Victorian racing on Wednesday heads to Sandown Hillside, where eight races have been set down. The track as of Monday evening is a Heavy 8 and I don't suspect the track will get much better with cold weather on the cards.
Find Adam Page's best bets for Sandown below, and be sure to head over to our Racing Tips page, for more free tips!
Sandown Racing Tips: Wednesday July 31st 2024
Race 3: Stow Storage Solutions Handicap 1300m - 1.35pm AEST
(4) Written In Code is similar to Hanau. This is just about D-Day. I want to be very forgiving of her run three weeks ago. She was a month between runs and got back/wide in the run, but really liked the way she found the line late in the piece when fourth to Kiko. Shinn is on and he is the best at getting a horse that is tardy away to jump on the bunny. If the inside gate is used to advantage, she'll take a power of beating.
(5) Walk Of Fame is a daughter of Sacred Falls for Danny O'Brien that has returned in really good order. She did more than enough when resuming at Sale before going to Geelong where she landed in a plum spot and in a driving go, she was much too good in a strong effort. Maps perfect again and gets J Kah to steer.
(9) Royal Invader is sneaky flying this mare. Ciaron Maher trains and she has been solid in two runs in NSW to start the prep, where each time she has got back in the run and found the line really well I feel, albeit never being a winning threat. If she brings her best, she can take this out.
Also Backing: (9) Royal Invader $8.50 (1 Unit)
(4) Written In Code
$3.10 (4 Units)
Race 6: Become an MRC Member Handicap 1400m - 3.20pm AEST
(2) Hanau is nearing D-Day but I do feel that with his best, he has a few lengths on this lot. He was a month between runs when racing on the Lakeside track two weeks ago. He just got too far back in the run but really liked the way he finished his race off in defeat. Fitter and up to 1400m, can settle much closer and with upside, he's the best on the card.
(4) Boltsaver is flying for Rhys Archard. He won at the same meeting mentioned above, winning over 1200m, and was quite dominant in an impressive display. Not sure he beat much but the arrogance of the win was something else. He's come back a different horse, a much better horse, and is the key threat.
(10) Graceful has more upside/progression than most. Matt Cumani trained filly that has had two career outings, both at Ballarat Synthetic. Latest start was a strong win over 1400m when on speed and she was quite strong to the line in winning. Harder here, but good racing style, down in the weights and is bred to handle wet ground.
(2) Hanau
$3.10 (5 Units)
Race 8: Happy 50th TJ Handicap 2400m - 4.30pm AEST
Heavy track+below the minimum = auto bet and that is the criteria for (9) She's A Con. She does jump to 78 grade from 70 grade, but with that class rise, she does get serious weight relief on recent efforts, where she has been quite good and loomed to win but has been bogged down by the weights. Ryan Houston can get down to 52.5kg officially so he can only use 1.5 of the 3kg claim, but that is still good relief from last start, she maps to do no work and swims.
(1) Jabbawockeez is the best horse in the race, by some distance, and commands respect. He won at Caulfield last time and was quite impressive over 2000m, letting down with purpose and was quite strong to the line. 2400m is the query but he has class and that will carry him a long way towards victory.
(8) King's Crossing is a very one paced type that will just keep chipping away. He ran over this track/distance last Wednesday where he just got too far back in the run but his finale was more than sound in defeat I thought. Should get a lovely run in transit, settle closer and be strong at the end.
(9) She's A Con E/W
$9.50/$2.70 (1U/4U)