Sandown Park runs twelve races on Thursday night, starting at 7:04pm. Most are over 515m, with two over 595m and one staying race over 715m. Several races have vacant boxes, which helps dogs drawn next to an empty box find room early.
Our best bet is Whiskey Whiskers in Race 8. Power Squeeze in Race 4 is the most likely winner on the card, but he is $1.80. Our value play is Broken Halo in Race 6.
Race 1 - Mixed 6/7 Final (515m)
Selection: Paw Maddison (2) Current odds: $2.80
Paw Maddison won here two starts ago in 29.52, which is a fast time for this grade. From box two she has the early speed to beat Little Weasel in box one to the front and lead. Big Watch has been placed in six of her eight starts at this track and should be close to the pace all the way, so she is the main danger. Our Bank began very quickly to win his heat and cannot be left out. Go Barbara is scratched.
Selections:
- Paw Maddison (2) - $2.80
- Big Watch (6) - $4.00
- Little Weasel (1) - $10.00
- Our Bank (3) - $6.00
Race 2 - Grade 4 (515m)
Selection: Giacomo (1) Current odds: $3.00
Giacomo has been racing against better dogs than these without much luck. He has 24 wins from 87 starts and gets box one in a six-dog field, so this is his chance to get back on track. Paw Vortex ran 29.48 to win here last start, which is the best recent time in the race, and he is the danger if he gets a clear run through the middle. Paw Carver has been good in his last two and begins well.
Selections:
- Giacomo (1) - $3.00
- Paw Vortex (5) - $4.20
- Paw Carver (4) - $6.00
- Stream It (2) - $7.00
Race 4 - Mixed 4/5 (715m)
Selection: Power Squeeze (5) Current odds: $1.80
Power Squeeze is one of the best stayers racing in Victoria and meets only five rivals. Box six beside him is vacant, so he should get a clean run to the first turn, and he is the strongest dog in the race over the last 200m. The price is short, so he suits multis better than a single bet. Derry won over this trip here two starts ago in 41.83 and is the clear second pick. Mepunga Donna is back in form and finishes well.
Selections:
- Power Squeeze (5) - $1.80
- Derry (7) - $4.00
- Mepunga Donna (4) - $8.00
- Paw Fortress (1) - $9.00
Race 6 - Grade 5 (595m)
Selection: Broken Halo (8) Current odds: $3.00
Broken Halo is very quick in the first few strides after the start. From box eight he has nothing outside him, so if he begins as he usually does he can cross and open a lead before the first turn. The question is whether he holds on over 595m, and that is why this is a value play and not a best bet. Mepunga Sandy led all the way here two starts ago and will be right there if she jumps with him. Cheeky Chompers and Opawa Emily are both capable of running on late.
Selections:
- Broken Halo (8) - $3.00
- Mepunga Sandy (7) - $4.80
- Cheeky Chompers (4) - $7.00
- Opawa Emily (3) - $4.60
Race 8 - Mixed 4/5 (595m)
Selection: Whiskey Whiskers (4) Current odds: $2.80
Whiskey Whiskers won over this track and distance last week in 33.96, which was an outstanding run, and he has 11 wins from 35 starts. Box five is vacant, so he has room on his outside at the start. If he repeats last week’s time he wins. This is our best bet of the night.
Espoir is the danger and is the same price. She has box one and the speed to lead, so Whiskey Whiskers may have to run her down. Electrify has plenty of ability but needs luck in running.
Selections:
- Whiskey Whiskers (4) - $2.80
- Espoir (1) - $2.80
- Electrify (6) - $6.00
- Magic Loki (3) - $16.00
Race 10 - Grade 5 (515m)
Selection: Mepunga Summit (1) Current odds: $2.80
Mepunga Summit ran well here last start and now gets box one, which should give him a clear run along the rail. Atticus has won two of his three starts at Sandown and has a vacant box outside him, so he is the main danger. Especial Hugo led all the way to win here last start and has a lot of early speed.
Selections:
- Mepunga Summit (1) - $2.80
- Atticus (4) - $3.40
- Especial Hugo (6) - $7.50
- Scott Gnarly (7) - $6.00
Race 11 - Grade 5 (515m)
Selection: Opawa Fannin (1) Current odds: $2.80
Opawa Fannin won at The Meadows last start in 29.97 and has been in the first two in 27 of his 37 starts. From box one he is drawn to lead again. Spring Victoria is the same price and had no luck here last week. She has the ability to win if she gets a clear run from box seven. Spiralling ran well two starts ago and is the best of the rest.
Selections:
- Opawa Fannin (1) - $2.80
- Spring Victoria (7) - $2.80
- Spiralling (8) - $10.00
- Blue Trombone (2) - $12.00
Race 12 - Grade 5 (515m)
Selection: Paw Iowa (2) Current odds: $3.00
Paw Iowa has won four of his nine starts, including a 30.09 win at The Meadows three runs ago, and this looks a suitable grade for him. Chatterbug is drawn in box one and has been unlucky in her recent runs. Ian Albert has the early speed to cross from box seven and improved last start.
Selections:
- Paw Iowa (2) - $3.00
- Chatterbug (1) - $4.60
- Ian Albert (7) - $4.00
- Ivory Mihara (6) - $8.00
