Cameron Happ‘s review of Sandown racing on Saturday

I’m sacking I’m Thunderstruck after getting beat again on Saturday. Picture: Morgan Hancock – Racing Photos

Three winners from our blackbook and while I went the wrong way with a number of black bookers in the Oakleigh Plate, hopefully a few found Uncommon James.

The track was firm as expected off the hot weather we had during the week and this sort of surface always tends to favour those that can position in the front half of the field. When tempo allowed it was still possible to storm home as shown by Gold Trip that came from a mile off them to just miss.

Punters fared ok with the four outright favourites saluting along with Espiona as a close second elect. With a few tough races later in the card the quaddie looked tricky, but was certainly achievable with no winner paying double figures on the entire card.

BLACK BOOKERS

AMADE. The Phillip Stokes trained import looks to be right on track for when he steps out to his preferred longer trips. He was gone at the start yesterday when blowing the start by around three lengths in a race that was totally dominated out in front by the in form Right You Are, so Zac Spain rode him quiet to be tacking on approaching the home turn and he worked through his gears running the best of every closing split in the race. Adelaide might come too soon, but he'll be winning soon.

CALL DI. While she's never likely to live up to her unbelievable breeding (Frankel x Samantha Miss) this Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou-trained filly does look to have a good win in her. Coming off a maiden win first-up, it was a big step to travel to Victoria and rise to Group 2 level, but she easily measured up. Damien Oliver rode her quiet to still be back near last on the home turn and she was hampered at the 400m. Balancing up, she's worked through her gears like a stayer running the sixth fastest last 600m split of the meeting and splits very similar to the winner.

It took the whole straight but Shuffle Dancer gets the better of Royal Merchant in the Angus Armanasco! @BMelham@moodyracingpgmpic.twitter.com/dN662dbP7J

— 7HorseRacing ???? (@7horseracing) February 25, 2023

PRIDE OF JENNI. This didn't turn out to be much more than a barrier trial for the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained mare. She didn't like being cluttered away behind the leader where she over raced for the first half of the race and out sprinted racing tight at the 400m, she never saw a lot of room along the rails for the entirety of the straight. A mare that loves to dominate out in front and always improves with racing, she can be well-placed over the next few months as she loves a wet track.

TOREGENE. Coming out of the same race, this lightly raced Matthew Williams trained mare couldn't have done much more first-up. She'd shown she was back in great shape, winning two jumpouts and despite Dean Yendall giving her the run of the race, she was the first one to come under pressure and looked like she may struggle at the 300m. Instead, she dug deep to hold out everything apart from the race fit Espiona who peeled off her back. Unbeaten on wet tracks, she'll be suited in Sydney and Brisbane.

PERICLES. It's going to take a handy horse to beat this Godolphin-owned son of Street Boss. He was rushed through to the Victorian Derby at just his fourth career start and yesterday he showed he's taken a huge step for that tough first prep. Straight into the run of the race for by Jamie Kah, he's shown a sharp turn of foot without being asked for everything and put the race away at the 200m. Still open to so much upside, a shot at the Australian Cup would be tempting the stable on the way to the Australian Derby.

Pericles is one to follow out of Sandown. Picture: Scott Barbour – Racing Photos

DUBENENKO. Tricky race for a black book runner with most having their grand final at Sandown, but this South Australian-trained visitor could be well-placed in a race like the Victorian Sires Produce. Ridden quiet from the tricky gate, the Russian Revolution trained filly was still back last when held up from the 400-200m. Once she saw daylight, she's launched running the best last 200m split of the race, giving windburn to some handy horses.

CLOCK STOPPER – MR BRIGHTSIDE

The entire stable is firing for Ben and JD Hayes and their best horse is right on track for his main Autumn target, the All-Star Mile at Moonee Valley. Craig Williams did nothing wrong, he just didn't have the speed to put himself any closer in the run and when the leaders got a soft split from the 1000-800m, he was left with too much to do. Building through his gears, he's run a meeting best last 600m (32.79) and 400m (21.60) and was only 0.01 off Sebonacks meeting best last 200m of 11.13. If he draws a gate in the big feature, he's a huge danger to Alligator Blood.

ALLIGATOR BLOOD does it again! ????

He's an absolute SUPERSTAR.@GaiWaterhouse1pic.twitter.com/wRilW42Ml9

— 7HorseRacing ???? (@7horseracing) February 25, 2023

FORGIVE RUNNERS

SEBONACK. Awkward out of the gates, the race was over early for the team Hawkes trained gelding. Running slick late splits, he can win soon.

DENY KNOWLEDGE. This imported mare has done a big job after her saddle slipped badly at the 1600m. Entitled to drop out after going far too hard in front, she's done a big job to only fade over the last 100m.

STEEL CITY. After a dream run, we'll never know what the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace trained filly had to offer when badly held up and untested the entire straight. She can go to Sydney with a bit left in the tank.

“IT'S HAYES AGAIN!”

LITTLE BROSE WINS THE DIAMOND! @lindsayparkracepic.twitter.com/ivDxH3SH4e

— 7HorseRacing ???? (@7horseracing) February 25, 2023

ASFOORA. Floundering at the start, this flying mare found herself further back in the run than would have been expected. She got a perfect run from there, but a clean get away would likely have had her in front of the eventual winner in the early stages.

FORGET RUNNER

I'M THUNDERSTRUCK. No doubting his talent but he's just not a betting proposition. He doesn't finish off his races when ridden closer, but to give him his chance, he's forced to give away huge starts to top quality horses. Prefer to bet around him from now on.

YOUNG WERTHER. He's just not up to the grade he's forced to race in and as the winner of just one race, he's better off being avoided.