Picture: Atkins Photography

RACE 8

Tony and Calvin McEvoy are keeping smart mare MAC ‘N’ CHEESE (12) to the shorter trips after failing in the Australasian Oaks last campaign. Forgive the last run when never on the track, back in grade and Craig Williams jumps on. Handy galloper RIOT AND ROSE (10) was good behind Detonator Jack and Green Fly first-up off a lengthy break. Will improve second-up. THE GARDEN (2) was too bad to be true last start when never in it, short let up since and previous form more than good enough to be winning. SAVANNAH CLOUD (6) is flying having won her last two, steps in grade but suited to the track conditions.

SUGGESTED BET: Mac ‘N’ Cheese to win.

TAB MARKET MOVER: Riot And Rose $6 – $4.20.

RACE 9

Last leg of the quaddie looks the toughest race of the day and the market agrees. Going to side with BIG APPLE (6) from the Matt Laurie yard. Performs well fresh and looks to get the run of the race behind a decent tempo from barrier three. Each-way. MIDNIGHT CHARM (11) loves these 1000m races, pulled up with a throat issue last start so forgive and was a big winner the run prior. SIGH (16) has good ability but won’t get any favours from the wide barrier. Short enough as favourite. RIGEL STAR (4) for the Hayes boys is capable of surprising at a big price.

SUGGESTED BET: Big Apple each-way.

TAB MARKET MOVER: Midnight Charm $11 – $8.