AU - Sandown Lakeside - Race 1

Thoroughbred

9 Runners

Benchmark

Turf

GOOD 4

43.5K

VIEW

Verdict

Rail 3m and the track should be in A1 order for Boxing Day at Sandown. Doubt being handy to the speed will be a bad idea. Can ZEBRA FINCH (1) get handy? Raced on speed when he won well at Rosehill third up last prep and he should be able to slide into a stalking role this time. They crawled along at Ballarat and he closed well in the scenario. Mile and a truer tempo can see him peaking now. HELIOSON (5) can improve onto the bigger track this time. He has shown some talent. FLYING DONE (4) and PRINCING (7) both turn up having won maidens in cruise control last time. Clearly things get tougher here but they both look made for the grade. MAKE ME A STAR (9) couldn't follow up the maiden win but ran well again last time and should be around the mark.

numberFire Picks

Horse Stats

#/Silk	Horse#/Horse	Power Rating	High Speed	Win %	Top 3%	Win Prob	Odds
1	Third-up today and won third-up in the past. Resuming second last of 7 at Rosehill Grad Bm68 on November 12 over 6f, 4.5 len behind Casserousse with 132lbs at $26. Second-up sat on the pace when 2nd of 7 at Ballarat 3yo Bm78 on December 6 over 7f, slow going 1.3 len behind Tempt The Gods carrying 126lbs at $7. Fitter now and making headway. Lovely step forward second up and should go on again. 1st Pick 1 Zebra Finch Jockey: Craig Williams Trainer: Ciaron Maher J: Craig Williams T: Ciaron Maher	202	-	-	-	20%	4/1
Analysis Third-up today and won third-up in the past. Resuming second last of 7 at Rosehill Grad Bm68 on November 12 over 6f, 4.5 len behind Casserousse with 132lbs at $26. Second-up sat on the pace when 2nd of 7 at Ballarat 3yo Bm78 on December 6 over 7f, slow going 1.3 len behind Tempt The Gods carrying 126lbs at $7. Fitter now and making headway. Lovely step forward second up and should go on again.
5	Raced twice to date. When well in the market at debut, came from midfield and won by 1.0 len at Kyneton Mdn-Sw November 18 over 7f defeating Veins Within Rock with 150lbs at $2.50. Second-up 5th of 7 at Caulfield Heath 3yo Bm64 on December 3 over 1m, 2.25 len behind Island Boy carrying 130lbs at $8. Bigger track might be better for him now. 2nd Pick 5 Helioson Jockey: Luke Cartwright Trainer: Patrick & Michelle Payne J: Luke Cartwright T: Patrick & Michelle Payne	107	-	-	-	14%	13/2
Analysis Raced twice to date. When well in the market at debut, came from midfield and won by 1.0 len at Kyneton Mdn-Sw November 18 over 7f defeating Veins Within Rock with 150lbs at $2.50. Second-up 5th of 7 at Caulfield Heath 3yo Bm64 on December 3 over 1m, 2.25 len behind Island Boy carrying 130lbs at $8. Bigger track might be better for him now.
4	Racing well recently. At the latest run won by 3 len at Warrnambool 3yo Mdn-Sw November 30 over 7f on a rain affected track defeating Fierce Fighter with 128lbs at $4.20. Before that 3rd of 7 at Warrnambool 3yo Mdn-Sw on November 11 over 7f, slow going 2.75 len behind Panda Alert with 128lbs at $2.25. Off the mark in good style and ready for this better company now. 3rd Pick 4 Flying Done Jockey: Jamie Melham Trainer: Matthew Williams J: Jamie Melham T: Matthew Williams	112	-	-	-	9%	11/1
Analysis Racing well recently. At the latest run won by 3 len at Warrnambool 3yo Mdn-Sw November 30 over 7f on a rain affected track defeating Fierce Fighter with 128lbs at $4.20. Before that 3rd of 7 at Warrnambool 3yo Mdn-Sw on November 11 over 7f, slow going 2.75 len behind Panda Alert with 128lbs at $2.25. Off the mark in good style and ready for this better company now.

Upcoming Races

Horse Racing Basic Terms

Yielding

A rain-soaked turf condition often producing a slick or heavy course and slower finish times.

Track Bias

The term used to identify which parts of the track or running styles are producing more winners.

Exercise Rider

A rider built much like a jockey but is employed for exercising and working out horses in the morning.