Melbourne: Comprehensive preview of every race at Sandown

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

Grand Dreamer (left, blue). Picture: Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images.

NOTE: Numbers in brackets are the official handicap ratings for each horse. Track rated Good 4 at time of writing, expecting into the soft 5-6 range.

RACE 1

He’s been very costly but 3. I BOOGI (NR) has another chance to break through in another typically wide open maiden. He was blown off the park by Kaching at Bendigo last time but safely held the others at bay and he did hit the line well in a 1200m maiden on the Lakeside before that. A loss with every chance would be a sackable offence. 7. CHAMPAGNE READY (NR) is bred to be pretty good and showed some ability on debut at Gosford back in March. Her trial at Rosehill was okay considering she clearly found it too short but was given a solid hitout. The 1400m fresh looks to suit and she’s a danger. 13. TOAN THANG (NR) started big odds on debut at Cranbourne and ran a blinder from last suggesting more ground is his go. I didn’t think he’d bob up in a city maiden but I wouldn’t be counting him out at decent odds. 11. POSITIVE CARRY (NR) and 12. SAN VINCENZO (NR) are debutants we haven’t seen a lot of. Nothing, to be frank, of Positive Carry, while San Vincenzo has had the odd quiet jump out. Watch betting as both are bred to be effective kicking off at this trip.

RACE 2

This might be a race worth watching a few times as there are some pretty handy three-year-olds going around. 3. RADCLIFFE (67) showed a bit of promise in his first prep beating Sezanne at his second start then placing in a strong race at the Hawkesbury carnival. I’m not placing much emphasis on his debut failure where he copped a bit of interference in the straight. Nice trial on the synthetic at Warwick Farm and I’d expect him to be competitive. 6. BARTHELONA (63) found the line nicely at his only start to win narrowly back in May and since the break he seems to have come on just looking at his last jump out. The 1000m might be a bit sharp for him but I’d be keeping him very safe. 9. ZELAMORE (61) was run down by Barthelona in that race as it happens and he returned with an impressive maiden win at Bairnsdale on the heavy. On pacer who will be in the hunt for a long way. 5. WANT TO ROCK (68) has contested much better races than this in her three starts for a Flemington win and midfield finishes in stakes races in her other two starts. Drawn well and it wouldn’t surprise to see her go close. I could make a case for the other five runners as well so it may be a strong race.

RACE 3

3. KEVIN’S TIME (62) showed very good improvement, and it was obviously expected, when charging home late to run third here a few weeks back at 1400m. The extra distance seems in his favour and he still has plenty of upside. Small negative with the outside gate but there is a very long run home here and he should get his chance. 4. SHOW US YOUR TATTS (66) proved her first-up run was no guide to how he’s going with a game win over a mile here three weeks back. Goes up in weight for staying in the same class and the use of only a 1.5kg claimer this time but the distance shouldn’t worry her and she’ll be close to a peak now. 5. MAGMELLOU (61) is another lightly raced galloper stepping up in distance who could well measure up. Only a narrow maiden winner last time but finished well to win an is worth including in the chances. 7. SWISS CRAFT (61) enjoyed a good run and defied a betting drift to win nicely at Pakenham at his third start. All three runs have been on the synthetic tracks so that’s the big query but he’s also on the up and in the right stable. Keep in mind.

RACE 4

10. SAINT VALOREM (67) is a promising horse who hasn’t put a foot wrong in five starts to date. Solid effort when resuming over this course earlier in the month and will be fitter. This is pretty much your standard midweek sprint and he might be a bit better than that. Take beating. 2. GUN CASE (84) was flying with three wins on end before a rather ordinary effort down the straight at Flemington. Getting back around a bend will probably suit and he did win over this course back in June. Entitled to another chance. 5. VILLOPOTO (76) comes through the same race as Saint Valorem and he finished just ahead of that horse behind Hellbent. Rarely far away and shouldn’t be left out of the main hopes. 8. THE DYNAMO (72) was placed twice behind Gun Case before beating him home at Flemington so he’s entitled to some consideration. Drawn well so should be able to get up near the lead as he likes and can give a sight.

RACE 5

8. WUTAI MOUNTAIN (64) gave a very big sight at her first run at this track in a fairly similar event and there’s no reason she couldn’t go one better. Expect she will push forward from the nine gate and be up on the speed and with 100m less might be harder to run down. 6. LONGKISSGOODNIGHT (64) has been around the mark of late and stuck on pretty well behind Moss ‘N’ Dale in what was a good form race back on August 7. Another who makes their own luck and she’s a good chance again. 5. WHITE HOUSE LADY (66) seemed to have her chance in the same race as Wutai Mountain, though whether getting an inside run was the right thing remains to be seen. Only beaten a length or so there and previous form was honest so she’s right in the mix. 1. MY OBSESSION (70) resumed with a fair third in a small field at Echuca but she’s never really been a first-up horse so will come out of it with improvement. Second-up record is much better and while she may be another run away from winning I’d definitely include her.

RACE 6

I was against 5. LEICA DAY (82) when he started silly odds second-up at Caulfield but I think he can get back on track here. His form has taken a dip at his second run generally so that wasn’t a big surprise but he fought on well in a race controlled by the winner Great Esteem, who has since won again. I think he’ll get a much better chance to wind up here and his fresh run was too good to knock him on last start. 12. GRAND DREAMER (72) ran right up to his nice first-up effort when romping home at Moonee Valley on August 20. He is a superior wet tracker so if we are faced with a soft track he’ll be in his element. Up in class but otherwise can’t fault him. 7. MAGIC CONSOL (81) stuck on for second behind Great Esteem at Caulfield last time out and he does have plenty of solid Saturday form to recommend him. He has just found it hard to win them but he can’t be overlooked here even with the tricky gate. 9. MAGICUS (78) didn’t have a lot of luck behind Marwood two starts back at 1400m then back in trip and not disgraced in a blanket finish at the Valley. Sharp jump to the mile is a bit of a query but he’s an honest horse who shouldn’t be left out.

RACE 7

1. DATA POINT (67) is the best horse in the race by a country mile despite what his rating may suggest. Bumped into a smart one first-up last prep in Popovich then Daniela Rosa, who is also pretty handy, before a midfield finish in the G1 Randwick Guineas and a solid effort behind the likes of He’s Our Rokkii and Odyssey Moon in the Carbine Club at Randwick. That’s real form and he lobs in a BM64 and the wide gate is probably a plus for a horse like him. I’d be surprised if he’s not in the finish. 10. HELL OR HIGHWATER (63) has a bit of race fitness on her side and she’s been competitive in her two runs back. I’d suggest if she’s going to be jumping out of the ground now it’ll be third or fourth up so she’s a good chance here. 2. PAY UP BRO (67) will appreciate getting out to the 1400m after running on as he usually does into third in the same race as the filly. He’ll likely do the same here from the wide gate but he’s shown on his day he can work home strongly so is an each-way chance at least. 9. HETUKA ZARSHO (60) is a little better than his recent form suggests and he has been in the market in his two runs back. Ran well when out to 1400m and beyond at the end of last prep and he could be a big improver now.

RACE 8

1. GREY STREET (73) is a little under rated and she’s unbeaten first-up and at this track (granted she’s only had one run here). Took on some good company last time in including a nice second to Petits Filous at Caulfield in March and there was plenty to like about her recent jump out performance at Mornington. Well in here with the claim and should take beating. 7. DIVINE CHILLS (68) is a promising mare resuming from a successful first preparation that wound up with a Flemington win in May. She may have to go back from the tricky alley and she’ll likely improve on whatever she does here but she’s a big chance. 13. MOQLA (70) takes on the older mares but gets plenty of weight from them to help her out. Both her wins have been in Adelaide including a stakes win back in May so it’ll be interesting to see how she lines up. Certainly the weights give her a good chance. 3. COOL SNITZEL (72) is a lot better than her first-up failure in the Lightning in Adelaide would suggest and she’s definitely worth another chance. Darren Weir doesn’t usually fail to get the best out of a horse and she has the ability to turn things around quickly. Check the betting for a pointer too.