3 minute read
Despite a number of scratching today's Le Pines Funerals Handicap (race 6) at Sandown Lakeside looks a terrific race with a host of winning chances.
But at the prices on offer Shabangabang looks an excellent each way hope in this RB72 over 1200m after having no luck in a similar race last time.
The mare, prepared by Fran Houlahan and Brian Johnston, continues to race consistently and is worth another chance here.
Four starts back she ran on well over 1200m in tougher grade at Moonee Valley and finished a close up fourth, beaten only a length.
She then raced in this grade over 1100m at Kyneton and after sharing the lead fought off the challengers to draw to a length win.
Back to town over 1200m at Moonee Valley in open class she wasn't the best away and was hustled up wider to share the speed, before looming up on the turn.
From there she fought on well but the early effort told, finishing fifth but beaten only half a length in a blanket drive to the line.
Last start, again at Moonee Valley in this grade, the mare had a big weight and after copping a check at the start settled well back.
Held up in traffic around the bend she had to wait until the race was over before seeing daylight and getting home into ninth, beaten 3.7 lengths behind Reconcentrate.
Today the mare meets the same grade and same journey but drops in weight and may be better off drawn out a little.
She is a winner here and on her recent form looks a top each way chance at decent odds.
The Robbie Griffiths-trained Procida resumes and will appreciate this grade.
The mare raced in tougher grade throughout last campaign, placing second up over 1200m at Moonee Valley before finishing fifth on the Hillside course over 1400m.
She then tackled the Rivette Series Final at Flemington on Finals day over a mile and after settling last from an outside gate found the line well for a 2.8 length sixth behind Maraaseem.
Next start was over even further when to 1700m at Flemington, again drawing wide and running on into sixth.
Last start before a spell, backing up a week later over 1400m at Caulfield, she drew wide yet again and got back but swamped her rivals late with a three-quarter length win.
The big field and strong early pace will suit here and from gate two she should enjoy a good run buried back in the field.
She may need a shade of luck but will be motoring home at the finish.
The Rob Symon's trained Legion's Belle is worth another chance after some good recent runs.
The mare scored third up over 1400m at Tatura when leading throughout to score by more than three lengths.
She then raced over 1420m at Flemington and sat off the speed before working home well for a close up sixth.
She backs up quickly here over the shorter journey and with a nice weight should be running on strongly.
Louisville Dancer didn't have a lot of luck last time at Moonee Valley and in the same grade here is worth another chance.
Straveen has an excellent fresh up record and is nicely placed with the claim.
She should also be running on strongly.