The Early Oil: Herald Sun racing writer Matt Stewart gives his extended preview of Saturday’s Sandown Hillside meeting

FILLE Champagne is a nicely bred, genuinely promising filly and that has been enough for the Herald Sun’s Matt Stewart to select her on top at Sandown.

Michelle Payne and Tavi Bay (green silks) charge out of the pack to salute on Oaks Day at Flemington. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

FILLE Champagne is a nicely bred, genuinely promising filly and that has been enough for the Herald Sun’s Matt Stewart to select her on top at Sandown Hillside.

Stewart says the opening event is a pretty deep race but Fille Champagne has more upside than most of them and he has singled her out as his best bet for the day.

BEST BET

FILLE CHAMPAGNE

(Race 1, No. 3)

Pretty deep race but has more upside than most of them.

EASY QUADDIE

3,4/1,2,3,4,9/4,6,9,10/FIELD

VALUE BET

ZENITHAL

(Race 7, No. 8)

No star but working to a win and an each-way chance.

BIG SIX

4,6,9,10/FIELD/1,5,6,9,10/2,4,5,6,7,8/2,5,8/FIELD

QUADDIE

1,5,6,9,10/2,4,5,6,7,8/2,5,8/FIELD

RACE 1: BLUE STAR GROUP HANDICAP 1PM

GOOD little race. Keen on FILLE CHAMPAGNE (3) and LOVANI (4). Fille Champagne is a nicely bred, genuinely promising filly. Bolted home in a 64 at Pakenham then stuck on well in handy race last time. Can get nice sit off good speed here form handy alley. Lovani is a professional on-pace type who keeps getting the job done. INVICTIM DOMINA (1) will benefit from the claim and is in terrific form. Ditto ALMA’S ROSSA (2). Next best ADRA STORM (5).

SUGGESTED BET: Each-way No 3.

RACE 2: YARRAMALONG RACING CLUB HANDICAP 1.35PM

PEARL CONGEINAL (9) looks well placed, advantaged by claim and inside draw. Her formlines stack up really well for this (Gretna placing etc). INVINCIBLE AL (1) beat a very good horse in Wise Hero two starts back then ran right up to it with solid placing to Khaki at Flemington. Khaki would win this. CAPANELLO (2) is lightly raced and promising. Long odds-on winner first up, when solid but not spectacular. GHENWAA (4) and MR SNEAKY (3) have some claims.

SUGGESTED BET: Each-way No 9.

RACE 3: ARGYLE MAINTENANCE HANDICAP 2.10PM

Another good race. AMADEUS (9) was a victim of the boas at Werribee where ran on late for excellent placing to promising CRYSTAL DREAMER (4), who again has claims. RICH CHARM (6) goes fast and has run well in better races. I’M A FLYING STAR (10) was crunched late in betting when close-up first-up at the Valley to DANCE WITH FONTEIN (5). Can turn the tables here. Heaps of other chances.

SUGGESTED BET: Each-way No 9.

Michelle Payne and Tavi Bay (green silks) charge out of the pack to salute on Oaks Day at Flemington. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

RACE 4: RIDGEVIEW PARK THOROUGHBRED STUD HANDICAP 2.45PM

Impossible. Most of these have entwined form through same races and not much between them. Worth noting TAVI BAY (4) simply didn’t stretch out on firm track last start. First-up win was excellent and can improve dramatically. MOUNT OMEI (12) was excellent behind Tavi Bay two starts back then was just nosed out as fav last start. Tricky gate but hard to beat. Stacks of others have the Hell Or Highwater formline through last start when little between them.

SUGGESTED BET: Get a hot dog.

RACE 5: SWETTENHAM STUD SUMMER CHAMPIONSHIP HEAT 4 3.20PM

Lots of grand old codgers here. Key chances appear to be more youthful SOVEREIGN NATION (5), who has been freshened since spring when competitive in better races, AIRALIGN (6), who beat BAEET (9) first-up and has an even better second up record and improving STAR FORTUNE (8). BURNING FRONT (1) is working towards fitness and has a great chance also.

SUGGESTED BET: Each-way No 5.

Rewarding Effort wins at Pakenham in June. Picture: Racing Photos

RACE 6: LABROKES UP FOR THE CHALLENGE HANDICAP 4PM

REWARDING EFFORT (6) either disappoints or sprouts wings. If Hillside plays the usual way — runners-on suited — then he can run over the top of them. DUBAI KING (2) is an in-form frontrunner who defeated last start winner Dane Thunder two starts back. VILLOPOTO (5) is flying and ran well in what’s proving a good form race at the Bool last start. BLACK SHEEP (1), AURUM SPIRIT (4), CASTLE HACKETT (7) and SHOCKAHOLIC (8) have chances, in no particular order.

SUGGESTED BET: Maybe No 6 but he can disappoint.

RACE 7: OTI RACING HANDICAP 4.40PM

ZENITHAL (8) is grinding away towards another win and is good value. ZOURKHAN (5) really hit the line in NSW last start and gets Ollie. SHIKAPOUR (2) is a freewheeling type of import who is racing well and will be well in the market. GANDDUKEOFTSCANY (4) resumes after over a year off. Talented import and Lloyd proved with that grey thing that looks like a clerk of the course’s pony that he can win with these imports after long time off.

SUGGESTED BET: Each-way No 8.

RACE 8: LE PINE FUNERALS HANDICAP 5.20PM

Load up. Heaps of chances. MA JONES (7) prefers it further but they’ll run along and she’s a chance of running them down fresh-up. RICH LUCK (11) looks highly promising and terrific chance but this is a deep race. TANGO ROCK (12) flew home first-up and this track will suit. Chances also to LAND OF FREEDOM (4), TOP ME UP (5), CAT’S WISH (6), PURE ADDIC TION (7) and LABUAN STAR (9) — again, in no particular order.

SUGGESTED BET: Throw the big “f” in quaddie.

Originally published as The Early Oil: Herald Sun racing writer Matt Stewart gives his extended preview of Saturday’s Sandown Hillside meeting