Pakenham trainer John Leek Jr has found the perfect assignment for consistent mare Frigid at Saturday’s Sandown Hillside meeting.
BEST BET
FRIGID (Race 4, No. 4)
Frigid closed well at Warrnambool before another solid effort at Sandown last time out. She drops in class and looks ready to prevail.
VALUE BET
MAKRAM (Race 9, No. 2)
Makram wasn’t far away when resuming and is a class performer when right. His second-up record is terrific so watch for him late.
EARLY QUADDIE
1, 5, 7, 10/1, 2, 6, 9, 10/4, 8/1, 2, 4, 7
$100 flexi for 62.5 per cent
BIG6
4, 8/1, 2, 4, 7/1, 8, 9, 15, 20/1, 3, 4, 10/2, 3, 8, 13/1, 2, 4
$100 flexi for 7.4 per cent
QUADDIE
Race 6: 1, 8, 9, 15, 20
Race 7: 1, 3, 4, 10
Race 8: 2, 3, 8, 13
Race 9: 1, 2, 4
$100 flexi for 41.6 per cent
Mornington trainer John McArdle has a great chance of a Sandown win with El Rocko on Saturday. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images
RACE 1: 11:50AM LADBROKES RACING CLUB HANDICAP (1000m)
Expecting a soft track at best for Saturday’s meeting. Tricky two-year-old race to start the day but going with the Waterhouse/Bott-trained MARCHING (7) to go one better than his narrow first-up second at Bendigo. He’ll be harder to run down. Sydney youngster MAFIA (1) was a strong first-up winner and should be fitter. MISS GABBIANO (11) has performed well at the jumpouts and has drawn well. The Chris Waller-trained LISTENTOZOU (5) has also shown something at the jumpouts.
SUGGESTED BET: Marching each-way.
TAB MARKET MOVER: Listentozou $5 – $2.80.
RACE 2: 12:25PM QUAYCLEAN HANDICAP (1300m)
An even race but HAZEL BABY (1) has steadily progressed this time in and could measure up to this tougher assignment with only 52kg after Carleen Hefel’s claim. EXTRATWO (7) was an easy first-up winner and could perform well again from the perfect gate. JENNY JEROME (1) ran on hard to get up narrowly at Flemington last time out and will be around the mark again. VAGRANT (5) has raced well this time in and should perform well.
SUGGESTED BET: Hazel Baby each-way.
TAB MARKET MOVER: Extratwo $5 – $3.70
RACE 3: 1:00PM EVERGREEN TURF HANDICAP (2400m)
Hard to go past JAYKAYANN (9), who is racing in outstanding form for the Patrick Payne camp. She can post her fourth straight win on Saturday. MYSTERY ISLAND (2) got home narrowly at Damien Oliver sticks with him. SOUND OF CANNONS (12) produced a fighting effort to score at Sale last time out and the form out of that race stood up on Wednesday. SKY OUT (6) was outsprinted over 2000m at Ballarat and this trip looks suitable now.
SUGGESTED BET: Jaykayann to win.
TAB MARKET MOVER: Jaykayann $3.20 – $2.30.
Elkington Road (red sleeves) will attempt his fighting last start win when he steps out at Sandown on Saturday. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images
RACE 4: 1:35PM SENET GAMBLING LAW EXPERTS HANDICAP (1600m)
FRIGID (4) is ready to win after an excellent first-up effort at Warrnambool before another solid performance at Sandown last time. The class drop will be perfect for her. LADY ADELAIDE (8) pushed forward and tried hard second-up but will be fitter for this. BLACKCOMB (19) was narrowly beaten in an easier race fresh but she’ll be fitter and a rise in trip suits. LET’S SAY GRACE (15) returned to racing a winner and is a chance to improve her promising record at Sandown.
SUGGESTED BET: Frigid to win.
TAB MARKET MOVER: Arktika $5.50 – $4.80.
RACE 5: 2:10PM STOW STORAGE SOLUTIONS HANDICAP (1000m)
The smallest field of the day still presents a challenge for punters. SAM’S IMAGE (7) did a good job under a big weight at Flemington second-up and drops 10kg for this. He could be tough to run down again. GENERAL BEAU (1) drops back from a sound run at Group 1 level and will be suited at 1000m. CURRAN (2) is another dropping in class that should go well. DANCE TO DUBAI (4) is a handy mare that has jumped out well leading up to this.
SUGGESTED BET: Sam’s Image each-way.
TAB MARKET MOVER: Nasraawy $13 – $9.50.
RACE 6: 2:45PM TOBIN BROTHERS CELEBRATING LIVES HANDICAP (1600m)
EL ROCKO (8) was outsprinted by the talented Brayden Star here last time out but could be ready to break through down a level in grade. CRACKERJACK PRINCE (20) ran on steadily at Flemington second-up and has been freshened since, which is a plus. FLASH FLOOD (9) had a short break after a narrow defeat at Warrnambool but should performed well again. THE BIG BUZZ (15) ran on soundly at Cranbourne second-up and has been kept on the fresh side for this.
SUGGESTED BET: El Rocko to win.
TAB MARKET MOVER: Mutamanni $3.50 – $3.20
Classy performer Makram could end Saturday’s Sandown meeting on a high for connections with a win in the last race. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images
RACE 7: 3:20PM IVE > HANDICAP (1600m)
ELKINGTON ROAD (1) finally broke through for a deserved win here last time out and he could go on with the job with only 3kg over the limit after Wiremu Pinn’s claim. GOLDEN PATH (10) impressed with his dominant maiden win and could handle the steep rise in class. CASTILLIAN (3) ran on well when not far away at Flemington last Saturday and has blinkers on for this. BELTHIL (4) did his best work late at Flemington and should be fitter again for that.
SUGGESTED BET: Elkington Road to win.
TAB MARKET: Golden Path $7.50 – $3.60.
RACE 8: 4:00PM THOROUGHBRED CLUB AUSTRALIA HANDICAP (1300m)
HE’S OUR BONNEVAL (2) showed he was ready to win with a strong second on this track last time out and dropping back to 1300m won’t worry him. SESSIONS ROAD (3) ran on OK when not far away down the straight at Flemington but races well at 1300m. SIG POSITANO (13) wove through well when narrowly beaten second-up and will be fitter again.
SUGGESTED BET: He’s Our Bonneval to win.
TAB MARKET MOVER: He’s Our Bonneval $4 – $3.40.
RACE 9: 4:34PM THE TILE IMPORTER HANDICAP (1800m)
Tough finish to the meeting but MAKRAM (2) can improve on a pleasing first-up run and he is one of the class runners of the race. MASERARTIE BAY (4) was outsprinted over 1600m first-up and has a strong second-up record. STATION ONE (14) led and faded at Cranbourne first-up and could be harder to run down this time. MILFORD (1) made ground at Flemington fresh and won’t be far away.
SUGGESTED BET: Makram to win.
TAB MARKET MOVER: Normandy Bridge $4 – $3.50.