April 21st

Sandown

Race 1- Physique kicked off the day with a good run-on display to win the Jim Houhlahan Steeplchase.

Race 2- Purrealist a $700,000 yearling showed a little class in its win of the 2yo. In a race of many honest runs from honest 2yo's, Purrealist shot through a gap between Queen Falvelon and Rosaria to win in pretty good style. His best work being right on the line. Queen Falvelon led them up and looked home halfway up the straight...but she really hit the wall at the 150m mark. Rosaria and Protesta were honest without being great with there runs. Home in 33.34.

Race 3- Flash Coupe grinded past favourite Dance On Board to win this. Great ride by Vlad Duric to have Flash Coupe in clear running drawing two in a slowly run race. Solid win. Dance on Board did its chances no favours in the run by thrashing its head around racing ungenerously. Did ok considering. Volcanic Star worked home alright. Acland dissapointed. Home in 34.51

Race 4- Pintaka grabbed these out wide and won this moderate mares race convincingly. Good win considering the lack of speed up front and on-pacers giving a big sight. Jacqueline Rogue and Bian Seen put in good honest performances. Not much to say for the rest, forgive Findaz Keeperz who found trouble a few times in the straight. Home in 34.

Race 5- Drac's Back scorched away with the Country Cup and sets up a valid trip to Brisbane. Looked really good the winner, and the $3.00 Top Fluctuation was well worth it given the $2.50 was about the best available on the Tab. Racing subs would have been happy here as we provided the outsider as second pick in World Ruler. It ran a good weaving race and was strong as suggested with runs under its belt. The exacta paid over $70 dollars, and the place dividend was a healthy $7.70 best tote. Polish Clown ran a good race over the 1600m to finish third. The others finished in a bunch. Home in 35.03

Race 6- Orange County a best bet proved way too good for them in the sprint. Perfectly ridden by Mark Zahra it was never going to lose. A very solid performance from a horse who's in career form. Bel Danoro gave a good sight in front, I've never been a fan of his Sandown runs so he might go on with that in Adelaide. A good run for him. Tonz More Fun ridden upside down did well to figure behind them. Bexaar with conditions to suit really got to the line well. Home in 33.69

Race 7- Douro Valley ridden back recently was ridden along early to take up a forward position, and that proved vital in the end. Well positioned at the turn he peeled to the middle of the track and was too superior for Dolphin Jo. Dolphin Jo again showed alot, but was beaten by a better horse who has hardly put a hoof wrong this campaign. Don't Stop ran a really good race to be third. Sarrera our other best bet had conditions to suit with the track today, but couldn't get the job done. Perhaps be forgiving as when it jumped out of the barriers it nearly knuckled over. Jockey was very easy on it on straightening which is unlike how the horse has been ridden before. Suggesting to me that he may have suffered an injury at the start and the jockey didn't want to flog him. Interesting to see if they're are any reports. Terrace ran on when it was all over. But most interest is in the first four home. Home in 35.03.

Race 8- Imagining showed true class in the last winning as she pleased. Again those taking bookies SP on line won again as the $2.80 was much better than the tote price in VIC of $2.20 and best tote of $2.50. Compare the day's odds here. With the scratchings we reshuffled the thinking on this one suggesting punters to back her in the last. Experienced rider Greg Childs hustled her out of the barriers to be running in the first few. That was vital and she was too good once she got a run. Some pretty good run on performances by Rulan Ruby and Fearless Waters. Waitui Angel and Carat Cake put in honest runs to be around the mark. Fanfares got knocked down by the winner on the home turn so forget she went around. Home in 34.66

Win of the Day-

Universal Queen in Adelaide

Horses To Follow - Imagining, Drac's Back

Better than it looks - Sarrera, Bexaar

Catch you Wednesday for the Anzac Day Ratings online for Moonee Valley's VRC St Leger meeting and Cessnock racing.

Tim McDonnell.

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