Middle-distance mania hits Sandown Park tonight with three heats of the Group 2 McKenna Memorial (595m).
Superstar kennelmates Zipping Rambo (G1 RSN Sandown Cup) and Christo Bale (6-time G1 finalist) are the hot favourites in the first two heats, while the final qualifier is a lot more open on paper with the likes of Jarick Bale (33.87sec PB ?), Bounce Back (placed past 14) and new-kid-on-the-block Gypsy Wyong (5 from 8) to do battle.
Tonight’s 515m Free For All looks a beauty as well with Gypsy Yankee (3 of past 5) to take on the likes of Providence Bale (7 of past 9), Jax Bale (G2 Cranbourne Cup), Jepara (6 of past 10) and Shima Classic (9 from 22).
Talented trio Highly Explosive (29.16sec PB), Osprey Phantom (3 from 6) and Handsome Rhino (4 of past 7) are set to lock horns in Race 11, while in the lucky last Carry On Maxwell (last start Sandown winner in 29.32sec) and Mustang Charlie (won past 3) line up side by side to round out an outstanding night of racing.
Here’s an extensive analysis of tonigh’s Must Watch Race, and be sure to scroll down further for The Watchdog’s ? $10 spend…
? MUST-WATCH RACE: McKenna Memorial Heat 1
GRACLYN BALE ? MEPUNGA WARRIOR ? ZIPPING RAMBO
? Sandown Park ? Race 5 ? 595m ⏱ 7:40pm
Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666541525/race/5
The Watchdog says ?: Awesome line-up with Group 1 Sandown Cup champ ZIPPING RAMBO (4) looking to qualify and add another feature win to his resume. He recently followed up his Cup win with a scorching 33.77sec victory in the Speed Star here and, with a clean getaway tonight, he is going to take a power of beating. The only concern with the favourite is that he does not like to be crowded, so the run into the first bend will be crucial and he is going to need a few things to go his way. MEPUNGA WARRIOR (3) is on the up and he could make the favourite work hard from the outset. Three runs back he roared to the line in his scorching 29.29sec win over 515m here and with a clear passage he should be able to go sub 33.90sec tonight. Being drawn inside ‘Rambo’ is a huge plus for him, as that may allow him to settle in front of the favourite, which could make all the difference. GRACLYN BALE (2) rounds out the ‘big three’ and she appears drawn to get the gun run throughout. She may not be as gifted as her high profile kennel mate, but she does possess a huge motor and she has already broken the magical 34 seconds barrier here, so if SHIMA GLOW (1) can do her bit and hold the early lead, that should bring ‘Graclyn’ right into the race. There are quite a few ways this race can pan out, and I cannot wait to see it unfold.
Selections: 4 – 3 – 2 – 8
