Nine races greet us at Sandown Hillside on Sunday and with some likely still feeling the effects from the AFL Grand Final! What better way to relax and have a bet on what has been four days off for the majority of punters.
The Underwood Stakes is the highlight of the Sandown card on Sunday with Zaaki starting favourite.
The track is currently rated a Soft5 and the first race of nine kicks off at 1pm.
Brendan Bunworth is back with his preview and racing tips for Sunday's meeting from Sandown.
Sandown Racing Tips: Sunday September 25th
Race 4
(4) Elliptical was only beaten 1.5L at Flemington when resuming and will strip fitter for this race. Tijuana was third in that race and was a Moonee Valley winner on Friday night and the form out of this race looks pretty good. He has won on the Soft and has an in-form jockey in Craig Williams on board.
(6) Northern Beaches is a nice colt who also has an in-form jockey on in Brett Prebble. He handles the ground and and should get a nice run in transit from barrier one. He was in the same race as our number one selection but didn't have much luck on that occasion.
(7) Bank Maur ran on well at this track last time and the extra 100m should suit.
(9) Angry Skies has a wide barrier but if there is rain about his chances improve.
(4) Elliptical
$2.40 (3 units)
Race 5
(10) Romancer will be one of the roughies of the race but is better than recent form suggests. He isn't getting any younger but the Soft ground suits, as does this rise in trip. At Flemington last time he was ninth from 12 but only beaten 4L against some handy types. Worth a throw at the stumps I reckon.
(16) Lucky Decision won well (a nose) at this track last time and his two unplaced Caulfield runs before that were pretty good also. He is one of the fittest horses in the race for Peter Moody.
(5) Glint of Hope has a good barrier in two and will go better second up. Doesn't want any rain on the day.
(7) La Dragontea was plain on resuming at Flemington and improvement is expected.
(10) Romancer E/W
$31/$8.50 (0.5 units)
Race 6
(8) Typhoon Titmus stormed home last start at Flemington (third) and with another 100m probably would have won. That was over 1100m whereas today is over 1400m so it's whether she can handle a distance that she is untried over. Ollie is on and will be hoping there is pace on. Street Delight and Zoe’s Promise go hard early so there just might be.
(5) Portray was fourth in the Atlantic Jewell last time and strips fitter. This race isn't as hard as that.
(4) Waltz on By is the likely favourite and should go well after having no luck at Caulfield, before getting the rewards her next start at this track. Barrier 10 is a slight concern but she is one for one on the Soft and will be in the finish.
(2) Russian Conquest is another with a wide barrier but is also one for one on the Soft. Kah goes on and she is down in class.
(8) Typhoon Titmus E/W
$7.50/$2.60 (1 unit)
Race 9
(10) Gravina has been costly to punters on a few occasions but isn't expected to win this one. However I think he is a great chance from barrier two with Williams on board.
He will settle back but there is quite a bit of pace in this race and I think with 54 kilograms he might get the last crack at them. He will be fitter second up and this race isn't as hard as the Chatauqua Stakes that he raced in on resuming. There are two very good horses in it however so will need a peach of a ride from Williams.
(4) Iwishiwin is talented but I'm worried about the poor draw in 11. She smashed them by four lengths first up at Caulfield and with a close draw to the rails should be the top pick. She has to get over from 11 and she is an on-speed runner and may use up to much petrol.
(1) Ayrton is four from four first up but this race is tougher than the other ones. He has trialed up nicely in readiness for this but it is his first try on a Soft track.
(2) Bandersnatch is first up for Team Hawkes and i think he will win a race over the Spring Carnival but not day.
(10) Gravina
$14 (1 unit)
