Ladbrokes Park (Hillside) is playing host to a competitive nine race car at Sandown on Saturday afternoon.
The weather is predicted to be fine and the dry track runners will be happy with the Good surface after racing on wet tracks for many months in 2022.
Race one comes up at 12:35pm and my first couple of best bets will be short odds but hopefully it sets us up for the Quaddie legs.
Brendan Bunworth is back with his preview and free racing tips for the Sandown meeting.
Sandown Racing Tips: Saturday January 7th
Race 2
(2) Detonator Jack gets a slight rise in distance here (100m) which is ideal and after winning two of his last three, this looks his race. He was one of my best bets when favourite last time when he won coming from behind off a fast tempo and if something puts a bit of speed in the race again, he should be winning. I think we will be seeing this horse in the Spring.
(4) Imperial Lad is consistently close up and i expect the same in this race. Carleen Hefel takes the ride and he can improve on his 61 percent placing strike rate in this.
(3) So Si Bon does bob up now and then and is a lot of punters favourite horse. He led last time when they went quick and if he does that again, it may set up the race for the fav. He's raced in harder races than this however.
(5) Black Sail will settle on pace and should stick on well like he did last time.
(2) Detonator Jack Win
$1.50 (4 Units)
Race 5
(5) Inundation loves the 1000m distance and loves racing on Good tracks. He has won four from six starts now for Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr who have Jamie Kah on their side which makes a formidable team. Barrier 2 is ideal and after breaking the 1000m track record at The Valley last time, he is the one to beat again.
(3) Najem Suhail has been mentioned in my write ups a few times over the last six months and hopefully punters have won on him. He is another who likes dry ground and will be on speed. Racing against Inundation however is his toughest test yet.
(2) Starry Legend is resuming and does go well fresh. Is flying at the jumpouts and is in the Archie Alexander stable now.
(4) Sacred Palace goes well early on in a campaign but a few of these will be too slick over 1000m.
(5) Inundation Win
$1.50 (4 Units)
Race 8
(1) Pesto drops in class and gets a 2-kilogram claim with Logan McNeil on board. He is a strong type and charged to the line at The Valley last time when 4th. Before that his 7th at Canterbury wasn't too bad behind Nugget who was in very good form at the time. Third up here, he should be ready to show best at each-way odds. It’s his first try at The Valley but he gets his preferred dry ground.
(13) So Unusual was backed to win last start and did and despite this being a harder race, he is in very good form and did almost win here two starts back when beaten a head.
(14) Wahine Toa won for us at The Valley last start but this is a little harder. From barrier 2 though, she should get a good run in transit.
(17) The Awesome Son is a strong type, will get back but will be running on.
(1) Pesto Each-Way
$10/$3.20 (1 Unit)
Race 9
(10) All About Eve missed the start when 6th at Flemington over 1000m last start. Before that it was two close up wins and it doesn’t look like her form has tapered off. At each-way odds I'm happy to be on her again despite knowing that she will get back in the run. Johnny Allen takes the ride and barrier 5 looks like it will suit.
(9) Kev’s Girl will be up on pace and the dry track suits. She was only beaten a head last start and I expect her to be in the finish.
(1) Unflinching is down in class and will settle in the first half a dozen. He has won second up before but barrier 10 is a slight concern.
(3) Hickok has a wide barrier in 12 but will get back anyway, too far back maybe? But will be hitting the line strongly.
(2) Fine Dane goes well at The Valley and rarely runs a bad race.
(10) All About Eve Each-Way
$8/$2 (1 Unit)
Quaddie Tips
Leg one: 2, 6, 9, 11, 12
Leg two: 1, 3, 4
Leg three: 1, 13, 14
Leg four: 1, 9, 10
