AU - Sandown Lakeside - Race 2

Thoroughbred

5 Runners

19.4f

Hurdle

Turf

HEAVY 8

71.5K

VIEW

Verdict

Keen to stick with HIGHLAND BLAZE (1) who looks best suited stepping out to the 2 ?m here. Last time we saw him here he won the Australian Hurdle dominantly and he's building to something like that, narrowly beaten by THE STORYTELLER (2) at Warrnambool last time out. Highland Blaze started favourite there and meets The Storyteller slightly better at the weights, thinking he turns the tables. Also very wary of MR WATERVILLE (3) who belted the Novice Hurdle field at Warrnambool last time out. He's the one with plenty of upside who will stay 2 ?m no worries at all. KARBURAN (4) was well behind The Storyteller at Warrnambool two back but was much better at Casterton and could bridge back the margin. FENGARADA (5) also comes through the Casterton race and was in the market behind Mr Waterville prior, he too has claims.

numberFire Picks

Horse Stats

#/Silk	Horse#/Horse	Power Rating	High Speed	Win %	Top 3%	Win Prob	Odds
1	Useful gelding. Last outing made ground from midfield, finished second in a small field at Warrnambool Hdle-Swp on May 6 over 2m, on heavy track, 1.3 len behind The Storyteller with 154lbs at $2.10. The start before that, finished fourth of 8 runners at this track Bm74 on April 15 over 1m, slow track, 5 len behind Suffolk Star with 131lbs at $4. Sure to improve again. Should peak to 2m, go close. 1st Pick 1 Highland Blaze Jockey: Jordan Hart Trainer: Shane Jackson J: Jordan Hart T: Shane Jackson	173	-	-	-	37%	7/4
Analysis Useful gelding. Last outing made ground from midfield, finished second in a small field at Warrnambool Hdle-Swp on May 6 over 2m, on heavy track, 1.3 len behind The Storyteller with 154lbs at $2.10. The start before that, finished fourth of 8 runners at this track Bm74 on April 15 over 1m, slow track, 5 len behind Suffolk Star with 131lbs at $4. Sure to improve again. Should peak to 2m, go close.
2	Chasing a hat-trick. Last start won by 1.3 len Warrnambool Hdle-Swp on May 6 over 2m on heavy going defeating Highland Blaze with 143lbs at $3.10 in a hurdle. Before that came from midfield and won by 3.5 len Terang Mdn Hdle-Sw on April 19 over 2m on heavy going defeating Ardakan carrying 153lbs at $3.40 in a hurdle. Continues to improve. Should take a power of beating again. 2nd Pick 2 The Storyteller Jockey: Luca Remondet Trainer: John Leek Jr J: Luca Remondet T: John Leek Jr	159	-	-	-	34%	2/1
Analysis Chasing a hat-trick. Last start won by 1.3 len Warrnambool Hdle-Swp on May 6 over 2m on heavy going defeating Highland Blaze with 143lbs at $3.10 in a hurdle. Before that came from midfield and won by 3.5 len Terang Mdn Hdle-Sw on April 19 over 2m on heavy going defeating Ardakan carrying 153lbs at $3.40 in a hurdle. Continues to improve. Should take a power of beating again.
3	Recent form hard to fault. Last to post a big 7 len win. Warrnambool Swp Hdle on May 7 over 2m on heavy track defeating Fengarada with 143lbs at $6.50 in a hurdle. The run before sat on speed throughout then finished second of 10 runners at Warrnambool Mdn Hdle-Sw on May 5 over 2m, on heavy track, 1.3 len behind Andy Win with 153lbs at $5. Racing well. Progressive, can go on with it. 3rd Pick 3 Mr Waterville Jockey: Steven Pateman Trainer: Clayton Douglas J: Steven Pateman T: Clayton Douglas	224	-	-	-	37%	7/4
Analysis Recent form hard to fault. Last to post a big 7 len win. Warrnambool Swp Hdle on May 7 over 2m on heavy track defeating Fengarada with 143lbs at $6.50 in a hurdle. The run before sat on speed throughout then finished second of 10 runners at Warrnambool Mdn Hdle-Sw on May 5 over 2m, on heavy track, 1.3 len behind Andy Win with 153lbs at $5. Racing well. Progressive, can go on with it.

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Horse Racing Basic Terms

Yielding

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

Dead Heat

Two or more horses finishing so close at the wire, that they were unable to be separated on a photo finish and deemed to have tied.

Blinkers

A hood worn on a horse’s head to limit side vision, which can improve concentration. Blinkers are added or removed to relax a horse or give it more focus.