Expert form analyst The Watchdog has identified five value G1 RSN Sandown Cup (715m) contenders in TAB’s ‘All In’ market, including Jayville Slick ($101) and Desert Flame ($301). Four heats will be run on Thursday night with the final of the world’s premier distance race to be held on May 27.
“TAB has put up Zack Monelli as $2.50 early favourite – that’s rightly so,” The Watchdog said.
Zack Monelli, who has won 27 races from 50 starts, rounded off his Sandown Cup preparation with a flying 41.49sec win at Sandown Park last week. He won the G1 Galaxy at Cannington in Perth and is a six-time G1 finalist.
“He was brilliant last week… He’s won four on the spin over 715 metres – the first three at Cannington, one of them being the Galaxy.
“He’s so much stronger now. His first preparation, he got a little bit tired at The Meadows, but he’s come back a lot better this time around. So, everything points to him qualifying.
“Everything points to him; he’s flying at the moment and running 700 metres out. I just can’t see a way they’ll get past him in his heat and the final.”
Stanley Road is TAB’s second elect at $3.50. He’s won 14 races from 31 starts, including the G1 Fanta Bale Super Stayers at The Meadows and G1 Association Cup at Wentworth Park and is contesting his fourth G1 final.
But The Watchdog has some trepidation about the NSW staying sensation.
“He’s drawn box one in his heat and is going to get every chance, but I’m a little bit concerned that there’s so much early speed in this race. He might get a bit further back than he really wants.
“I know he’s a backmarker by trade; he does rely on a on a bit of luck. I think $3.50 for Stanley Road is under the odds.”
However, The Watchdog is feeling much more buoyant about Not Happening ($21).
“He comes up with the ‘red’ draw in his heat. I know he’s having his first start over the distance; we don’t know if he can run it out.
“He’s going to come into this nice and fresh. He gives every indication that this will suit. I think he represents a bit of value.”
WATCH: Zack Monelli (6) wins in dominant fashion at Sandown last Thursday clocking 41.49sec, around five lengths off the 715m track record.
Similarly, he’s bullish on the chances of NSW staying siren Maggie Moo Moo ($21).
“She comes up in the same heat as Not Happening. An advantage for her is there’s a bit of speed in Prim And Proper and Not Happening setting a bit of a tempo.
“She can sit of them. I think she’s a great chance of qualifying and represents some value.”
The Watchdog also regards Jayville Slick ($101), who has been campaigning in Perth.
“He comes into this having won three on the spin over 600 metres at Cannington. He’s racing with extreme confidence at the moment. I think he’s got to be respected.”
And he echoes the same sentiments with another “massive outsider”, Desert Flame ($301).
“She’s having her first start over the trip. I think, provided she can lead, her race pattern suggests the ‘700’ will suit.
“She’s got really good early speed. I think she can run a bit of a cheeky race and is one to respect at a little bit of odds. You just don’t know what you’re going to get with her.”
The Watchdog also had the ‘final word’ on TAB’s ‘All In’ favourite.
“Zack Monelli holds the key, he’s just a phenomenal greyhound. He’s on the way to stamping himself as probably one of the great stayers we’ve seen. He’s got his pawprints all over this one.”
“Everything points to him; he’s flying at the moment and running 700 metres out. I just can’t see a way they’ll get past him in his heat and the final.”
How the Watchdog would spend $50 in TAB’s ‘All In’ Sandown Cup market
- Zack Monelli $30 win @ $2.50
- Not Happening $7 win @ $21
- Maggie Moo Moo $7 win @ $21
- Jayville Slick $4 win @ $101
- Desert Flame $2 win @ $301
