Sandown Preview & Best Bets – Wednesday August 31

Adam Cusworth

in Bets of the Day 30 Aug 2022

Our form expert provides Sandown tips for today’s horse racing at Sandown Racecourse and gives his best bets.

Sandown Tips 31/08/2022

BEST BET 🏆

Race 1 No. 13 WALTZ ON BY – ($2.45)

A few unknowns with some first starters in action in the opener but WALTZ ON BY is a clear top pick in this, dropping down from black-type racing for the first time. The Peter Moody-trained filly was runner-up in the Talindert Stakes (1100m) earlier this year then was put aside after a luckless performance when 9th in the Blue Diamond (1200m), beaten less than three lengths. The daughter of I Am Invincible resumed at Caulfield on August 13 in the Quezette Stakes (1100m) and was held up for the majority of the straight before running 6th to Bound For Home. She went seven lengths faster than standard that day and at her last campaign she nearly claimed the Talindert at this stage. Luke Nolen rides and just negotiate the wide barrier.

NEXT BEST 🥈

Race 4 No. 1 CYCLONE SALLY – ($4)

CYCLONE SALLY has been racing in great fashion of late and no reason to suggest why she can’t give this a big shake. The Mick Bell-trained mare loves a wet track and was a big winner at the Hillside circuit then the Lakeside circuit back in June. Last time out, the six-year-old was seen at Moonee Valley on August 20 and again thrived on the Heavy, camping on speed to hold out Lackeen by more than a length. She set a personal best by going eight lengths faster than standard that day and is likely to get something Soft or worse here. Alana Kelly rides and claims the 2kg.

NEXT BEST 🥈

Race 7 No. 1 CYCLONE SALLY – ($4)

DAYTONA BAY can go on with the job in Race 7. The Peter Moody-trained galloper has won three of four and comes into this off a six-week break, having knocked over Jimmy The Bear on July 16 at Flemington over the 1400m. He settled handy that day with the 54kg and was too strong. The four-year-old rises in weight but did go a healthy 9.1 lengths faster than standard at his latest, while he races well on the fresh side. Tatum Bull takes the 3kg claim and draws to save ground from barrier 1.

BEST VALUE 💰(EACH-WAY)

Race 3 No. 9 SAVONIA – ($14)

SAVONIA represents a bit of value in Race 3 of the day at Sandown. The four-year-old from the Corstens stable was super consistent at her last preparation without winning before breaking through emphatically in a Maiden at Kyneton. She was then very competitive at Group 3 level at Morphettville in the Auraria Stakes (1800m), really only fading late to end 6th, beaten three lengths. The daughter of Shalaa produced solid figures relative to this grade all throughout her prep, including when first up at Sandown with a 3rd placing. She has drawn well for this assignment and won’t be too far away in the run.

BEST VALUE 💰(EACH-WAY)

Race 8 No. 12 HOKOLESQUA – ($14)

HOKOLESQUA is not without a chance in the final race of the day. The Team Hawkes galloper in the Chautauqua colours shows promise and was a winner in a BenchMark 64 at Cranbourne two starts ago before stepping out at Sandown Hillside on August 10, running 7th behind Miss Balevnie. He had to go back from the wide barrier that day and struck interference at the 300m mark before pulling up with a poor recovery. He did manage to go 6.5 lengths faster than standard benchmark, which are the best last start figures of any runner. The son of Star Turn has come in from $17 when markets opened and should enjoy a better time of it this time around from barrier 5.