March 17

Sandown

Race 1-Momentum was the key in the first. Ria Osa was granted the momentum with a sweeping ride from back in the field, while Downhill Racer had to bust a few out of the way and build his from there. By the time he begun hitting top gear Blake Shinn had shot Ria Osa to the front and the task became infinitely harder. To Downhill Racer's credit he gave the Hawkes horse a real scare on the line. Keep following the racer - he has a great action especially in his front half.

Race 2- In a change of tactics and with a few scratchings Steven Arnold cleverly took big Juste Momente to the lead. That was significant as on paper it looked as though she might have had to come from an awkward spot to win. Finding the lead and getting momentum into her sprint was important because she was given an opportunity to show off her best trait of strength on the line. Collodi was easily the best run outside the winner and arguably the run of the race from last off a slow speed. She was my top rater and repaid followers with a juicy tote place dividend of almost $3 dollars. She's one to follow. Goldfield Ashes was outclassed in third as were the rest who bumped into two pretty good ones. Quinella was provided here in two, with the scratching of Lykanna.

Race 3- Good win by Forest Knight. He made light of the 58kg a horse in top form deserved that. Hunters Rest ran really well as he usually does at Sandown to be there right on the line, and Desert Master stuck on good too. Swinging Babe felt the pinch of the Staying trip while Southern Courage lacked a kick when required but worked home well. Maybe that second-up run flattened him.

Race 4- Like it Is won as she pleased and rewarded best bets followers here. Paid $2.30 best fluc on Sportsbet which was nice and juicy given the evens around the country on the totes. Not her best performance but really tough to the line. Danevade let down well and stuck on pretty good so she keeps up her consistency. While Brockman's Lass lucky to finish third didn't raise a mention in the report and you can see why on that sub-par performance. Not going well.

Race 5- Apache Cat raced away to win this one. The race was won and lost when speed went into the race before the turn, the Cat really appreciated that. We said Bon Hoffa would end up with the gun run and he did and ran up to his best. But no match for the winner Apache Cat who continues to carry good form.

Race 6- Let Go Thommo racing down in grade was important here. While some may have felt he was a bit of a chaser in better races, he ran up to his best in those, he was just looking for something easier and he found it here. Let down good and was too fast. Chiack my top rater repaid the faithful very well with best tote in Qld in $6.20 for the place one can be very pleased . He ran on super and found the room he needed from drawing wide. The Quinella was provided in two as well paying $42 in Victoria best tote.

Race 7- Jungle Ruler pinged out and ran away from them in the 3yo. Domzero and Trulli while both look a touch limited are reliable gallopers stringing two good runs on end. Feeback, Mi Casa Su Casa and Slow Talkin Walter all had no execuses...were'nt good enough. I said it was an even group of 3yo's. In other words the favourites aren't too crash hot and that was proven in this.

Race 8- No suprises in the last Maldivian led really well and then bounded away up the straight to win most convincingly. Tough effort all the way and 2000m looks in his grasp. Bianomour our top rater didn't quite get the speed battle up front that was predicted and had to sweat a little on a run to roll back to the rail where he is most comfortable when running up the straight. $7.50 was bet each-way and taken with Sportsbet so again finished in front. Captious ran a good sound race to get second, he's holding his form well this campaign. Look for him next start. Very solid report again this week, 3 quinellas provided in two and all top raters running well.

Other notables:

Acland, Frisco Jess, and Live and Bear It all won well at Benalla and can win again. Sleek Chassis put in a fabulous Slipper Trial and almost managed to win from an awkward run. She was $6 best tote so more than money-back with an each-way bet. Century Serb our other best bet ran an enormous race just found one to good for him, $5.50 best fixed odds meant we could have a lash Each-way. As that looked no-risk.

Win of the Day-

Maldivian...dictated but strong performance

Horses To Follow - Collodi, Downhill Racer

Better than it looks - Downhill Racer.

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