Sandown Racecourse will host their feature race meeting of the year today in the way of Zipping Classic day. We take a look at each of the races on the card and give our tips and best bets.
Race One: 1 Mikuni
Race Two: 2 Royal Rapture
Race Three: 1 Qewy
Race Four: 6 O’Malley
Race Five: 6 Quick Feet
Race Six: 1 Morton’s Fork
Race Seven: 2 Big Orange
Race Eight: 11 Super Cash
Race Nine: 13 Cool Chap
Race Ten: 2 Silent Sedition
Best Bet: Race Ten Number 2 Silent Sedition
Next Best: Race Seven Number 2 Big Orange
Best Value: Race Five Number 6 Quick Feet
Other News:
Adelaide trainer Gordon Richards has no qualms about extending Benz to the distance of the Sandown Guineas.
At Sandown on Saturday Benz will be attempting 1600 metres for the first time.
Richards has always thought highly of Benz’s ability and was planning a Caulfield Guineas assault until the gelding had a minor setback.
Benz is yet to race beyond 1400m, a trip he ran fifth over at Flemington last Saturday after jumping from barrier 16.
“There’s never been any need to put him over a mile as he was winning over the 1000 and 1200 metres without any problem,” Richards said.
“When he ran such a good race last week over 1400 and while we were in Melbourne we thought we could stay over and put him in this race.
“I’ve never had any doubt about him running it (1600m) but having said that if he gets any daylight he tends to get going a bit.”
Richards said Benz was keen in his last-start fifth behind Souchez after drawing wide.
However the trainer took heart from his previous outing when fifth in the Listed Durbridge Stakes (1200m) at Morphettville on October 15.
He said the gelding was slow into stride and raced towards the tail, but importantly settled well.
Richards doesn’t see the Sandown Guineas as being an overly strong race.
“Morton’s Fork and Jennifer Lynn are possibly the two strongest horses but the rest look pretty even,” he said.
“My horse, he’s a trier, and if he puts in again he’ll be around the mark.”
Benz sits on the third line of betting at $7.50 with Morton’s Fork a dominant $2.05 favourite ahead of Jennifer Lynn at $4.
