2015 Group 2 Laurels semi-final tips and best odds
FOUR semi-finals of the Group 2 Laurels Classic (515 metres) will be run at Sandown Park on Sunday afternoon featuring some of the most exciting young bitches in training.
The favourites for the $50,000-to-the-winner series are It's All Talk and Fantastic Skye which are both $3.50 with Bet365 to take out the final on December 17. Both bitches were emphatic heat winners last week, with Fantastic Skye setting the time standard when clocking a slick 29.47. The Kel Greenough-trained bitch, a winner of her past five starts, looks hard to stop in her semi this week where she has drawn box two in race five.
It's All Talk continued the undefeated start to her career in the final heat last Sunday, making it six from six when scoring in 29.57. She will jump from box five in race eight, set to jump at 4:27pm AEDT.
Also right in contention for the overall series win is South Australian chaser She's A Looper ($5.50), while the ultra-consistent Polijuice Potion is next in the market at $6.50 with Bet365.
The first semi-final of the Group 2 Laurels Classic is race five at Sandown Park this Sunday and is set to jump at 3:34pm AEDT.
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1st: $6,260 2nd: $1,790 3rd: $890.
No.NameFormBestTrainer
Fantastic Skye ($1.55 with Bet365) is an exciting NSW chaser and she has strung together three brilliant Sandown Park wins. On each occasion she has shown great early speed and she never really looked in doubt. Last week she fired to the top and she was able to post the fastest of the day in 29.47. With limited speed drawn around her, she should be able to find the early lead again and she should prove far too good for her rivals.
Integrity Sal ($5.50) can be a little hard to follow at times but there is no doubting that she has plenty of talent. Last week she was posted wide throughout and never really got a chance. From the red this week she should be able to settle closer to the lead and she might be able to test the favourite.
Fairy Pretty ($9) must be respected, she doesn't have the profile of some of the stronger chasers but she has turned in some terrific performances of late.
My Regina ($10) rounds out the chances, she can show early speed at times and she will be very strong in the run to the line.
Top Four: 2 – 1 – 4 – 8
1st: $6,260 2nd: $1,790 3rd: $890.
No.NameFormBestTrainer
Sweet Barbados ($4.50) had struggled in her two runs from spell, however last week she showed a heap of improvement with a strong placing in very fast time. If she can reproduce her 5.03 sectional from last time, she should be in the top two at the first bend and I would expect her to take over mid race. Her last 30 metres isn't great but she should have a nice lead as they turn for home and I think that should be enough for her to score.
Star Torana ($5.50) is a talented NSW speedster and she will get a nice cart across from the five in the run to the first bend. She likes to track wide in her races with a slow beginner on her outside she should be afforded a clear passage in the initial stages.
Keune ($3.60) is a gun Tasmanian chaser and although she was disappointing here last week, she should be able to make amends. The pace on her outside is a concern but if she can get balanced she should be able to make an impact.
Ima Misha Doll ($3.60) and Skate Thin Ice ($7) round out the chances. I'm a fan of the pink but she is desperate for the inside.
Top Four: 5 – 6 – 3 – 8
1st: $6,260 2nd: $1,790 3rd: $890.
No.NameFormBestTrainer
She's A Looper ($2.20 with Bet365) is an excitement machine and she really caught the eye with a sizzling 29.50 win here last week. She would have derived a lot of benefit from that run and with a trouble free run I think she can get down to the 29.30 mark. If she can produce that type of run she should be winning and winning quite easily.
Polijuice Potion ($2.80) is racing in career best form and she has scored some powerful wins in recent weeks. She is probably better suited to the 600 metre trip but she can show speed in her races and I think she can balance up in the top three. I'm hoping she qualifies for the final and can draw a box as I think she can win the final at nice odds.
Zipping Zali ($41) has only had the four starts but she appears to be getting better with every run and she will be very strong in the run home. I don't think she can win but she can definitely sneak into the placings.
Top Four: 1 – 6 – 5 – 3
1st: $6,260 2nd: $1,790 3rd: $890.
No.NameFormBestTrainer
It's All Talk ($1.65) is unbeaten in her six starts to date and she reeled off breathtaking sectionals when having her first look at the track last week. If she does everything right at box rise she should fire to the early lead and I would expect her to hit the line a little better, so she should get down to around the 29.45 mark. She will be short but she should be winning.
Penelopes Cruzin ($4.80) is talented when on song and from the red she should be settling in the top two or three as they head for the back straight. The last 40 metres isn't great but she should have enough in the tank for a top three finish.
Mafalda Hopkirk ($12) is drawn to get a nice sit just behind the pace and she will hit the line solidly. She might get too far back to score but she is a must for your exotic bets.
Sausage Sizzle ($12) is still learning the caper but she is an improving type and she will continue to get better. She has been missing the kick in recent times but I think she will improve her box manners and she could run a big race at odds.
Top Four: 5 – 1 – 2 – 4