AU - Sandown Lakeside - Race 5

Thoroughbred

9 Runners

Benchmark

Turf

HEAVY 8

35.0K

VIEW

Verdict

VALEDICTORIAN (5) resumes. He's only got the 1 win from 11 starts but has been very consistent with 6 minor placings and was in good form last campaign against some handy opposition. He looked to be putting it all together at the back end of last preparation and can return in good form here. RUSSIAN FRONT (8) presents third up having made nice improvement second up when beaten a long neck at Moe. He gets a nice run midfield here and looks a strong hope. TALKIN' ITALIAN (4) was dominant last time at Geelong and has to be included off that. MONGOLIAN CITY (2) is flying and did easily account for Russian Front when they clashed earlier in the campaign, albeit that horse was first up.

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Horse Stats

#/Silk	Horse#/Horse	Power Rating	High Speed	Win %	Top 3%	Win Prob	Odds
5	Is first-up after a break of six months and has been in the money when fresh before. Finished off last preparation second of 9 at Cranbourne Cl1 January 30 over 7 ½f, a long neck behind Late Harvest carrying 127lbs at $2.70. Previously first up, third of 8 at Kembla Grange Cge Mdn-Sw July 26 2025 over 6 ½f, 1.2 len behind Tong Ho with 125lbs at $2.50. Looks forward enough after a recent trial win. Form last time reads well, go close. 1st Pick 5 Valedictorian Jockey: Caitlin Hollowood Trainer: Julius Sandhu J: Caitlin Hollowood T: Julius Sandhu	88	-	-	-	19%	9/2
Analysis Is first-up after a break of six months and has been in the money when fresh before. Finished off last preparation second of 9 at Cranbourne Cl1 January 30 over 7 ½f, a long neck behind Late Harvest carrying 127lbs at $2.70. Previously first up, third of 8 at Kembla Grange Cge Mdn-Sw July 26 2025 over 6 ½f, 1.2 len behind Tong Ho with 125lbs at $2.50. Looks forward enough after a recent trial win. Form last time reads well, go close.
8	Third-up today and placed third-up in the past. Resuming 7th of 9 at Moe Cg&E Bm62 on June 18 over 6f, on a wet track, 7 len behind Mongolian City with 131lbs at $3.90. Second-up made ground from midfield, 2nd of 10 at Moe Bm62 on July 21 over 6f, on heavy track, long-neck behind Struggle Street carrying 123lbs at $6. Well placed. Peaks now and should get every chance. 2nd Pick 8 Russian Front Jockey: Jackson Radley Trainer: Andrea Leek J: Jackson Radley T: Andrea Leek	153	-	-	-	23%	7/2
Analysis Third-up today and placed third-up in the past. Resuming 7th of 9 at Moe Cg&E Bm62 on June 18 over 6f, on a wet track, 7 len behind Mongolian City with 131lbs at $3.90. Second-up made ground from midfield, 2nd of 10 at Moe Bm62 on July 21 over 6f, on heavy track, long-neck behind Struggle Street carrying 123lbs at $6. Well placed. Peaks now and should get every chance.
9	At the latest run got back early 6th of 11 at Sandown-Hillside 3yo Bm64 on July 15 over 5f, on rain affected going, 3.5 len behind Final Moment with 126lbs at $13. The race before that ran on from midfield and won by 1.5 len at Sale Mdn-Sw June 28 over 5f on a heavy track defeating Crypt with 127lbs at $5. Finds a nice race and can bounce back. 3rd Pick 9 Tan Tat Art Jockey: Non Runner Trainer: Chris Waller J: Non Runner T: Chris Waller	123	-	-	-	1%	Scratched
Analysis At the latest run got back early 6th of 11 at Sandown-Hillside 3yo Bm64 on July 15 over 5f, on rain affected going, 3.5 len behind Final Moment with 126lbs at $13. The race before that ran on from midfield and won by 1.5 len at Sale Mdn-Sw June 28 over 5f on a heavy track defeating Crypt with 127lbs at $5. Finds a nice race and can bounce back.

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Horse Racing Basic Terms

Rabbit

Also known as a pacemaker; this is a horse with no expected chance of winning but is used to prompt a quick pace on the front end of the race to the benefit of a stablemate who is a closer.

Synthetic Surface

A racing surface comprised of silica sand and fibers, such as recycled carpet or spandex. The mixture is then sealed with wax.

Objection

Claim of foul lodged by a jockey for perceived dangerous or illegal riding by a rival.