Sandown & Newcastle Today

Midweek metro meeting at Sandown and Newmarket Handicap day at Newcastle.Sandown is a Dead 4 but will quickly upgrade to a Good 3 and Newcastle is already a Good 3 and it's fair to expect fast ground at both venues.
The lavish prize money distributed across the board in Australian racing is largely collected from us the punters.As a fair trade off you'd think it not unreasonable that on a midweek metro meeting we should be provided with a card of racing that if not of the quality of a Saturday is at least conducive to having a bet.Sandown today starts with a four runner steeplechase with the odds on favourite rated 60 on his flat form.This is followed by a 3 runner hurdle,followed by a 2-y-o fillies event with eight runners six of which are unraced and untrialled.Collectively these three races have prize money of $105,000 plus starter subsidies and Vobis bonuses.This is what happens when you have incompetent people spending other peoples money.The racing authorities want to collect even more money from us (punters) in order to continue and increase this idiocy.A lot of this nonsense that is being rammed down our throats wouldn't have been possible were it not for the insane policies of the current Victorian racing minister and now newly elected Premier Denis Napthine.Just remember who's paying for all this the next time they increase the turnover levy.

Sandown
Race 5
Scarletini is very well in here if she can run out the 2400m trip.Her 1533m win last time was very solid and she's been raised 5 points for it which is far from excessive.She races here of 69 yet gets 6kg's (12 points) from the top rated horse on a mark of 70.when you add on young Sadler's 3kg's claim she is thrown in.Will she stay?Maybe 70 to 75% likely.She's going to be leading here I think as there is no other obvious pace apart from Lord Of The Song who has led over hurdles.Going Good is a promising stayer and the extra trip will help him.I think there are only three of interest here.No advised but but my figures are:-
Scarletini 2.40,Going Good 4.0, Lord Of The Song 7.50 15.0 plus others

Race 6
Not a lot of pace here which means the ones who are up front should be advantaged.Catagious should lead and if he can stay 1400m will be a tough nut to crack.The 1400m is a big IF though.Maussane gets a good run just behind the speed and gets out to a trip that should suit him.Irish Fire has to try to cross from out wide but does risk being posted doing so but is a live hope if he gets the luck.Van Rossum is racing well and gets a good run but this is a tad harder than last time I think. Savitar and Aurum Spirit have to hope for speed and both look unders on early prices.No advised bet but thinking about backing Maussane.

Race 7
Lack of pace again here Mega Rich leads from gate 1 and should get a dolly run in front.This is harder than last time but the speed map convinces me that he's a serious player here.Red Rain is the obvious after his excellent effort in a good race at Moonee Valley last time.The problem is the 1400m and the fact he'll be in the second half of the field.Speckie is a horse with more to offer but first up from the outside gate I expect will go back and hope.Sharalam is ex Irish and his maiden win over there isn't good enough form to win this although he'll be a better proposition over further.Cooldini probably needs further and Host Of The Party get's back in his races.Mega Rich at 8.59/9.0 looks overs -I have him at 6.0.


Newcastle
Race 8
26 days between runs is a slight concern but City Of Light should be very hard to beat here.Rawiller will want the front on him and unless Avdulla on Mantonant is determined to hold the rail he should get it.Either way doubt they'll go hard.City of Light finds his race today providing he's fit and firing.I've taken the 3.50 on offer against my rating of 2.70.Youthful King is the one I fear most but he be giving away a start.

Advised Bets

Sandown    Race 7            Mega Rich  0.83 units to win at 6.50 or better ( take the 8.50 plus now)

Newcastle  Race 8             City Of Light  1.85 units to win at 2.90 or better (take the 3.50 now)