As the market suggests, there is nothing clear cut about the way the Launching Pad final is going to play out at Sandown Park this Thursday – Race 8 at 9.28pm.

What’s going on at the 50m mark is going to be crucial, I think it’s likely to decide the race then and there. As much as the favourite Blue Storm (2) has a massive motor, I don’t think he’ll be running them down like last week (which was unreal on the eye).

LAST WEEK’S RACE DATA

One of the biggest runs you’ll see, Blue Storm (1) unreal in his semi-final last week

So, Blue Storm – won from an inside draw last week and he’s won five of seven, why is he a risk?

Again, like in his semi-final, it’s an awful speed map for him. He will not begin as fast as the others – he’s the only finalist to have not broken 2.20 seconds to the 20 metre mark throughout the series. His acceleration between 20-50m is on par with the others, but it’s about more than time here.

His average distance to rail (how wide he’s racing) over the past three weeks has been 2.47m, 1.97m and 1.72m – for context, a typical running line at Sandown Park is between 1-1.5m. Between Blue Storm (2) and House Of Sins (1), they’re the slowest to the 20 metre mark, also the widest runners of the race who… are the closest drawn to the rail. Not optimal.

Blue Storm (2) will finish the race extremely well, but he won’t get the luxury of the leaders not breaking 30 seconds, as was the case last week. Therefore I don’t think he will win the race.

If he wins, he is a true star in the making – if he isn’t already.

Blue Storm (8) makes the most of his wide draw with a dominant win, in 29.09!

I agree, it’s easy to be negative… but who can win it?

We haven’t seen the best of Highly Potent (4) yet and I feel like it’s knocking on the door. Her time to 20m of 2.14 (in her heat) is the best of these finalists throughout the series, her next phase 20-50m she set 1.74 (semi-final), which of the finalists has only bettered by Not Again (3) (in his heat).

If she begins like she did last week she can’t win the race, but I’ve got faith that she can make amends when it matters most.

Despite an early bump, Highly Potent (5) still records fast sections in her heat

OTHER HIGHLIGHTS ON THE CARD

The Easter Gift (Race 7) is a belter. Phoenix winner Deadly Avenger (6) goes around for the first time since the Temlee and meets Sportsbet Australian Cup winner, Dramatical (7).

The Launching Pad Consolation (Race 6) is competitive but it revolves around Abdulla Zulu (1) who has come up with a good draw for the first time in the series.

The Runway final (Race 5) has been disrupted by scratchings and will see two heavy hitting reserves gain a start in Bandit Swagger (9) and On The Prowl (10).

Catch me on Sky Racing 1 before every race at Sandown Park on Thursday night.

EVENT INFORMATION