Sandown Hillside Racing Preview: 25th May by Dean McHugh

Ten races will feature on the Sandown Hillside card this Saturday. With every race on Saturday’s card looking finely poised, in this preview we will run eye over the runners and riders in the hope that we can find you some value.

Race 1: Sportsbet Nobody Does It Easier Handicap (1000m)

Nine two-year-old fillies will head down to post for the first contest of Sandown’s Saturday card, and the contest seems to be between three horses: Jenni’s Meadow, Flattered and She’s Got Pizzazz.

Of the three, She’s Got Pizzazz is easily the least exposed and will be looking to build from her promising second on debut. 

Jenni’s Meadow was pitched straight into elite company on her second start and struggled. Back in these much calmer waters, she looks like a solid alternative. 

Race 2: Senet Gambling Law Experts Handicap (1600m)

It could be argued that the second race of Saturday’s card is the hardest to predict and there are several horses in with a great shot at victory. 

Batoka Chief has just had one run and was victorious on debut; he will be looking to follow that performance up with another positive showing. 

Eugenius has raced in tougher races than this and has fared well without winning. He was only just denied when last seen and is bidding for a third win in his last six starts. Ideally drawn in stall 2, he is another who deserves plenty of respect. 

Race 3: Sportsbet Bet With Mates Handicap (1400m)

Another tricky betting heat awaits in race 3, with Floozie looking likely to jump off as the slim favourite.

Without a win in her last four starts, she has finished second twice in that time. Her last two starts have come in higher grades than this race and this could be the perfect opportunity for her to get back on track.

Miss Aria is climbing in the weights thanks to two victories in her last four starts. She is thriving but may find one or two rivals are better weighted on this occasion. 

Race 4: Tobin Brothers Celebrating Lives (1000m)

A field of eleven has been declared for race 4, where Fasuto will be popular in the betting.

Drawn in Gate 1, he will have no excuses and will be looking to follow on from his latest win, where he stretched away from the field to score decisively.

Mrs Chrissie is another last-time-out winner. Drawn wider in Gate 6, she will be looking for her third win in six starts but has form to prove at this level following some previous defeats at this grade.

Race 5: Sportsbet Photo Finish Refund Handicap (2400m)

The longest race of the day comes in the fifth race of the day. Vivideel is likely to head the market and it’s easy to see why. 

With the track likely to be soft, he will have conditions to suit and he is coming off a career best effort when winning a similar looking handicap just a few weeks ago. He could take some serious stopping.

The Genius is likely to start at a big price and looks the value angle of the race. Without a win in his last three starts, all of those races have been in higher grades, and he could run a big race back in calmer waters.

Race 6: Stow Storage Solutions Handicap (1600m)

Another big field awaits in race 6, where Matriarch Rose will start the day as the narrow favourite. 

The favourite for her last start, she disappointed her backers when only able to finish second. Leaving herself with too much to do in the closing stretches, her connections will hope for an improved effort here.

Great Taste has been consistent of late. A winner three starts ago, she has backed up that win with two second place finishes, this looks like the perfect race to jump back into the winner’s circle. 

Race 7: Sportsbet Race Replays Handicap (1800m)

The seventh race of Saturday’s card looks to be between Let’srollthedice and Highlights. 

Of the two, Let’srollthedice brings better winning form and will be hoping for a fifth career win following a win when last on track. 

Highlights is vastly experienced and could have won his last start had he not been hampered close to home. Granted a clearer run, he has the ability to serve it up to his rivals. 

Race 8: Tile Importer Handicap (1600m)

Despite the presence of fourteen horses, the eighth race of Sandown’s Saturday card looks set to be between three horses, Zamborghini, Hard to Cross and Jabbawockeez.

Of the three, Hard to Cross and Jabbawockeez were both winners when last on track, but it’s Hard to Cross that will shade favouritism due to the softer conditions looking to be more suited to him than both of his rivals.

Jabbawockeez has form to prove on the softer ground, but if looking for value, he looks the better betting angle. 

Race 9: Thoroughbred Club of Australia Handicap (1400m)

Another stacked field of fifteen awaits in the penultimate contest of the day, where many horses look to hold a serious chance.

Cawdor is the least exposed horse in the field and could still improve. A winner on debut, five subsequent defeats have followed but this could be the perfect opportunity for him to get back on track.

Bigolino boasts an impressive strike rate, having won four of his twelve career starts, but was only just denied when last seen. Well drawn, he will look to make all and could be the value option of the race.

Race 10: Sportsbet Feed Handicap (1400m)

Sixteen horses will close out the final race of the day, and following a good effort when last seen, Nicolini Vito will start as the favourite.

Second just seven days ago at Flemington, he ran a cracker at big odds and has to be worth considering this time around.

Drawn on the wide outside is So Risque. As consistent as they come, he hasn’t finished outside of the top three in his last seven races and has notched two wins in the process. Likely to give his running, even from his wide draw, he could be worth chancing at a price.