Sportsbet Race Replays (Bm64)

With the rail in the True position, the track should play evenly, especially for a mid-week meeting. The inside section of the track will be fresh ground. This provides a distinct advantage to horses drawn low who possess enough tactical speed to hold their position, such as #2 Nearing Liberty and #9 Gallant Prince. They can save crucial ground on the turn, while those drawn wider are forced to cover more territory.

The Soft 5 rating indicates a surface with significant give. This will ensure a genuine test of stamina, especially with the predicted genuine pace. Horses that are forced to do work early, particularly those coming across from wide barriers, will be highly vulnerable in the latter stages. The conditions will favour horses proven on soft ground and those who have a strong fitness base. A strong tempo on this surface will bring closers into the race, as the leaders will find it difficult to sustain a high-pressure gallop to the line.

The 1400m start at Sandown-Lakeside provides a fair run of approximately 400m to the first turn. This gives horses with speed drawn wide, such as #5 Norwoods, a legitimate chance to cross and find a forward position without being posted wide immediately. However, it still requires a significant energy expenditure. The Lakeside circuit features a shorter home straight (407m) compared to the Hillside track, which can sometimes assist on-pace runners if the pace hasn't been overly taxing. A genuinely run 1400m here will still give those running on their chance.

As a Benchmark 64 handicap, this race features horses with relatively established racing patterns. The weight scale sees #2 Nearing Liberty carry the top weight of 61.5kg. On a Soft 5 track with genuine pace, this weight could become a telling factor in the final 200m. The engagement of senior jockeys like Jamie Kah, Daniel Stackhouse, and Billy Egan suggests tactical intent in a competitive race.