Raceday focus: Best bets, analysis for Sandown on Wednesday

Punters can bet with confidence on jockey Damien Thornton’s mount in the first race of Wednesday’s Sandown Hillside meeting.

Jockey Damien Thornton can give punters the perfect start to Wednesday’s Sandown Hillside meeting. Picture : Racing Photos via Getty Images.

Herald Sun form analyst Brad Waters runs the rule over Wednesday’s meeting at Sandown.

BEST BET

OCEAN RAIDER (Race 1 No.5 - $2.30)

Working up to a win after another solid second at Sandown last time out. He’s drawn barrier one and rates a great chance to break through on Wednesday.

NEXT BEST

RACCOLTO (Race 6 No.7 - $4)

Plenty to like about the way Raccolto finished off at Pakenham second-up. She’ll be fitter again for that outing and the step to 1800m should be perfect for the daughter of Pierro.

OUR MODENA (Race 7 No. 3 - $5.50)

Our Modena closed well late in a strong Saturday race at Flemington last start and might find this a touch easier. Expecting her to go close here.

OVER THE SKY (Race 8 No.1 - $3.40)

Over The Sky faces a tricky field for his second-up run but the five-year-old has the quality to overcome promising opposition. He went down narrowly first-up but will be harder to hold out this time.

Smart galloper Over The Sky will be hard to beat second-up at Sandown Hillside meeting. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images

THE JOCKEY

DAMIEN THORNTON

Damien Thornton has four rides at Sandown but most look to have strong winning chances. OCEAN RAIDER (Race 1 No.5 - $2.30), FROSTWOOD (Race 3 No.6 - $26), EURO DANDY (Race 4 No.4 - $12), LOGAN STREET LION (Race 8 No.7 - $4.60).

THE WEEK AHEAD

Kilmore holds a day meeting on Thursday. Pakenham hosts Thursday night’s meeting before The Valley holds Friday night’s card, which follows the Colac Cup meeting during the day. Caulfield will host the first Melbourne Group 1 race of 2022 on Saturday with the running of the CF Orr Stakes. Yarra Valley also races on Saturday while the Buchan Cup picnic meeting is also scheduled.

Originally published as Raceday focus: Best bets, analysis for Sandown on Wednesday