Sandown
Race 4 – The Autumn Belle
Jockey – Damian Lane
1500m – Barrier 2
Talented filly The Autumn Belle returns to the races seven weeks after her flashy win from a tricky position at Geelong. The daughter of The Autumn Sun found herself trapped behind tiring runners on that occasion, but was good enough to take an opening and surge to the line to win in encouraging fashion. Back to 1500-metres off a let-up is okay for today, and with regular jockey Madison Lloyd suspended, champion hoop Damian Lane leaves from gate two and can settle somewhere in the front half of the field with a clean getaway.
Not a heap of obvious speed in this, perhaps Savatoff and Ring Bearer have a look for the front early on, while Fire Of Etna won’t be far away from an outside gate when the field hits the first bend. Brazen Kingdom has drawn the inside alley and should receive a soft towards the rear. He was solid on the Lakeside circuit when fresh and will present fitter today second-up from a spell. His only win came on the synthetic, but the placing behind Poison Chalice over this trip last preparation reads well for this. Chance. Artzino has raced almost exclusively in better company that this and jumped out well for his resumption today. Will likely be better over more ground but can’t be ignored. Fire Of Etna is the other danger, racing well in similar company of late. Will look the winner at some stage.
The Autumn Belle finds a suitable race to continue her preparation before crossing the border to Adelaide in search of southern riches. She’s drawn for a lovely run and has the turn of foot to worry her rivals today. Strong each way claims, with bigger fish to fry.
Currently, The Autumn Belle is a $4.60 chance in the market.
Sandown
Race 8 – Wuddzz
Jockey – Rose Hammond
1800m – Barrier 7
Promising stayer Wuddzz resumes from a spell today, kicking off over 1800-metres at Sandown. The gelded son of Complacent enjoyed a successful preparation last time in work, notching two wins and proving competitive in good staying company before finding the paddock as tracks firmed up. Jockey Rose Hammond leaves from gate six and will drift back early, looking to warm up and run on late in the piece.
Perfect Ending looks the leader here from a low draw, with pressure coming from Let Fly and General Assembly to its outside. Freight Train will get a soft run tucked in one or two pairs behind the leaders and shapes as the runner to beat in this. Hard to ignore his debut win at Pakenham, where he stormed home to win impressively over a mile. The placegetters have since run well – albeit without winning – but he’ll be hard to hold out over more ground today. Inevitable Award came widest at Bendigo to score over 1600-metres three weeks ago, doing plenty wrong in the home straight and winning in spite of himself. There’s winning form behind him from that race, and he’s the other main hope in this. Each way chances to Gracias Amigo and Midnight Glow.
Today is a suitable starting point for Wuddzz, who is on a Warrnambool Cup path in the first week of May. He’ll find them too sharp over this trip, and will be better suited later on track with some give in them. He’ll take good benefit from the run, happy to watch him go around here.
Currently, Wuddzz is a $41 chance in the market.