Australia Day racing in Victoria heads to the Ladbrokes Park’s Hillside circuit for an eight-race program with the action getting underway at 1:20pm. Runners will race on a Good 4 surface.
Brendan Bunworth has studied the form and hopefully has found a couple of winners while you enjoy the public holiday over a BBQ and quiet drink. Check out his racing tips below!
Sandown Hillside Racing Tips: Australia Day 2023
Race 3
(2) The Instructor won well on debut for favourite backers and the punters were never worried with the Russian Revolution/Right of Way colt never troubled over the 1000m at Pakenham after he led the field. He has barrier 3 in this and may be able do lead again for Jordan Childs. Before that it was two comfortable winning jumpouts.
(3) Corniche for the Cummings team and Jamie Kah will attract support although he was only fair when running 3rd at The Valley last start. The son of Fastnet Rock must be kept safe in the market though.
(5) Amigo is a Peter Moody first starter who is out of Snitzel/You’re So Good. Won a recent 800m jumpout. Market may be the best guide to how good he is going.
(6) Capmala is out of Lohnro/Tahni Dancer and he is also a Moody first starter. Ben Melham takes the ride after he was 2nd to his stablemate in a jumpout on January 17.
(2) The Instructor
$4.50 (1 unit)
Race 4
(1) Exploring won well at her Flemington debut and will start one of the favourites in this. She remains at the 1000m distance and Craig Williams stays on. That win was on a Good 4 so the track should be fine for her to perform again.
(2) Aditi has the inside barrier and the Waterhouse & Bott runner will likely settle handy like she did on debut when she was 2nd at Flemington in the Maribyrnong.
(5) Tabata Set is having her first go on the Good in a race and has drawn poorly in barrier 14. She normally goes forward in her runs so Ethan Brown will have to try and get over without using too much petrol.
(8) All at One is a Peter Snowden first starter who is by Grunt/Hersigh. She hasn't shown much in her jumpouts but i wouldn't be letting this one get out to ridiculous odds.
(10) Elderberry is a first starter for the Freedman stable and she did win a recent jumpout at Mornington.
(1) Exploring
$4.00 (1 unit)
Race 6
(2) Esta La Roca is over the odds in this race i reckon and she does go well at this track. She is two from two here and her run in the Kensington Stakes wasnt as bad as it looked when 5th beaten less than 2L. She has been freshened since and she is a mare that does go well with a gap in between runs.
(4) Dragonstone drops back to 1000m and he will likely settle closer this time from barrier 3. He has placed in well over 50 percent of his starts and is an each-way play for punters or even a place bet.
(5) Star Patrol is the likely favourite but is first up from a five month spell. He has had two solid jumpouts in the lead up to this so should be fit enough.
(6) On The Lead won well last start after returning from NSW and if he sits in around 4th spot again in this, he can put it to them with Craig Williams on board.
(2) Esta La Roca e/w
$16.00/$4.50 (1 unit e/w)
Race 8
(8) Pal D’oro has a wide barrier to contend with in 12 but the Maher & Eustace stable do have a high opinion of this horse. His 3rd in the Chester Manifold was very good after he hit the front with 100m to go but he should be fitter now and with luck from the draw, should win. Before that effort it was two wins in a row on Good tracks.
(9) Umgawa likes it here and has drawn well in one. He will sit midfield and will be in the mix when the whips are cracking late.
(12) WIlliam Thomas drops 4kg in weight and will be running on from well back as he usually does. Will start around 50-1 and may be worth a place bet.
(5) Dawn Passage goes well at this distance and should settle handy. If they go slow up front he can surprise.
(8) Pal D’Oro
$4.20 (2 units)
Quaddie Tips
Leg one: 3, 6, 7, 8
Leg two: 2, 4, 5, 6
Leg three: 3, 4, 9
Leg four: 8, 9
