Victorian racing on Wednesday heads to Sandown, where eight races have been set down. The track as of Monday night is a Soft 5 and with rain forecast for Tuesday, the track should remain in the soft range, though the rail is back in the true position for the first time in a while so the inside section will be ideal.
Find Adam Page's best bets for Sandown below, and be sure to head over to our Racing Tips page, for more free tips from the key race meets around the country this week!
Sandown Racing Tips: Wednesday July 10 2024
Race 4: Sportsbet Set A Deposit Limit Handicap 2400m - 2.10pm AEST
(7) Martial Eagle hasn't won in some time but gee he looks to have found a very winnable race. He ran over 2400m on the Hillside track and there are two trains of thought re last start. Got out in time, had his chance. Or, which I am saying, is that he lost crucial momentum at a vital stage and you can make a case he should have won. If he gets clear air from the outset, he'll take beating.
(5) Queen Takes King won't know herself in a race like this based on recent runs, where she has raced at Saturday metro in recent runs and while held, she has been far from disgraced, the latest behind Born A King. Back to this moderate level of race, I think she only has to hold her form to be around the mark.
(3) Irish Butterfly is getting ready for Ballarat and the feature jumps meeting there (I assume), but he's a capable flat horse. He comes here hard fit and in form after winning a Maiden Hurdle over two miles at The Bool where he slogged it out best and was strong to the line in winning. If this becomes a slog, he'll be last man standing.
Also Backing: (5) Queen Takes King $10 (2 Units)
(7) Martial Eagle
$3 (3 Units)
Race 6: Evergreen Turf Handicap 1200m - 3.20pm AEST
(3) Written In Code has an engine under the hood and is the best on the program for mine. He resumed at Mornington where he just got too far back in the run but really liked the way he found the line late in the piece in a very strong return behind Shaime. He can settle closer in the run and has good upside to come.
(7) Kiko has done little wrong in three runs this prep. Cliff Brown trained mare that was formerly with Jim Conlan, so this is her first run for Brown. Overall form from this prep reads very well and the camp are astute re placement. The Brown/Shinn combination has been quite effective so she commands respect.
(2) Frenchmans Bay was a real find during the Summer and she looks to have returned in good order. She resumed on the Ballarat Synthetic and did more than enough in defeat I thought behind Orlabent, a proven metro performer, so that reads well for this. Good upside, good racing style, knockout hope.
(3) Written In Code
$3.30 (5 Units)
Race 8: Sportsbet Race Replays Handicap 1600m - 4.30pm AEST
I want to give (5) Star Vega another look. I was keen on him at odds two weeks ago over 1500m on the Hillside. He seemed to get into a decent spot but didn't find in the straight and was a bit on the plain side. That was his first run in several weeks so he has room for improvement and maps to do no work. His best is more than good enough.
(10) Name Dropper... beware the unbeaten horse. Richard Laming trained gelding that is 2/2 to start his career. Landed a big plunge when winning on debut at Doomben back in August. Spelled and resumed at Sandown Hillside when on speed throughout and I loved the ticker he showed to win the battle and draw clear late. Hard to beat against these I say.
(11) Noble Conqueror doesn't win out of turn but he is an honest horse that shouldn't be too far away. His last couple of runs have come at Sale, winning two back when beating an average bunch before a solid fourth last time on a testing track. Not sure he wins, but a must for exotics.
(5) Star Vega E/W
$17/$4.80 (0.5U/1.5U)
