Mick’s Mail: Sandown 25/1/2025

R1- We kick off the proceedings with Hola Amigos looking to get a few favours, he should lead on the fence with first use of the track and just an even speed. If something decides to take him on it may even suit better as long as they don’t go mad. His last run at Geelong had merit albeit he was held up at a vital stage. I like Ben Allen going on also.

He’s Beset is the danger, his first up run in a tougher race than this was a good warm up for the prep, he has never missed a place 2^nd up, draws perfectly, loves the distance and Mott is riding in career best form.

Porter is racing very well and is a good chance, the barrier Is a slight concern.

Aiming is first up and will be running on, along with the other fresh Maher horse Khor who could be a blow out at crazy odds.

Backing #4 Hola Amigos, saving #1 He’s Beset

R2- A plain race here with not much between the top hopes and little value to speak of at present.

Steal The Sun is on top, hopefully they run along a bit as he should get back in the race. The small field will suit in that regard and the jockey change is a decent upgrade.

Sir Atlas has ability and will benefit from the claim given the handicapper hasn’t missed him, he is the testing material and has more class than the others.

Revelare is lightly raced and putting a nice record together, if he is gifted a soft lead then he will prove tough to run down.

Brooklyn Boss is ready to improve after 3 runs back and should go as a trifecta hope.

No Bet

R3- A cup of tea race with most of the field facing the starter for the first time.

I’m keen to watch the son of Farnan in Olatunde, he may have some nice upside.

No Bet

R4- Another 2yo race with limited exposure to all the field.

Of those raced I like Price Tag; she should have the help of the inside barrier which is a huge bonus in guiding these young ones around.

In relation to the unraced brigade, My Gladiola looks a nice type, she jumped out nicely last week and is beautifully bred.

No Bet

R5- Ok, enough of the watch races, lets get stuck in now.

Mrs Chrissie is my best bet of the day, she loves the 1000M, will sit just of what looks to be a decent speed, gets Zahra to ride, and drops from open class back to a BM70 race.

Pondalowie resumes here and is another dropping back to benchmark racing, if they do ‘overcook’ it in front then look for her late, she can rattle off nice closing sectionals.

Fickle is very honest and makes her on luck up on speed, the thorn in her side may be Midwest annoying her here. She has an almost perfect record at the 1000M that shouldn’t be underestimated. I can’t get her anywhere near the $2.50 currently on offer though.

Philosopher rarely runs a bad race and a forward showing here wont surprise.

Backing #2 Mrs Chrissie 

R6- An even bunch here and I’ve settled on Actaeon at double figure odds. This fella is hard fit, draws nicely, Stackhouse has won on him previously, and the drop back to 2100M is ideal.

Perfect Play is cherry ripe after 2 runs back from a break and the stable are flying. Early race is vital to him, he needs to jump, cross and sit up and let others go around him, he cant get cast like his most recent run. Tyler Schiller is an outstanding rider, and he should give him every hope.

The lightly raced Inevitable Award is going very well, he will appreciate the step out to 2100M and is a great chance.

Kings Valley rarely runs a bad race and must be considered.

Backing #5 Actaeon

R7- What a tough race to kick off the quaddy, you could pick 5 of the 10 starters here and still miss the winner.

My Brothers Keeper resumed in great fashion in a deepish race, he goes ok 2^nd up and won at his only visit to the track. If he’s gone ahead from his Flemington run then he will go close here.

Aspen Colorado is a cheeky chance here, he maps nicely, comes out of a very astute stable and the slight step back in distance to the mile is perfect.

Smokin’ Princess is in a rich vein of form, she gets in only a kilo over the minimum after Prebble’s claim, is a ‘winner’ (7 from 17) and the Payne’s horses keep their form well.

Both Farhh Flung and Le Zebra seem to find one better all the time but rarely run a poor race, they should be considered.

Backing #10 My Brothers Keeper

R8- The WA visitor Aztec Ruler will be extremely hard to beat here is his last run is any indication. His run in the Standish was very good, McNeil sticks, drawn to suit and this is an easier event.

Torranzino interests me also at huge odds (currently $21), his racing pattern is one where he can get out of his ground although I see him being closer here and with luck should be thereabouts.

Chorlton Lane gets map favours here, he’s very capable on his day and this isn’t beyond him.

Vagrant is a horse I have a soft spot for, she’s been out the winners list for some time now but if her best form turned up here then it’s goodnight nurse.

Backing #2 Aztec Ruler

R9- I think Wonder Boy will be hard to beat here, he got caught in a bad spot first up and didn’t quicken when they took off.  Blinkers go on here first time, they will sharpen him up and his best numbers are good enough to win this.

Ndola resumes here and is a promising colt, natural improvement off his first prep should hold him in good stead. If the money comes then make sure you go with it.

Band Of Brothers was good when resuming and won his only start 2nd up, he won’t be far away.

Odinson is an interesting runner, one victorious winter start in QLD and then spelled, he has had the cruellest cut since but that may have switched him right on. One not to let under your guard. Good race this!!

Backing #6 Wonder Boy (very wary of any market moves though)

R10- The lucky last (lets hope so) but not a race I want to get overly involved in.

Sunshineinmypocket is my top pick, he has good ability and arrives here first up. His recent jump outs appeared only average although I suspect he wasn’t asked for too much. He won his first 3 starts and some decent horses were left in his wake.

Better Link won well when resuming, he boasts a 50%-win record which is meritorious given he’s had a few issues during his career. Hopefully that is all behind him and he can go on with it here.

New York Lustre is a good mare from a very astute stable, she will be in the finish although the price is a little prohibitive for my liking.

Carbonados returns with his only failure fresh being when he bled. He’s better than a $17 chance.

No Bet

R5-2 best of the day

R8-2

R6-5

R1-4x,1…6,8….5?

R2-11,1,7,9 plain race

R3-too many unraced, keen to watch 4

R4-tricky with first starters, 5 of those raced, 13 of the unraced

R5-2xxx best/day,4,6,3

R6-5v,4,10,8

R7-tough race 10,9,4,6,5

R8-2xx,7,4,6

R9-6x,5,1,2

R10-8x,11,13,3

Best of luck if you’re playing.