RACE 1:
Track rated a soft 6 on Monay afternoon and no forecast of any rain next two days, so the surface should be fine. Been impressed with the jumpout efforts of NEVER LET ME GO. She trounced her rivals at Cranbourne before a close third to proven performers Mr Exclusive and Wolflands on a hevay track at Cranbourne. She looks talented and can test these. REGAL ZEUS has been gelded since failing in Listed class at Hillside in January and he showed great pace to lead all the way in his recent jumpout effort. CREEK has had two honest jumpout performamces at Flemington and has been well held together in both. Will get the gun run. ESTE DIA is from the same family as Weekend Hussler and has also looked good at the jumpouts.
Suggested bet: Never Let Me Go to win. Also taking boxed exacta 2,5,9.
RACE 2:
THINK I’M DIVINE is resuming but showed some talent last year with a couple of placings over this course and distance. Liked her recent jumpout win when she sat wide most of the trip, went very wide on the bend but finished powerfully when given more rein last little bit. Drawn well here and looks a leading contender. KHALIDA was okay when resuming and the run is better that it looks on paper. Came home in second fastest last 200m of the race when a closing 6th at Cranbourne. Will be better for the run. SHADOWIST jumped out very well at Pakenham and gets blinkers on here. SHEEZA FACTOR has been placed last two at this track and worth thought again.
Suggested bet: Think I’m Divine to win.
Satin Image will be hard to beat at Sale on Wednesday.
RACE 3:
Looks a good race for KOLLANTAI to break through. Did get all the favours in the run but boxed on very well in the straight when narrowly beaten by Queen Latifa at Cranbourne. Will have no issue with the extra 100m and ready to win. SHEBRINGS BEAUTY ran on fairly at Bairnsdale last start without ever threatening the winner but finds a race to suit and looks the genuine danger. SALOU is a first starter from the strong Busuttin-Young yard and has jumped out well enough. Looks like 1400m will suit him. VICTIM OF FATE rallied late in a jumpout at Pakenham and could run on again here.
Suggested bet: Kollantai to win and 4,6 for the exacta.
RACE 4:
UPWOODS is a former Kiwi galloper who was gelded before his Aussie debut when he had to be used up to lead at Pakenham and looked likely to be overrun in the straight but he kept fighting only to be pinned on the line. All the better for the run and, with the rails draw here, may not have to lead, instead taking a sit. This is his race to lose. LAVISH THINKER was only fair when resuming at Geelong but he battled on okay. He has placings at Geelong and Bendigo to his credit and will be a lot fitter. Gets blinkers on to keep his mind on the job. GALLIUM ducked back to the inside and tried hard in the straight at Pakenham when Upwoods was second. Improving filly. LARABELLE has been placed last three in heavy ground and has claims despite dropping in distance.
Suggested bet: Likely to be no fancy price but Upwoods should win.
RACE 5:
SIR ROCKFORD is an improving middle distance performer. Loved his Werribee maiden win when he rushed home from the back to win as he liked and his closing 200m was comparable to the best of the day. Sat on pace last start and battled on very well in the wet conditions at Hillside. Ollie sticks with him too. RED ON RED looked the winner until last 20m when nabbed by Gimme A Buzz at Moe. That was his first start for seven weeks and he drops 3kg here. Looks a strong chance. SATIN IMAGE will lead as she did last start when scoring a soft win at Pakenham. Will take running down. KENTAHTEN is very honest and drawn to get a good run.
Suggested bet: Sir Rockford to win.
RACE 6:
Highland Hill holds the key to the race. If he crosses over and tries to take on Flying Basil for the front, that will set the race up for SOUND OF CANNONS. I’m thinking that will be the scenario and will allow Sound Of Cannons to park just off speed as he did at Hillside behind the talented Jaykayann. Just didn’t relish the heavy track at Cranbourne last start. Better conditions here will see him go close. FLYING BASIL is the danger after a brilliant all-the-way win at Bairnsdale last start and gets 1kg less in this slightly harder grade. Was a Lakeside winner back in March leading all the way but just worried he may get pestered in front. CRU CLASSE also failed in the heavy last start but his previous two efforts were strong. HIGHLAND HILL has some claims.
Suggested bet: Sound Of Cannons to win.
Liberty Steps can send punters home on a winning note in the last race at Sale.
RACE 7:
JUNGLE SENSATION is a 1000m specialist and resumed with a fighting effort behind the very smart Squad at Hillside two weeks back. Has a good second-up record, drawn well to have a cosy run on speed and likes the soft track conditions. Will go close. FIELD OF FLUTES only beat two rivals at the Bool last start but he did it with ease and he also likes the 1000m trip. Improving sprinter. RAIN LORD, like Field Of Flutes, is a 3yo and his jumpout win at Flemington recently was very good. Should go well fresh. TAX FREE PROPHET is normally consistent in this grade and won’t be far away. Gets the blinkers back on.
Suggested bet: Jungle Sensation each way.
RACE 8:
Think the value here is with LIBERTY STEPS. Loved his recent trial at Tatura over 1100m when he led under double wraps and then held together to the line when nabbed late. Contested much stronger raced last in work and he does have plenty of ability on his day. There should be a lot of speed on here and he’s drawn to get the gun run and then unleash late. HEYWOOD wasn’t disgraced resuming at Pakenham last month and he has had top up trial at Werribee when he hit the line hard under a good hold. RAKEMELO was strong late winning at Pakenham in slightly weaker grade but looks to be on the improve. Likewise RYLOV, who has been kept fresh since his Pakenham win. Just worried about the big weight for BLOOD OATH.
Suggested bet: Liberty Steps each way.
Best bet:
Sir Rockford (race 5)
Best value:
Liberty Steps (race 8)