Sandown Park runs twelve races on Wednesday night, starting at 6:56pm. Most races are over 515m, with two over 595m and one staying race over 715m. Races 6, 7 and 8 are heats of the Great Chase, and they are the strongest races of the night.
Mepunga Turbo in Race 7 is our best bet. Dewana Lynette in Race 6 and Benarca Bell in Race 1 are both strong but short-priced. Mackenzie Rose in Race 12 is our value play.
Race 1 - Restricted Win (515m)
Selection: Benarca Bell (7) Current odds: $1.40
Benarca Bell ran a time when placing here last week that would win most races of this standard, so she should be hard to beat. The price is short, so she is best used in multis. Bull Rose has shown ability and should enjoy the longer trip, and Oscar Mike ran a useful race last start.
Selections:
- Benarca Bell (7) - $1.40
- Bull Rose (2) - $7.00
- Oscar Mike (5) - $5.00
- Flying Boss (1) - $18.00
Race 2 - Restricted Win (595m)
Selection: Okay Boss (5) Current odds: $3.00
Okay Boss drops in class and has the early speed to cross the field and lead, which is a big advantage over 595m. Flying Sara has her best draw in a while and suits this distance. Why Mummy has run well in her last two here over this trip, and she is the one we fear most.
Selections:
- Okay Boss (5) - $3.00
- Why Mummy (6) - $4.20
- Flying Sara (1) - $5.50
- Tracking You (4) - $7.00
Race 4 - Mixed 4/5 (595m)
Selection: Ready One (3) Current odds: $3.30
Ready One is in top form and should be in the first two early. Last start he placed behind a very good stayer, and this race looks easier. Lush Hour has a good draw to settle close to the lead and can run fast times at her best. Trumpet Tears should also find this easier than her last start.
Selections:
- Ready One (3) - $3.30
- Lush Hour (1) - $3.40
- Trumpet Tears (8) - $4.50
- Lektra Skip (4) - $6.50
Race 5 - Grade 5 (715m)
Selection: Paw Lovisa (5) Current odds: $2.60
Paw Lovisa is a bold front-running stayer and, if she leads, the others will have to run her down. The danger is Bold Assail, who has been flying in recent months and can put pressure on her in the middle of the race. There is little between the two in the market. Midnight Phantom has won his last two outside Sandown and is the pick of the rest.
Selections:
- Paw Lovisa (5) - $2.60
- Bold Assail (6) - $2.50
- Midnight Phantom (2) - $6.50
- Young Rufus (8) - $14.00
Race 6 - Great Chase Heat 4 (515m)
Selection: Dewana Lynette (7) Current odds: $1.70
Dewana Lynette resumes from a spell but has won three of her four starts and showed a lot of promise in her first preparation. She is hard to beat even fresh. The concern is fitness after the spell, so we would not stake heavily at the price. Mepunga Gypsy has the speed to lead, and Wah Elm is improving with every run.
Selections:
- Dewana Lynette (7) - $1.70
- Mepunga Gypsy (2) - $5.00
- Wah Elm (1) - $10.00
- Xara Navy (8) - $11.00
Race 7 - Great Chase Heat 5 (515m)
Selection: Mepunga Turbo (7) Current odds: $1.80
This is our best bet of the night. Mepunga Turbo has improved sharply and won his last two here in 29.38 and then 29.12, which is fast for a dog at this level. If he runs anything like that time again, the rest will struggle to keep up. Xara’s Keith is also improving and finishes strongly, and Fire Rated is drawn to settle on the speed. Kiwi Birchip is consistent and suits exotics.
Selections:
- Mepunga Turbo (7) - $1.80
- Xara’s Keith (2) - $4.50
- Fire Rated (1) - $9.50
- Kiwi Birchip (8) - $9.00
Race 8 - Great Chase Heat 6 (515m)
Selection: Mepunga Willow (2) Current odds: $3.70
This is the most even of the three heats. Mepunga Willow has won five of her ten starts and should find the rail and lead from box two. Xara’s Leon is a strong dog drawn in box one, right next to her. Biollante keeps running well at this track and distance. Stidham Arizona won well last start but needs luck from box eight.
Selections:
- Mepunga Willow (2) - $3.70
- Xara’s Leon (1) - $3.40
- Biollante (3) - $4.00
- Stidham Arizona (8) - $3.50
Race 9 - Grade 4 (515m)
Selection: Whispered (5) Current odds: $2.40
Whispered is better than most of this field and can win either by leading or by sitting just behind the leaders. General Franky is a quick dog with a perfect draw and will be close to the lead early. Those two look well clear of the rest, so a quinella is worth considering.
Selections:
- Whispered (5) - $2.40
- General Franky (1) - $2.10
- Paw Nimbus (4) - $5.50
- Paw Toronto (8) - $14.00
Race 10 - Mixed 4/5 (515m)
Selection: Attica Blue (3) Current odds: $2.60
Attica Blue and Oddly Cool are both racing here for the first time after strong country form. Attica Blue has won five of eleven starts and begins quickly, so we give her the edge. Oddly Cool has an excellent winning record and is the main danger. To Peru returns to a better distance for him and finishes strongly, so include him in exotics.
Selections:
- Attica Blue (3) - $2.60
- Oddly Cool (2) - $2.60
- To Peru (4) - $14.00
- Lektra Beta (1) - $7.00
Race 11 - Grade 5 (515m)
Selection: Hartland Willow (1) Current odds: $3.40
Hartland Willow has been very good in her recent runs at Shepparton, and from box one she can lead all the way. Full Noise was back to his best when running a fast placing at Warragul last week. Taw Unbound has talent but needs room to run.
Selections:
- Hartland Willow (1) - $3.40
- Full Noise (3) - $5.00
- Taw Unbound (6) - $3.50
- Moraine Koby (4) - $4.40
Race 12 - Grade 5 No Penalty (515m)
Selection: Mackenzie Rose (2) Current odds: $7.00
This is our value play to finish the night. Mackenzie Rose is a strong dog, and box two should give her a quick run along the rail while the dogs inside and outside her fight for the lead. Rita Paige should find the rail and lead for a long way, so she is the obvious danger. Lektra Solo ran fast when winning at Horsham recently.
Selections:
- Mackenzie Rose (2) - $7.00
- Rita Paige (1) - $2.60
- Lektra Solo (7) - $3.40
- Universe (4) - $10.00
