Australia Racing Preview for 2/18/2014

by Grant Davies

Mid-week racing back at Sandown today people and there hopefully is some money to be had on the wagering front.

Let’s take a quick look and build for the big Blue Diamond day coming up at Caulfield where it’s Girl vs Boy in the battle for title of the best 2YR old!

SANDOWN HILLSIDE – AUS A

RACE 4 - #CHARLIESMINIMOMENTS HANDICAP 1000m $35,000 (AUS)

Terrific mid-week race. They don't win 1000m maidens much more impressively than TANSY did at Stony Creek. He ran fast time for the day and looked to have a little more in the tank. He tested Hard Stride prior at Werribee. That horse wasn't disgraced against the top class 3yos at his next start. SELECTIFY was good in his first prep. He'll be running on strongly. CHLOE IN PARIS has been trialling well. MOPAREE strips fitter for her good return last start.  ARAGONESE, SENOR JUEZ and PADDY'S GEM have chances too.

SELECTIONS – TANSY / SELECTIFY / MOPAREE

RACE 5 - MISTABLE HANDICAP 1500m $35,000 (AUS)

Have to give PYRROLIC another chance. Not much went right 1st up in a much stronger race. With that run under his belt and a good draw he should be well suited to this grade. SABKHAT was good at Mornington. Blinkers go on and if he can slot in around midfield he should be thereabouts. SILENT MAN looked to win with plenty up his sleeve at Werribee. It's been a good form race. Like the way THE TERRICKS trialled with blinkers on. 1500m fresh should be perfect. ARCTIC SONG is next best and I doubt it ends there.

SELECTIONS – PYROLIC / SILENT MAN / THE TERRICKS

RACE 7 - GUINOT INTERNATIONAL HANDICAP 1300m $35,000 (AUS)

Another competitive race but a good one for NOT A LLAMA. She was most impressive at Geelong after a sound run against this class (Flem. straight) at just start no.2. Clearly she went better around a turn and couldn't see 1300m pulling her up on that performance. 3yo IL DIAMANTE is the danger. Her return behind Crooner was good. DEMANDZ ran well in a good filly's race last time. The barrier is awkward. DUET is next best from VALID CONTRACT, GRAND ZEE, SELL IN MAY and STAR IMPULSE. Thought MRS HADLEE needed luck from her barrier but concede she's very close to a win. LI

SELECTIONS – NOT A LLAMA / IL DIAMANTE / DEMANDZ