Brad Waters’ horses to follow and forgive from Sandown Lakeside

Racenet’s Brad Waters provides his runners to both follow and forgive from racing at Sandown Lakeside on Saturday.

Sunshineinmypocket ridden by Jaylah Kennedy wins the Nick Johnstone Real Estate Handicap on Saturday Picture: Pat Scala

Stakes racing returned to Melbourne at Sandown Lakeside on Saturday and that 10-race card produced plenty of food for thought for punters.

FIVE TO FOLLOW:

EMPRESSIVE ENUFF: had to do a bit of work early after he was caught wide and was forced to stride forward midrace to settle handy to the lead. The Dean Binaisse-trained galloper was entitled to tire in the straight but fought on solidly in the last 200m. The six-year-old wasn’t beaten far and can pinch a win with a bit more luck soon.

MY GLADIOLA: is one of the obvious ones to follow out of the Sandown meeting after her impressive win in the fillies’ Blue Diamond Preview. She showed enough speed to race just behind the leaders but the grey showed terrific acceleration to hit the lead halfway down the straight. She did a few things wrong but My Gladiola won easily. She’ll only get better.

My Gladiola was ultra impressive landing the Blue Diamond Preview on debut Picture: Vince Caligiuri

MATRON BULLWINKEL: is working through her first preparation for the Mitchell Leek stable after previously racing in the Ciaron Maher camp. Leek has the mare going well and the six-year-old closed soundly in the straight to finish 2.8 lengths from the winner Kings Valley. She’s hard fit now after four runs in and can break through soon.

TORRANZINO: was unsuited in a Listed race over 1400m at his first run for six weeks but the Paul Preusker-trained gelding did a good job. He raced well off a solid tempo but steadily made ground on some smart horses in the straight. There’s a suitable 1600m race on a big track around the corner for him.

SUNSHINEINMYPOCKET: showed he was a real competitor with his first-up win. He gave a start at his first run but steadily improved from the home turn. He chased hard to get on terms with the leaders and just peaked on his run late but his will to win got him home narrowly, a great sign for a progressive type.

CRUNCH TIME:

PHILOSOPHER impressed with his win in the Listed Adams Stakes and his last 600m of 31.92 seconds ensured he posted his first black type win in style. SIR ATLAS went close in the second race of the day, clocking the fastest last 400m of the day in 21.35 seconds, forcing the short-priced favourite REVELARE to clock the quickest last 200m of the day, 10.55 seconds, to beat him. ROYAL INSIGNIA made a statement when winning the Manfred Stakes, clocking the third fastest last 400m and 200m sectionals in 21.52 seconds and 10.99 seconds respectively.

Philosopher returns after taking out the W.J. Adams Stakes

PLEASE FORGIVE:

PALM ANGEL: Palm Angel started as the $3.80 favourite in the fillies’ Blue Diamond Preview but things didn’t go to plan. Palm Angel raced wide from the tough draw, which is extremely difficult for a two-year-old to handle, and she might have got a bit lost in the last 200m. She’s worth another chance.

PONDALOWIE: Beaten $2.80 favourite but circumstances played against her in the Adams Stakes, ensuring she gave too much start. Pondalowie faced an impossible task when the winner Philosopher broke 32 seconds for his last 600m. Pondalowie can improve with that run under her belt.

TRACK TALK:

“The legend of her will live on with him,” trainer Grahame Begg paid tribute to Royal Insignia’s dam Yau Chin after the mare, who also produced Blue Diamond winner Written By, was euthanised the day before her son’s Manfred Stakes win.

“The race that I’ve earmarked, because he’s quite a good handicap horse, is getting him ready for the Stradbroke (Handicap in Brisbane),” co-trainer Will Freedman has a long-range plan for Sandown winner Coastwatch.

“He’s the ultimate professional,” co-trainer Ben Hayes said Shining Smile’s racing manners went a long way in the youngster’s win in the Blue Diamond Preview for colts and geldings.

Coastwatch wins the John Dillon Stakes on Saturday Picture: Holburt/Racing Photos

STEWARDS SAY:

Redders (Unplaced Race 3) - Post-race examination revealed a slow recovery.

Jockey Liam Riordan found guilty of careless riding on Redders. Suspended for 14 meetings.

Too Darn Crystal (Unplaced Race 4) - Post-race examination revealed a slow recovery.

Fickle (Unplaced Race 5) - Rider Jamie Melham reported the mare may be better suited on tighter turning tracks and a shorter straight.

Overactive (Third Race 10) - Held up for clear running from the 500m until passing the 200m.

Better Link (Unplaced Race 10) - Rider Daniel Moor reported the gelding would be better suited on tracks with more give.

Originally published as Brad Waters’ horses to follow and forgive from Sandown Lakeside