Mitchbet

It’s a saying being thrown around a lot this time of year, but Spring truly is in the air for horse racing enthusiasts. A good enough guide is the depth and quality in these fields at Sandown on Wednesday. There are some well bred three year olds that will be looking to graduate to Saturday or black type grade over the next few months, in addition to some now four year olds hoping to knock over their older foes in open company. It is quite an interesting program and there will be some horses to follow I can guarantee.

Race 1

A wide open three year old maiden to start the day. I think there are four and a half chances here but have landed on 3. Double Glazed. The grey colt by Frosted was well backed on debut when he lost the rider then was back in the field but strong late at his second start. Has jumped out between runs and looks like he will appreciate the step to 1500m.

1. Binotto hit the line strongly from the rear of the field at Cranbourne on debut and was unlucky not to get the prize. 7. Limburg is the son of Maastricht, an Edward Manifold and Alister Clark placegetter, and didn’t seem to be suited by the race shape at Newcastle. Can improve sharply.

Suggested bet: Double Glazed to win

Race 2

I think the favourite Austmarr and Goldie will push forward and potentially fly along at a decent speed. Chilled will tuck in behind those two from barrier one. The one that will hopefully have the drop on all of these from a few pairs back will be 5. Tabata Set. This filly is kicking-off her third racing campaign being only a few lengths behind several smart two year olds in the Summer and Autumn. She has won a Cranbourne trial leading into this. With the claim for apprentice Celine Gaudray, hopefully she can sit off the leaders and run over the top if they over-do the pace early.

Suggested bet: Tabata Set to win

Race 3

I’m a really big Akicita fan. He jumped out like a really good horse before winning on debut at Pakenham. However, in the post race interview trainer Matt De Kock mentioned they went to the synthetic because he’s not so good on soft. That is a slight query for mine especially if you want to jump into the $2 available and the track remains a soft 6.

The most expensive runner in the race ($350,000), the Busuttin and Young filly 5. Waimarie was a strong winner at Ballarat on debut before being beaten two lengths in a Listed event at Sandown. She has been well backed before both starts and has jumped out well in preparation for this. If the deserved favourite doesn’t have his favoured conditions on Wednesday, Waimarie is definitely not the worst $16 shot going around.

Suggested bet: Waimarie to win

Race 4

I think current favourite Fan Gorman is too short and 4. State Squad seems the wrong price here. The 6YO by Lucas Cranach is dropping from a Benchmark 100 at Flemington back to Benchmark 70 grade. Has had a brief freshen up since his last start and has a win over Flight To The Moon ($6.50) and Dick Whittington who won the Pakenham Stayers Final last Friday. At worst he should be running into the placings.

Suggested bet: State Squad each-way

Race 5

I’m very keen on 2. Eternal Flame and I think she could very well be a black type mare in waiting. The Michael Kent trained mare was well supported and proved to be a class above when she beat the smart Tycoon Jenny on return from a spell. They ran good time for the class and I think she goes back to back and onto bigger things following this.

There is a key jockey change with Ben Melham taking over from Sarah Field on 7. Crazy In Love. She returned to form two back winning comfortably in a BM58 at Warrnambool. An improved showing with the senior jock on board wouldn’t surprise.

Suggested bet: Eternal Flame to win (Best Bet)

Race 6

I found this a really tough event trying to line up different form. 15. Zoupurring went around untested on resumption at Moonee Valley on the 26th of August, however had shown above average ability in his first racing campaign. The wide barrier is a concern, but in a tricky race he could be one of the improvers.

Suggested bet: Zoupurring to win, small bet

Race 7

The Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained 4. Legend of Dubai is a deserved favourite and should be hard to beat here. He was held up at a key stage up in grade at Moonee Valley before hitting the line strongly. Rises in distance, Mark Zahra sticks in the saddle and he will be mighty hard to beat here third up.

I think you can do worse than have a saver bet on the Irish galloper 5. Magical Land. The 6YO by Frankel is stepping up 400m in trip and also drops 4kgs from his first-up run. Is drawn very soft for Jamie Mott in barrier 4 and I want to have this guy on my side as a betting proposition.

Suggested bet: Legend Of Dubai to win, Magical Land win to cover your stake.

Race 8

One for the trial/jumpout pervs out there, 4. Fire has been very impressive in his work leading to his return. He has a great fresh record and hasn’t missed a place in three starts at the track. In a good sprint race for a Wednesday midweek, he’s the one to beat.

Another two bet play to end the day, I’ll be having something on the Gavin Bedggood-trained 7. Nasraawy. The 6YO gelding had been competing in much stronger Saturday events during the offseason including a second (form guide says “disqualified”) this track and distance behind Starry Legend in a $150k Benchmark 100 Saturday race. Has been freshened and jumped out after failing at 1200m last start. He’s a blowout hope.

Suggested bet: Main bet Fire to win. Half stake Nasraawy to win.