Sandown Hillside Nov 16 Selections & Comments by Peter Ellis (Updated)

Race 1:

1. Hanseatic (3)
2. Glenfiddich (2)
3. Geist (10)
4. Divine Caprice (8)

Race 2:

1. Haky (2)
2. Sound (1)
3. Azuro (4)
4. Wall Of Fire (5)

Race 3:

1. Xilong (2)
2. California Salto (6)
3. Sophia’s Choice (3)
4. Palurien (4)

Xilong, emerging filly defeated smart performers Li’l Kontra and Garner in first two starts this campaign before hard-fought 3^rd Sydneysiders Akari and Betcha Flying in listed 1400m at Flemington.

Californa Salto showed promise in first campaign and most impressive beating older mares on resumption Newcastle 1300m. Picked up ground when away from traffic at Flemington.

Sophie’s Choice had no luck on debut at Geelong but has thrived since winning at Cranbourne and Geelong before taking on the boys 2^nd Banquo at Flemington last Saturday.

Palurien was no match for well-regarded stablemate Knickpoint at Newcastle before scoring cosily Kensington 1300m Nov 5. A work in progress.

Zoujea [8] only scraped home when an odds-on favourite at Bendigo [1100m] but shapes as though she’ll be better at this trip.

 

Race 4:

1. Widgee Turf (1)
2. Gold Fields (2)
3. William Thomas (5)
4. Music Bay [4]

Widgee Turf is always tough to beat placing in Gr. 1 Rupert Clarke before sound effort in Toorak when forced extremely wide. Suited by spacious Hillside circuit.

Gold Fields is back to his best outpointing Cranbourne Cup winner Dr. Drill Valley 1600m before scoring over the same trip in Listed Sale Cup. Mandela Effect has franked that form.

William Thomas is unknown at 1500m but has never gone better. Charged home from impossible position 4^th Valley 1200m then only nailed late 3^rd [60.5kg] Flemington 1400m.

 Music Bay completed last campaign with a Gr. 2 victory at Morphettville and should be ready to fire following three starts from a break while  Mr Exclusive [8] goes in exotics.

 

Race 5:

1. Easy Eddie (3)
2. Viridine (4)
3. Faatinah (1)
4. Thermal Current (6)

Easy Eddie was placed behind Nature Strip in Gr. 1 Galaxy last prep and is going better than latest efforts would suggest. Conceded  Piracy 8.5kg  when runner-up Warwick Farm 1000m before doing it tough against top quality opposition at Randwick and Rosehill.

Viridine worked home stylishly behind stablemate Trekking in Gr. 2 Schillaci Caulfield 1100m then not suited by rain softened surface at Flemington. Inside barrier a negative.

Faatinah is clearly at his best over 1000m winning Gr.. 2 McEwan first-up before close 4^th in Gr. 1 Moir when posted wide throughout.

Thermal Current, 9yo picked up late ground when resuming at Cranbourne then no luck when a fast finishing 4^th Soothing Flemington 1000m while All Over Bosanova [7]  goes in exotics.

 

Race 6:

1. Home Of The Brave (3)
2. D’bai (4)
3. Ringerdingding (6)
4. Hey Doc (1)

Home Of The Brave, talented import who appears to be stronger this campaign. Fought hard after leading 2^nd Brutal Randwick 1200m Gr. 2 then only collared late at Randwick and Rosehill.

D’bai was a consistent performer at a high level when trained in England although has only raced twice this year winning Gr,2 1400m at Meydan before 8^th Randwick All Aged Stakes..

Ringerdingding  has mixed his form since taking the Guineas on this day last year but can pull out a big run fresh. Ex Chris Waller.

Hey Doc has failed to find best in three starts since leading throughout In Valley Group 1 1200m Oct 2017. Check betting.

Order Of Command [7] has been working home strongly over 1200m suggesting he is ready for the additional 100m.

 

Race 7:

1. Pretty Brazen (10)
2. Affair To Remember (11)
3. Conquerer (2)
4. Banquo (1)

Pretty Brazen has appreciated the waiting tactics employed this campaign scoring emphatic victories at Bendigo and Caulfield  before fast finishing 5^th Flemington listed 1400m.

Affair To Remember has been absolutely luckless in two starts since  winning Geelong maiden Sept 1.

Charged home when finally secured clear running 3^rd Nudge Flemington 1700m.

Conqueror is proven at 1600m finishing close-up in Caulfield Guineas and Flemington Carbine Club after an unlucky 3^rd in Stutt Stakes. Value runner.

Banquo, progressive colt always had rivals covered in Sale maiden then again quickly in box seat when successful in listed 1400m at Flemington last Saturday.

Heart Of Puissance [4] has the necessary ability but still on a learning curve. .

 

Race 8:

1. Southern France (5)
2. Dal Harraild (6)
3. Chapada (8)
4. Humidor (1)

Southern France can be forgiven his Melbourne Cup 19^th when trapped wide in a messy race. Would win this on his best European form including recent 3^rd Irish St Leger.[2800m].

Dal Harraild acquitted himself well in four Australian appearances last spring and is better for recent racing,  Picked up late ground in Bart Cummings before doing it tough in Geelong Cup.

Chapada was placed at the elite level in Victoria Derby and Rosehill Guineas last season and is looking for 2400m following one-paced 6^th Tally Rosehill Cup [2000m].

Humidor has been unplaced  in six starts since returning from injury but only needs to repeat his effort in Moonee Valley Cup to be very competitive.

Ventura Storm [2] thwarted by muddling speed  on back of Melbourne Cup last year but is sharper this time around.

 

Race 9:

1. Noire (1)
2. Vanuatu (11)
3. Sweet Scandal [3]
4. Platinum Angel (5)

 Noire needs the breaks to fall her way but is clearly the class runner – wide gate and spacious Hillside should be in her favour and is safe bet on both totes.

Vanuatu, carefully placed 4yo lumped 60kg to victory when resuming Cranbourne 1400m then pushed wide before finishing strongly 3^rd Amangiri in Gr. 3 Valley 1600m.

Sweet Scandal has come back extra well scoring first-up at Randwick before solid thirds at Caulfield and Flemington [1400m].

Platinum Angel, group performer at her top following three starts from a break. Lacked galloping room at Caulfield then anchored under 59kg at Flemington.

Victory Kingdom [10] had to tire after a torrid run at Caulfield then KO’D when in contention at Flemington. Can surprise at big odds.

Race 10:

1. Setting Sail (4)
2. Plein Ciel (3)
3. Mr Money Bags (6)
4. Pacodali (1)

Setting Sail only needs to produce his best English form to be wining this, Fought hard after sitting close to the speed 2^nd [of 21] York 2000m and also in a quality handicap at Goodwood

Plein Ceil has only managed two wins in 13 starts since returning from injury two years ago but has been doing his best work late, suggesting this is his target.

Mr Money Bags hasn’t won in almost 12 months but is knocking on the door. Raced inferior ground 4^th Sale Cup then took off early  2^nd Flemington 1800m.

Pacodali has been consistent since returning from a short break. Held-up at critical stage 4^th Valley Gr. 2 1600m before peaking under 62kg when 3^rd in Kyneton Cup.

Danon Roman  [8] Japanese import failed to fire in three starts earlier this year but did hit the line with purpose when successful on resumption Mornington 1600m

 

BEST BET: Xilong

EACH WAY: Noire

VALUE: Dal Harraild