Ladbrokes Park: January 17th Preview By Dean McHugh

Ladbrokes Park will host a seven race card on Wednesday, 17th January.

There are several interesting runners littered through the card, and as always, we will do our best to find you some excellent value. 

Read on to discover our tips for this Wednesday’s Ladbrokes Park card. 

Race 1 – Welcome to Sportsbet: Sandown Maiden Plate (1400m)

Wednesday’s Ladbrokes Park card kicks off with a competitive-looking maiden where a small field of eight has been declared. 

Much of the betting is expected to come down to Shiny New Deel and Yahoo Bar.

Shiny New Deel has just had one career start and was heavily backed on debut. Finishing third, he was only narrowly denied and will be hoping to build on that performance here. 

Yahoo Bar is another who has had just one start and he ran with real credit when finishing second. Beaten by only a neck, his connections will be hoping he can poke his head in front this time around. 

Race 2: Sportsbet Make It Look Easy (1300m)

Just six horses will line up for the second race of the day, and similar to the first race of the day, the pre-race betting is expected to come down to a duo of horses – Surprise Valley and Donegal.

Surprise Valley heads into the contest after a convincing victory when last seen at Yarra Valley. Dominating from start to finish, that win came on a heavy track. Conditions are set to be good for Wednesday’s racing, so she may not have it all her own way this time around. 

Donegal is a fascinating runner. Having won on debut, that performance came a whopping 31 weeks ago. Clearly a horse with ability, backers will hope that she arrives ready to race and won’t need this run to blow the cobwebs away. 

Race 3: Tobin Brothers Celebrating (1000m)

All eyes will be on Amigo in the third contest of the day, and he will start as the warm favourite. 

After several near misses, he finally broke his Maiden last time out when finishing strongly to land the spoils. He will be tough to beat once again. 

Hoping to serve it up to the favourite will be Pia Mia. A gate-to-wire winner in her last race, she will be hoping to dictate the pace and set the fractions. This will be her fourth career start, and she looks one to watch with real interest. 

Consideration should also be given to Halvar, who is another last time out winner. His victory at Warrnambool was impressive but came on a heavy surface. With better conditions expected, he may find one or two just a little too quick. 

(Ref) https://www.pexels.com/photo/jockey-racing-on-horse-16008179/ 

Race 4: Ive Handicap (3000m)

The longest race of Wednesday’s card comes in the Ive Handicap. Eleven horses have been declared, and it should be Omeo who will start as the favourite. 

A winner of just one of his seven career starts, he has now gone five races without a win and arrives with a few questions to answer. Although only able to finish fourth when last seen, he was only beaten by three lengths and should play a major part in this contest. 

Reddivo can be an expensive horse to follow, having just won two of his eighteen starts. However, the penny seems to have dropped of late, and he arrives with a serious chance. A winner of a similar race three starts ago, he ran well last time out when finishing second at Moonee Valley. Clearly thriving, he could be a decent selection at a price. 

At an even bigger price, it could be worth chancing Legatus. A winner of his last race, he saved his best for last to swoop late and bag the honours. Whilst this race is deeper, he arrives bang in form and could be capable of producing the upset. 

Race 5: Tile Importer Handicap (1400m)

A competitive field of ten will head down to post for the Tile Importer Handicap, with Another Wil set to start as the overwhelming favourite. 

Yet to finish out of the places in any of his four starts, he has won once and only just missed out last time around. 

Those looking to take him on can take comfort from the fact his last start came 24 weeks ago, and he may need the run. 

If you are looking to back another horse in the field, Magarten looks a worthy candidate. A consistent type, he has finished inside the top three in three of his last five starts but has just notched the one victory. 

Whilst he often finds one or two that are just a little better, he always gives his running and should do so once again. 

Race 6: Thoroughbred Club Australia (1800m)

One of the most competitive contests of the day comes in the sixth race of the day, where fourteen runners have been declared. 

Races of this nature are always hard to predict, and there are several runners who look to be in with a chance of victory. 

Aiming had a great start to her career when winning her first two races but has now gone five races without a victory. Slow starts have cost her recently, and her connections will hope she can break away with the rest of the field this time around.

Nishino Crescent has run well of late – recording one win and one third-place finish in his last three starts. While he doesn’t win often, his recent form lines are amongst the best in the contest, and he looks capable of making a bold bid for victory. 

Tahlequah is another who should warrant respect in the betting. A winner four starts back, she has been consistent of late and was unlucky not to have won when last seen. 

The likely pace angle of the race, if she has something left in the tank at the business end of the race, she will rate as a huge danger. 

Race 7: Sportsbet Bet with Mates (1300m)

The most competitive race of the day comes in the final race of the card, where fifteen horses will be vying for victory. 

Despite the deep field, Punch Lane will start as the one they will all need to beat and is likely to jump off at a short price. 

A winner of four of his first five career starts, he has won his last two races and is looking to complete the hat-trick. 

His win last time out was done in a dominant fashion, and if he can match that run here, he will take some serious stopping.

The most likely alternative to Punch Lane is Lang Park. A winner of three races, he certainly has the speed to contend, but a wide draw will certainly make things tougher.

If you are looking to back one at a price, then Intrepid Eagle could be the horse for you. 

A good winner when last seen, he has form to find with the principles, but he certainly isn’t without a hope.