Form analyst, SCOTT MCDONELL, previews Wednesday’s Sandown Hillside meeting, with horse racing tips and analysis for all 8 races. Good luck, punters!
Track Condition: Soft 5
Rail Position: Out 12m entire circuit
SEMPER FORTIS looks ready to break his maiden status. Been beaten by barest possible margins in both his starts and this a winnable race for him.
RHINOCEROS raced up on the speed and stuck on bravely when beaten favourite at Sale last start. Drawn to get the perfect run in behind the speed and he gets his chance.
CHARACTER has been racing consistently on the provincial circuit with two sound placings. Should get ideal run in behind the speed and will have last crack at these.
QUITE THE LASS should have won on the synthetic at Ballarat last start when held-up at vital stage. She will be a major player in this.
Tip: SEMPER FORTIS
ADELE AMOUR controlled the race from the front here last start and held off late challenge for strong all the way win. She will take catching again.
BARB RAIDER has not been beaten all that far in either start. Expect she will not be a maiden for much longer and gets her chance to win in this.
Liked the way EL PATRONESS finished the race off when placed behind Adele Amour here on debut. Sure to be better from the race experience and from ideal barrier gets her chance.
MADAME SOLARIO won maiden on the synthetic first-up then she was poor here last start. Looking for her to bounce back in this.
Tip: ADELE AMOUR
DECENT RAINE relished the heavy ground at Echuca first-up and won maiden by a big space then loomed to win at The Valley last start but peaked on run late. She can return to winners stall.
DARCEANDERMILL won first couple on the provincial circuit to begin this prep then he has not been disgraced in two city runs since. Back in winnable race.
DOUCEUR finished the race off strongly to win on the heavy ground at Ballarat last start. If she gets wet conditions again she will be a major player.
NO WAY EVER was well supported into favourite on the Pakenham synthetic on debut and did not let supporters down with a clear win. Advantage of apprentice claim and can win again.
Tip: DECENT RAINE
WHIPCRACKER WAY resumes from spell. He won similar race this track/distance when first-up last time in work. Comes off solid trial win and can get away with this fresh.
SNAPPER is another that comes into this first-up. Dominant maiden winner at The Valley last time in work and if he found that form would be right in the mix.
MODEAR hit the line hard back inside down the Flemington straight last start and ran into close placing. She is never far away and that form good enough for this.
TWIST OF FURY has won three of four starts this time in. She was too strong for them here last start and only needs to hold that form to be right in the mix.
Tip: WHIPCRACKER WAY
SUGARTOWN has been placed in a couple of better races than this at last couple. Back in her right race and she looks the one to beat.
The win of ZOUSHINE was enormous at Murray Bridge first-up from spell then just did not finish the race off on the heavy ground last start. Drawn to get the perfect run in transit and will be prominent for a long way.
THE SISTERS finished the race off strongly from the back here last start and timed run to perfection. She will give them a start but watch for her late.
BRAZEN SONG resumes. She has been placed in two of her three first-up tries and would not be surprised to see her in the mix fresh.
Tip: SUGARTOWN
LINAS LEGEND broke clear and won maiden by a big space at Echuca first-up from spell. He is city class and can follow up with another win.
DESIGN ARTIST was well supported starting favourite at Lakeside on debut and she proved too strong. Had a break since and expect her to be bigger and better this campaign.
FORTUNATE KISS started long odds on in maiden company last start and won as she liked. This a much harder affair and she has drawn ideally. Cannot leave out of chances.
STAR OF CHAOS demolished a maiden field on the synthetic at Ballarat first-up. If she holds that form she will be a major player.
Tip: LINAS LEGEND
THE GARDEN is a promising gelding. Won three of four starts this time in and working through his classes with authority. Drawn to get the perfect run from inside gate and can win again.
SIRILEO MISS resumes. Both her wins have been when first-up from spell. Showed sharp turn-of-hoof to win by a space at Lakeside when fresh last campaign. She goes close.
CAMBOURNE took on a couple of hot races in the Autumn and just fell a touch short. He was dominant in trial leading into this and has the ability to get away with this.
INVINCIBLE JET won at Lakeside first-up then followed up with strong placing last start. Drawn ideally and cannot be left out of multiples.
Tip: THE GARDEN
HORRIFYING was only getting warm when the race was all over at Lakeside first-up from spell. Sure to strip fitter and he won second-up last time in work. Happy to put him on top.
KING’S CHARISMA is the most interesting runner on the program. Import who will want much further than this but making Australian debut would not leave out.
YUKON won in Sydney two starts back then raced on the pace and was not beaten all that far last start. Only needs to bring that form to Melbourne to be in finish.
NOBEL HEIGHTS was impressive winning by a big space here when fresh last time in work. Drawn to get the perfect run in transit and will be tough to beat.
Tip: HORRIFYING