Horse Racing Tips for Futurity Stakes and Oakleigh Plate 2023

Sandown hosts a rare double Group 1 feature day this week, with an outstanding card that has thrown up plenty of angles for punters.

Both features, the Futurity Stakes and Oakleigh Plate, have stacked fields and attracted the best of the best.

In the Weight-For Age Futurity all eyes will be on likely leader Alligator Blood and noted back-marker I'm Thunderstruck. Will they allow "The Blood" a cheap lead?

Whilst in the Group 1 Sprint feature, the Oakleigh Plate appears wide-open, with tactics and race pressure sure to play an important role.

I'm with one at good odds who looks like a potential star of the future.

 

Track Conditions

The Sandown track is currently rated a Good 4 with the rail in the True position for the entire circuit.

Fine conditions are predicted for the remainder of the week, with some showers on Saturday.

Sandown Lakeside circuit does tend to favour those racing forward of midfield, however the chute races typically give all positions in-run their chance.

 

Sandown Race 8 - Futurity Stakes 1400m (Group 1 WFA)

The Map

Alligator Blood (4) will press forward and find the top with Mr Brightside (5) likely to also go forward to sit outside the leader.

Nugget (2) and Mr Mozart (1) are both expected to punch up in an attempt to hold forward positions and should sit behind the leading pair.

Race favourite I'm Thunderstruck (3) may be ridden closer, however the small field is most likely to be in the last pair, which won't be too far off the leaders in this race.

 

The Favourite

I'm Thunderstruck ($3.40) has the negative racing pattern and will need to be "on his bike" at exactly the right time to be reeling in the leaders here.

The stable has openly declared they want him ridden more positively this campaign, however with a small field engaged in this race, those tactics may be shelved.

He is certainly a high-risk proposition here if they slow down mid-race and sprint hard off the front.

 

Futurity Best Bets

I'm happy to be with Alligator Blood who is from a gun first-up camp and should be primed to perform well here early in the campaign.

He could simply get a picnic out in front and has a lethal kick at the end if allowed to roll at his own tempo.

It will take a very smart one to get past him.

 

Nugget comes out of the C.F. Orr where he finished a close-up 3rd to prove he is a genuine Group 1 horse.

He gets the suck run here just in behind and will still be close enough to attack when the sprint goes on.

He is an emerging star, who is largely untapped at this stage of his career.

Value.

 

Mr Brightside was clearly not suited by the wide draw and race shape here last start in the CF Orr.

He should be able to sit outside the leader here, and if they can reel off a few cheap sectionals he has the ability to sprint hard.

 

I'm Thunderstruck is clearly talented however is likely to again be a victim of his rearward racing style.

They are unlikely to bust him to hold a position in the small field, and by the time the leaders are off and gone I doubt he can reel them in.

However, if another runner does attack Alligator Blood and inject some tempo, he will be charging late.

 

1st Alligator Blood

2nd Nugget

3rd Mr Brightside

4th I'm Thunderstrck

 

Sandown Race 9 - Oakleigh Plate 1100m (Group 1 Handicap)

 

The Map

As is normally the case for a high-profile Group 1 Sprint, they will go warp speed tempo early.

Asfoora (6) is likely to be the one to rush forward and lead with heavy pressure from Zoustyle (20), Oxley Road (18) and The Astrologist (13).

The second wave should include Uncommon James (14), I Am Me (1) and Marine One (5) who can all tuck in, just behind the breakneck tempo.

Masked Crusader (16), Lofty Strike (11) and King Of Sparta (3) are the noted back-markers who may appreciate the hot speed, with all possessing the ability to get home hard over top.

 

The Favourite

Asfoora ($6.50) is highly talented however this is her first try in the "big league" of Group 1 level.

With this being her biggest test to date I'm inclined to risk her on this occasion and prefer others.

They will attempt to press forward to hold a position on or near the lead, however over the 1100m scamper this is easier said than done.

 

Oakleigh Best Bets

I'm with Uncommon James who showed excellent ability last preparation (won 3 straight including the Regal Roller) and has since returned in great order.

He was excellent first up here in the Rubiton Stakes, when trucked into it in the manner of a very good horse to place a close up 2 of 12.

Yes.

 

King Of Sparta was backed as if unbeatable last start ($2.40 into $1.80) at the Gold Coast and won accordingly.

The savage move in betting suggests the horse is showing them plenty at home, and if he has held form he should be a genuine threat here.

 

Marine One has plenty of ability and appeared ready to go first up here in the Rubiton (4 of 12) when the money was there to suggest he would run well.

He looks great value to my eye, and the stable would not be entering him at this level unless they believed he was a significant winning chance.

He's one that can surprise a few of the big guns. Huge odds!

 

I Am Me is another top-quality Maher/Eustace sprinter who has been carefully placed all the way through.

She looks well above average and is largely untapped with no appearances at any Group level so far in her career.

The market may take her on considering she is well up in grade, however she is up to this class.

Include.

 

1st Uncommon James

2nd King Of Sparta

3rd Marine One

4th I Am Me

There are loads of tips for today's racing in our Horse Racing Tips market at thegreattipoff.com.