Can Extend measure up in the Sandown Classic?

Cha-ching.com.au are continuing their outstanding service for our readers with a weekly preview of the major race meeting in Australia for the week.

With the Melbourne Cup carnival winding up with a nightmare day for punters on Emirates Stakes day, attention turns to Sandown for the Sandown Classic meeting. This meeting throws up some interesting results, with a cross of horses continuing on with their long spring campaigns coming up against the fresh horses on the scene.

No race better fits that description than the Sandown Classic, pitting the Cup horses such as Zipping, Blue Monday and The Fuzz (a late scratching on the day) against the new blood of Extend, Fire In The Night, and impressive Cup day winner Red Lord. Zipping is a short priced favourite in early markets, with the 2400m appearing to be perfect. He is the most advantaged by the weight scale, but there must be a query on him backing up from a tough Cup run. If you don't want to be taking the shorts, Extend looks the fresh horse on the scene at double figure odds in early markets. He may be suited by an apparent lack of tactical speed in the race, and whilst not suited by WFA, this is not a vintage field.

The other G2 race on the card is the Sandown Guineas for 3yos. Belcentra is the early favourite after her dominant win on Cup day, however she has drawn gate 17 and this is a step up in class. If you're not in her corner, the race is wide open, with horses coming from many form lines and a lively tempo up front expected. El Mandon and Zacroona are obvious dangers but perhaps the value is with other horses coming through those races at longer odds such as Distant Melody and Lucky Duke. Last year threw up the $61 winner Sender – Rod Douglas will be looking for consecutive winners this year with Zacroona.

The sprinters strut their stuff in the Sandown Stakes and the Kevin Heffernan. Royal Ida is a clear early favourite in the Stakes, and for good reason, but Great Is Great appears to be great value if he can come on from his exceptional first up third in the Salinger. Let Go Thommo is a clear top pick in the Kevin Heffernan – he is racing in sensational form, and has shown a liking for the Sandown track in the past. Adelaide raider Pencelaron comes through the Salinger but makes the jump to WFA, while Lee Freedman's 3yo filly Gibraltar Campion is the interesting runner of the race with only 51kgs. Beware the 3yo form though – this spring it has continued to fall short, and older seasoned horses such as Cocinero and Spectacular Saint look better chances if you prefer to back one at odds to beat the favourite.

All Australian races are covered at Sportsbet Australia.

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