Eight races will be contested at Ladbrokes Park Sandown on Wednesday, August 25th.

The rail will be set out three metres around the entire course and at publish, we’re faced with a track rated in the Good (4) range.

Frontman was scratched from the McKenzie Stakes on Saturday to instead run here, and I think he’ll take plenty of beating.

The Redoute’s Choice gelding hasn’t been seen at the races since May, but ran second in maiden company at Eagle Farm when resuming last time and went to the paddock after contesting a Group 2 race.

He’s had the benefit of a nice trial in the lead-up to his return and this looks a lovely launchpad for him.

Florent is another horse who looks well placed dropping in class at Ladbrokes Park on Wednesday.

The Tony Noonan-trained mare has been a great horse for the stable throughout her career, and she has struck in some good Saturday metro races.

She flashed home to only just miss in BM84 company at Caulfield last time, and a repeat of that effort in this race would see her very hard to beat.

Betting suggests that this is one of the more open contests on Wednesday’s program in Melbourne, and a horse like Saint Of Katowice looks to be a key winning chance at around the $6 mark.

The Elzaam gelding has missed placing only once in his last six starts, winning three times.

He takes his place in this field off the back of a second placing behind the smart Mr Brightside and get some relief in the weights this week under talented apprentice Josh Richards.

I’m going to give Tanker another chance second-up at a big price this week ($26 at publish).

The Pride Of Dubai gelding showed plenty of ability during his early two-year-old campaign, and while he hasn’t quite lived up to expectations, he has still managed some good performances and result.

He clearly needed the run when fifth here at the beginning of the month, but I’m confident he’ll enjoy good improvement for that effort, and we can have a genuine each-way play at the price.

Veranskova is at peak fitness, and this looks a lovely race for her.

The Written Tycoon mare has finished worse than second only once in her last five trips to the races, winning at Sale most notably, and she enters this contest off a close-up second in a similar contest here.

This looks to be her level and Ben Melham can give her a lovely ride from barrier 3.

Race 6 – 3:20pm – Ladbrokes Easy Form Handicap (2100m)

This is a very good race for a Wednesday, and I’m going to have something on Northwest Passage, who looks a touch of overs at around the $10 mark.

Northwest Passage’s career has included a couple of lengthy breaks, but he has recorded some excellent result throughout, including three wins in Listed company.

I think he’ll enjoy plenty of improvement from his resumed effort for fifth behind Hi Stranger at The Valley, and he’ll get some relief in the weights under Josh Richards.

Race 7 – 3:55pm – Ladbrokes Same Race Multi Handicap (1200m)

Invincible Jet will take winning form into the penultimate race at Ladbrokes Park on Wednesday and can continue his rise through the grades.

The I Am Invincible gelding went to the paddock after winning by nearly five lengths at Kembla Grange in December, and he picked up where he left off with a lovely win here at Ladbrokes Park.

He should only improve for that effort, and will take plenty of beating again.

Race 8 – 4:30pm – MRC Membership Handicap (1400m)

I expected to see He’s The Real Deel contest a Saturday metropolitan race following his bullish win here last time, and he is subsequently my best bet on the program.

The Dundeel gelding has won his two starts back this time by a combined eight lengths, but it was his second-up performance that was really special, and saw him greet the judge five lengths ahead of Bricktop.

Fitter third-up, and I’m keen to have a decent crack again.