For more racing and sports previews, visit the Ladbrokes Blog.
The rail will be set out six metres around the entire course and at publish, we're looking at a track rated in the Good (4) range.
RACE 1 - 3:40PM: Same Race Multi Plate (1200m)Quickster makes her eagerly awaited return in a very winnable race at Sandown on Wednesday.
The full sister to multiple Group 1 winner Mr Quickie, Quickster only just missed on debut at Pakenham back in October and wasn't disgraced in a couple of strong black type races in the wake.
This is an enormous drop in class and she can begin her rise through the grades.
5 Units Quickster
RACE 2 - 4:15PM: Fierce Impact – Quality Yearlings 2024 (1200m)Lost finished second at Caulfield when resuming and is ideally placed to go one better this week.
The Exceed And Excel dully turned in some nice performances during her debut prep, breaking her maiden at Canterbury most notably, while she kept her best work for late behind Diamond Decorator earlier this month.
This looks a weaker race, and she can record to winning form.
4 Units Lost
RACE 3 - 4:50PM: Tobin Brothers Celebrating Lives Handicap (1000m)Just four of the eleven confirmed starters in Race 3 have previous raceday experience, including the resuming Renege.
Renege made just one appearance at the races in the spring and filled the minors at Bendigo on that occasion, though he was well beaten.
He's reportedly taken plenty of benefit from that experience and this looks a good kick-off point.
1 Unit Renege
RACE 4 - 5:25PM: Set A Deposit Limit Handicap (1000m)This is one of the better races on the program and there's a case to be made for a few of them, including Austmarr.
Austmarr was good during her 2023 campaign, picking off some nice races before ending her prep in black type company, while her first two runs back this time in metro company have been full of merit.
Fitter third-up, this looks her opportunity to strike.
2 Units Austmarr
RACE 5 - 6PM: Thoroughbred Club Australia Handicap (1600m)Yosemite Falls drops back to the midweeks and rates as a key winning chance.
The Archie Alexander-trained filly broke her maiden impressive at Seymour last month, and was tough from an on-pace position to finish fifth behind Justaboom at Caulfield last time.
She can go forward again this week from the inside draw and dropping back to a mile could prove the difference.
2 Units Yosemite Falls
RACE 6 - 6:30PM: World Pool At Caulfield On Saturday Handicap (1500m)Brazen Kingdom has opened favourite ahead of Race 6 at Sandown on Wednesday and does look tough to beat again.
The Brazen Beau gelding turned in some lovely performances last time in, while he returned to action to finish third, beaten les than a length in Class 1 company here earlier this month.
The small rise in trip looks to suit and something like this does look within his abilities.
2 Units Brazen Kingdom
RACE 7 - 7PM: Tile Importer Handicap (1200m)Another quality contest with some lovely horses engaged, including Patchouli Dream.
Patchouli Dream returned to action for an easy win in BM58 company out at Wangaratta, but took big improvement into another smart performance for third in BM78 company at Flemington,
I thought that she was good without the best of luck when beaten less than a length here at her latest, and she steps out this week in peak order.
With some relief in the weights and from an inside draw, I can't find a reason why she won't be in the finish.
2 Units Patchouli Dream
RACE 8 - 7:30PM: Make It Look Easy Handicap (1200m)Tough way to end the day from a betting perspective and at publish, we're looking at $5 the field.
Kiko has been racing in competitive form this time in and rates as a winning chance again at nice odds ($7 at publish).
The Capitalist mare recorded a dominant win at Cranbourne in late December, while she has since finished on the placegetters' heels in races at Flemington and The Valley.
This is another lovely race for her, and we can have an each way play at the price.
1 Unit E/W Kiko
