In addition to the below meeting, Race 8 at Warrnambool tonight is worth watching. It’s been decimated by scratchings, but who the hell doesn’t want to see Dramatical, Slick Splits and Paw Matic settle their differences in a triple threat!

Tonight we’ve got a much better Sandown Park meeting infront of us than last week.

Highlights:

Race 2 – Indy Melmen is machine that promises a big future, beaten last week at short odds. Surely not again?

Race 3 – A small but very good field over the 595m led by powerhouse Gambella and Eventuate who steps up to this distance for the first time. That’ll be an entertaining race.

Race 7 – Good field led by Consigliere, Cleo’s Star and Mav Reiko, throw in the race caller’s nightmare Lamia Nonna Mim who was superb last week.

Race 8 – Great contest, the proven commodities like Vista Weird meet young guns like Abdulla Zulu.

And my take on how some of these will play out…

BEST
Race 3, Eventuate (4)
It just feels like she’s knocking on the door of a big performance. Her trainer Jason Sharp has shared a similar view publicly and suggested this rise in distance could produce it. I tend to agree. While it’s a good field, she’s every chance to lead them, and with what we know of her over ‘500’ metres there’s no reason to think that she won’t run the distance out well.

NEXT BEST
Race 8, Amron Dancer (2)
He’s been great without winning in his past two. There will be minimal speed from Vista Weird (1) and Mepunga Express (3) will possibly move wide, holding his line at worst. That gives room for Amron Dancer to accelerate and lead. It’s an even race in terms of ability, but the speed map clearly advantages Amron Dancer.

BEST VALUE
Race 2, Stream It (3)
We expected a good run from him last week, he was poor but had an issue. If he’s shaken that, he’s over the odds at $13. Indy Melmen (1) is by far the likely winner, but as an each-way throw at the pegs Stream It has shown enough in his very short career to suggest a good performance on this stage is in waiting.

WORTH THE RISK/TAKE ON
Race 5, Quinlee Bale (1)
I didn’t initially have her in calculations for this, but since she’s opened up the best part of even money, it’s under the odds. After two runs over 595m in soft races, dropping back in distance not only looks less suitable but the field is tougher. Box 1 helps a lot, but I think there’s no way she should be as short as she is. Let’s take her on.

Since these previews were introduced, 9 of 11 ‘take on’ plays have been proven right at an average quote of around $2.90

QUADDIE
Race 5: Field
Race 6: 2,4,7
Race 7: 3,4,8
Race 8: 1,2,6