Welcome to our preview and horse racing betting tips for the Easter Monday meeting at Sandown on Monday, April 2nd.
We have an eight-race card on a Good 4 track with the rail in the 8m position.
We have betting tips and comments for every race on the card below!
SANDOWN RACING TIPS
Best Bet: Race 7 #13 William Thomas
Best Value: Race 5 #11 Hectopascal
RACE 1
Very low race to start off. Looked only three chances on paper to me but there’s a few with no form that are first up, and that means anything could happen. Sided with the favourite (11) Valeria Messalina who was good on debut back in October, when charging home to run 2nd over 1200m. Pulled up lame when failing at its second start and sent straight for a spell. Resumes here with Jamie Mott on board from the inside gate. Looks hard to beat at the mile with not much to beat here. (7) Silence The Stars looks the one he’ll have to beat. He ran 2nd first up at Warrnammbool and didn’t get much luck last start so with Williams on board he’ll be competitive again. (2) blaze Ahead won his most recent trial.
TIP: (11) Valeria Messalina
RACE 2
Wide open race. If (11) Sunquest puts his best foot forward he’ll probably win this but he’s had plenty of chances. (17) High ‘N’ Dry comes out of the same race first up as what Sunquest did last start. Gets the blinkers on for the first time here and looks a chance. (3) Box On Collins might be the one worth sticking with. Backed off the map first up in Adelaide in BM70 grade but failed. Gets the tongue tie on for the first time today so may have choked down in Adelaide? Back to Melbourne and back to maiden grade here. Smart stable, wouldn’t discount him at $12.
TIP: (3) Box On Collins EW
RACE 3
Competitive little race. With (6) Don’t Take No who broke through two starts ago and then charged home late last start over 1300m at this track and in this grade. The value could be Darren Weir’s (9) Rayaheen who follows the tried and tested method of a provincial win straight into a city race with Damian Lane aboard. $16 looks over the odds. (4) Dancing Tycoon was good when favourite over the 1300m here last start. Gets a handy claim for Steph Thornton. (10) Zedda and (11) Second Marriage chances.
TIP: (6) Don’t Take No / (9) Rayaheen EW
RACE 4
(3) Herecomesmybaby looks awfully hard to beat here. She’s won two of her three career starts and bolted in last start. Draws well and Damien Oliver sticks with her. Looks capable of handling the step up to this grade. The big value in the race could be (10) Isle Of Capri for Waller. She’s been tested over longer trips in her past couple but she’s failed to run the trip. Drops back to 1500m here and the inside gate means she’ll be ridden positively. She’s capable of winning this at $17.
TIP: (3) Herecomesmybaby / (10) Isle Of Capri EW
RACE 5
Even race with no real standouts. At $6/$2.40, (11) Hectopascal looks a decent each way bet. She had a 55 day break in the middle of her preparation, and was first up from that two starts ago when finishing last in a field of 4 (was also a big drifter in betting). She was much better last start to run 2nd and now gets to a track and distance she likes third up from a ‘spell’. Draws well and Ethan Brown gets back aboard her. He rode her when she last won (at this track and distance) so she looks primed to win today. Wouldn’t be surprised to see (10) Electric Tribute go well today at big odds, second up with the inside draw. (8) Toorak Cowboy and (5) Sister Kitty Mac other chances.
TIP: (11) Hectopascal EW
RACE 6
This is a great race. Sticking with (2) That Rings A Bell who should be hard to hold out fresh here. First up last prep she bolted in at Bendigo to win by 3L and Damien Oliver keeps the ride on her today despite the big weight. $4.80 is a fair price. (15) Niamh Chinn Oir is knocking on the door for a city win this preparation after backing up an easy picnics win with two solid efforts at the Valley and Mornington. (4) Luqyaa can be forgiven for pulling up lame in a strong race first up, while (9) Journeygirl and (10) Super Snob are both in with good chances too.
TIP: (2) That Rings A Bell / (15) Niamh Chinn Oir EW
RACE 7
Whoever opened (13) William Thomas double figure odds might be looking for a new job tomorrow because he’s a huge chance here and still a decent price at $4.50. I was keen on him last week but he’s been saved for this race first up after a debut preparation which saw him win on debut and place at Flemington. Trialled well, draws well and gets Damian Lane on board. His form is arguably better than the favourite (8) Esperance’s. It’s interested that the favourite gets an apprentice on today and not Lane or Williams. Prepared to side with William Thomas at the prices.
TIP: (13) William Thomas
RACE 8
Tough way to end the day and the quaddie. The booking of Williams on (15) Top Cookie catches the eye. She won on debut at Colac and it’s rare to find Williams teaming up with Jason Warren, especially in a city race. From the inside draw she goes on top at $8.50. (11) Dinner Lake has run well at both starts back this prep, without much luck. Will need luck and a good ride today from another wide draw but the horse looks to be going well. (17) Woulda Thought So gains a run and comes into this after a sound first up run, while there was plenty to like about (3) Muccino first up and he shouldn’t be ignored.
TIP: (15) Top Cookie EW / (11) Dinner Lake EW
No quaddie numbers today.
