Betting Tips: Early Market Movers at Randwick & Sandown 5/9/26

This week, the early betting action again provides us with a key market guide to the chances of several runners at both major venues.

At Sandown, a fascinating runner from a lesser-known stable has again been heavily supported despite being thrown significantly up in grade, which makes the move particularly interesting.

Whilst at Randwick, even though J Mac has jumped off one due to prior commitments, this particular three-year-old filly has still been heavily backed. That is an excellent sign in itself!

 

 

 

Cignetti

Blake Shinn riding for the Busuttin/Young yard is simply lethal, especially when the money arrives, which it certainly has here.

Shinn rode this horse first-up to secure the win, so there are no secrets anymore.

Rest assured Blake would have been keeping close tabs on him since and is likely to have given the stable a glowing report based on the feel he got from the horse.

The fact they are prepared to attack Saturday grade again suggests the stable believes there is plenty more to come.

Trust the gun rider knows exactly what he has underneath him here and he should be extremely hard to beat again.

 

Celestial Zara

Is progressing through the grades beautifully and comes here searching for a hat-trick of wins to start the preparation.

Granted, this is another step up into Benchmark 74 company, but the authority of her recent victories suggests she thoroughly deserves the opportunity.

From the soft draw in gate 4, Jamie Mott has plenty of options.

With her natural tactical speed, I expect them to be positive and potentially take control from the front.

If she gets things her own way early, it will take a good one to run past her.

 

Mainmankash

Fascinating runner from a lesser-known stable who the market simply loves again.

It generally takes plenty of respected money to create this sort of move around a horse coming from outside the higher-profile yards, so the early support has to be respected.

The market was spot-on at Sale last start when he was also heavily backed before absolutely destroying them by more than five lengths.

This is clearly much harder, but the money suggests connections believe he can make the jump.

Another dominant performance here could quickly establish him as a horse worth following into better races during the Spring.

 

Ghana’s Akan

Was smashed in betting from $3.60 into $2.50 here on the Lakeside circuit last start, when the Maher camp clearly knew they had her flying.

She only just missed on that occasion when finishing second of 10 in a tough performance where she never shirked the task.

The key now is fitness. With another run under the belt, they can afford to be even more aggressive early and secure the ideal position in running.

If she gets that economical trip, expect her to be one of the strongest late. Yes.

 

 

Scillato

Matthew Smith has always been highly regarded, but his recent success has further exposed him as one of the shrewdest trainers going around.

He trains for a number of big-time owners and knows exactly how to place his horses to keep those connections winning and reinvesting in quality stock.

This mare did enough first-up at Warwick Farm when finishing sixth of 12 despite being held up and never seeing clear air at vital stages.

With that fitness builder behind her and hopefully a cleaner passage this time, she profiles as the big improver.

 

Fernao

Has earned the trip south from the Archibald Queensland base, which is an excellent lead in itself and suggests the stable believes the horse is flying.

He has finished runner-up at his past three starts and continues to knock on the door, with his consistency suggesting he is ready to break through.

Now rock-hard fit after plenty of recent racing, the rise to 2400m could be exactly what he is looking for.

It gives him plenty of time to stoke up from a long way out and turn this into a genuine staying contest. Expect him to be one of the strongest through the line. Yes.

 

Pembrey

Gun three-year-old filly who I suspect J Mac would have been very keen to stick with if not for his prior commitments to the powerful Coolmore operation.

She was breathtaking first-up at Randwick, taking control from the front before putting her rivals away with ease.

Tony Gollan knew he had the right horse to bring to Sydney for that first-up assignment and the result justified the confidence.

This is undoubtedly harder, but she should have taken significant improvement from that run. The fact the money has continued despite J Mac coming off is an extremely positive sign.

She can win again!

 

The Mona Lisa

Very well named and absolutely flying in preparation, having won three of her past four starts.

Her racing pattern looks ideally suited to this contest, with plenty of speed engaged elsewhere allowing her to sit back, smoke the pipe and allow the leaders to cut each other up.

She should be building through her gears approaching the turn before getting to the outside and unleashing.

Look for her sailing down the middle of Randwick over the final 200m, where she could simply pick them all up and race away.

 

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