Melbourne: Comprehensive preview of every race at Sale

A COMPREHENSIVE preview of every race for Wednesday’s meeting at Sale with Ray Hickson.

Gallant Spur (outside). Picture: Robert McKell

NOTE: Numbers in brackets are the official handicap ratings for each horse. Track rated Soft 6 at time of writing but expecting closer to heavy.

RACE 1

Confidence levels are very low at this meeting, tread very warily. 2. HAVILDAR (NR) has the score on the board from a solid first-up placing at Caulfield a few Saturdays ago. Absolutely no idea how he’ll fare if the track gets to heavy but on form he’s the one to beat. 14. ITCHY NEE (NR) created a pretty good impression at his only start on the Geelong synthetic track, hitting the line in good style just behind the placings after getting a long way back. Unknown on grass and the wet but keep in mind. 4. MISTOFFELEES (NR) has been largely unwanted in the betting in his three starts but has recorded a couple of solid placings, on wet tracks, and was outclassed in town in the other. Stuck on well here last time out and has to be included. 3. IMPREGNABLE (NR) trialled quite well before his debut on the synthetic where he tried hard behind Nasdex, who ran well at Caulfield on Saturday. Another untested in the wet but if he handles it he should be thereabouts.

RACE 2

One of the weaker races on the card, illustrated by tipping a 17 start maiden in 10. RUSSIAN RUBY (NR) largely because of her recent wet track form. It’s been consistent enough and while she was midfield at Cranbourne last time the betting tells you it was a stronger maiden than what she’d met previously. Go well without being too keen. 11. THIEVING MINX (NR) held her ground okay on debut on the Pakenham synthetic track and I’d suggest the extra distance here will be an advantage. Obviously unknown on the grass and wet but rather include than dismiss. 3. HARD TO KISS (NR) was a significant drifter in betting here last time out when out to a mile but he was placed twice over this course before that. Wide gate may or may not be a big deal but he tends to get back anyway. Each-way claims. 5. MAGMELLOU (NR) showed some promise on debut when running into a place on the grass at Pakenham then resumed on the synthetic at Geelong and was ordinary when well supported. Entitled to another chance.

RACE 3

Somewhat confident that 10. SLEEPLESS NIGHTS (NR) can dispense with her maiden status here after a close call when favourite at the last meeting at this track. Looked the winner until she was swamped in the last few strides there and in a similar race can go one better. 4. CARIBBEAN QUEEN (NR) is working up to a win with two solid performances this preparation for placings at Echuca and Cranbourne on heavy tracks. Has been placed over this course and she looks the logical danger. 7. MAUREEN (NR) has had a few chances, 15 of them to be exact, but she showed she’s not far off with a much improved second here at her third run back. Ready for the extra trip and drawn well. One of the main chances. 11. SPECIAL LOVER (NR) started an easing favourite when she resumed at Cranbourne having been placed in a Listed race in Adelaide before a spell. That was second-up so she’s a likely improver though there is a chance she’s not at home in the wet based on that fresh effort.

RACE 4

1. GALLANT SPUR (63) has a tendency to mix his form, which makes me nervous, but he did a pretty good job of scoring in the heavy at Moe last week. That was off a 23 day break so he’ll be hard fit on the back up and makes his own luck so can give a sight. 7. LOGOVARDI (54) was a beaten favourite last start but that was on a good track and he’s back into at least soft ground here. Obviously he doesn’t win out of turn but he’s been thereabouts and you don’t need much extra to go your way to be in the finish. 9. ELEKTRA LASS (57) is another that has been around the mark in recent starts without winning and she has handled the wet before with one of her two wins coming on a soft track. Each-way claims again. 4. WHINCUP (61) was placed after leading over this course four starts back and while his last couple have been a bit plain he’s capable of improving back here. Chances would increase if the track stays soft.

RACE 5

1. DANUKI (67) has shown a lot of promise and returns here as a gelding and having had a throat operation. He was competitive in three starts last time in including a placing over this course at the end of February. Only exposure to the wet under race conditions was on a soft 5 at the Valley so it’s still a bit of an unknown but he’s the best horse in the race and should run well. 3. GOLD HEIST (69) resumed with a very nice placing at Moonee Valley a few weeks back and she is proven in the wet. Yet to win second-up but she’s consistent and it wouldn’t surprise to see her go close. 6. BALLY PADDY (61) is another honest customer and he was run down here at the last meeting over 1206m but was clear of the third horse. He’ll be up there in or near the lead and is sure to be competitive again. 2. GO ONE BETTER (65) will appreciate the 3kg weight drop after an even placing at Moe when resuming. Has a liking for this track, his home track, and while up a notch in class he shouldn’t be far away again.

RACE 6

Open race. 7. THE BUNSTA (61) made a pleasing return over an unsuitable trip at Echuca and he boasts a much better second-up record. The extra distance is a big plus and all his good form is in the wet so expect him to improve and with the blinkers on he can take beating. 10. SHOW US YOUR TATTS (62) wasn’t quite up to city company last time in but wasn’t disgraced and she’s suited resuming in this class on a wet track. She’ll probably get back but sure to be hitting the line late. 14. DRY BISCUIT (60) has been thereabouts in two runs back and made plenty of ground into third over 1206m here second-up. Now getting out to a trip that really brings him into play he’s one of the main chances. 1. HOPLITES (66) was never a chance when he resumed at Flemington but would only have to reproduce his close second to Tally from three starts back to be in the finish. Not proven in the wet but the massive class drop gives him a chance.

RACE 7

2. TOP RAVINE (70) tried to lead all the way when resuming at Echuca and made a good fist of it only going down by half a length. He’ll be fitter for that and he broke his maiden over this course back in January before winning again in town. Should take catching here. 3. THE THUG (68) drifted in the betting first-up and only battled away at Sandown a bit over a month ago. He’s better than that, handles all conditions and I’d expect a sharp improvement. 7. THE TERRICKS (66) doesn’t win often but he’s one of those horses that is always around the top four or five in his races so he’s always a chance of running into a place. Even effort up to 2000m at Flemington last time and this is a lot easier. Keep in mind. 5. COLLINS STREET (67) has also been around the mark of late and made plenty of ground to finish fourth behind Oncidium Ruler at Cranbourne on a heavy track. Hasn’t won for a while but is at least an each-way chance again.

RACE 8

Not a lot of confidence in the last. 9. SINGLERAINE (60) produced her best with an all the way maiden win at Sale on a heavy track in June. Kept fresh since then and she’s drawn to land right on the pace again. While it’s hard to make the leap from a maiden win she’ll give a sight. 10. BRIGHT SPARK (59) romped in at Cranbourne three back on a soft track to win her maiden and she wasn’t disgraced at Echuca in a similar race last start. Might have to go forward from the wide gate but with even luck she can figure. 6. SMOKIN’ VALENTINA (61) is back in form with a handy second at Pakenham last week and while she isn’t proven in the wet she’s only had one attempt, which was here first-up from a spell. If she handles it this time she’s a good chance. 5. QUICK KISS (61) won well on the grass at Pakenham and had good support when a close third at CoIeraine a bit over a month ago. Rarely runs a bad race and wouldn’t expect that to change here.