Sale Turf Club rolls back into focus on Wednesday with a tidy eight-race programme set down.
We’re expecting ideal racing conditions — a Good 4 track, fine weather on the cards, and the rail pushed out 4m the entire circuit.
It shapes as a day where the punters could get a few on the board, with some well-found favourites lining up — including our best bet kicking things off in Race 1.
Keen to dive deeper? Check out our full race-by-race Sale Wednesday Preview for all the plays.
GOOD HARMONY (8) is one of the better bets on the program.
The Pierro filly is a seven-start maiden who has shown flashes at times, beaten four lengths fresh at Sandown last month and then stepping up sharply to the mile a few weeks later at Bendigo.
She was back in the run early that day from a horror gate, but came on well to finish midfield thanks to a well-timed steer. Gets in with 57kg again here and has finally drawn a low gate, so all things being equal, she looks set to peak now with a bit of fitness on her side.
| 8. Good Harmony (3) 57kg23×66 |
HOLDING CAPTIVE (2) is worth another look having gone down by the barest of margins on debut at Geelong a fortnight earlier.
The Zousain three-year-old was fast into stride under Ben Allen, leading up until the 50m mark where his conditioning gave way when conceding to Fiveminutewarning.
With a run under his belt over 1200m now and the wide gate likely offering him an early path to cross and lead, he should be just as tough to run down with another dry track expected.
| 2. Holding Captive (8)SCRATCHED: | |||
FATTY FINN (3) strikes a very winnable race third-up for Charlotte Littlefield and connections.
This lightly-raced three-year-old only found his top gear over the final 100m or so at Pakenham last start, finishing a comfortable 2.5 lengths off after shifting out to find the centre of the straight.
The heavy track conditions and the fact he raced a little keen in the early stages played a big part, so if Zac Spain can get him to switch off now back on top of the ground, there really won’t be any excuses.
| 3. Fatty Finn (3) 59kg72 |
MAD ABOUT MAGNUS (9) is on debut for the Hayes boys after changing hands from the Mitch Freedman camp.
Her two jump outs over the last few weeks have really caught the eye, the latest coming at Pakenham where she was caught wide and quickened smartly to find the front, opening up a big gap of more than three lengths when crossing the line in front.
She’ll likely look to adopt similar tactics from the low gate and remains in the very capable and red-hot hands of Ben Allen.
| 9. Mad About Magnus (3) 57kg |
FRESHEN (7) is a definite each-way play resuming for Peter Gelagotis.
This filly by Written Tycoon found the front and made every post a winner on debut at Moe last November, putting a small field away by three-quarters of a length with Craig Newitt in the saddle.
The pair combine again on Wednesday and there was just as much to like about her recent trial at Caulfield Heath where she was fast into stride, fighting all the way through the line to run second.
Drawn well and carrying only 56kg, she’ll be hard to catch.
| 7. Freshen (2) 56kg1x |
RADICAL DUDE (5) was sent around at very short odds on debut at Cranbourne two weeks ago, duly saluting by a solid 3.5 length margin.
This is tougher again for the son of Farnan up to BM62 grade, but he should have no trouble rolling to the front under Beau Mertens with the wide gate offering the pair every opportunity to dictate up on the speed.
Eased up approaching the line last time out, this looks a very winnable assignment for the promising Freedman-trained three-year-old.
| 5. Radical Dude (8)SCRATCHED: | |||
AXIOM (7) is bursting to win another race for Gavin Bedggood.
The lightly-raced Exceedance gelding went down in a photo finish after storming home out wide at Pakenham last start, giving his stablemate Yamashita’s Gold a real scare right on the line.
Where he winds up from the inside barrier is a fair question, while his only attempt over this distance range three back at Pakenham also left a bit to be desired. Even so, he’s seemingly turned a corner over his last two starts and is worth backing on his most recent run.
| 7. Axiom (1) 58kgx3962 |
SABI STORM (1) is worth forgiving on his first-up effort at Pakenham just under a month ago.
The Busuttin and Young-trained gelding laid in under pressure after dropping back to second last out of the gates, finishing midfield and 2.5 lengths off the winner.
He was sent around in a couple of Stakes races during the spring mind you, so the stable clearly have a bit of an opinion on him.
He’s got big weight to carry again here, but if Beau Mertens gives him more of a positive ride this time, he might show a little more with the rise in trip also suiting.
| 1. Sabi Storm (7) 60kg108×6 |