Deane Lester’s Sandown Best Bets

Posted on May 1, 2020 | Posted by Deane Lester

RACE 2 NO.6 DUKE OF PLUMPTON

The Patrick Payne stable has been churning out the winners in recent weeks and DUKE OF PLUMPTON should continue that trend when he runs in the Benchmark 78 Handicap (1600m).

The four year old made his Australian debut with a powerful win over 1400 metres at Echuca on April 5. He will appreciate a step up in distance and his four wins to date have been on soft tracks so conditions will be in his favour. Billy Egan has come of age as a rider in the past six months and takes the mount on DUKE OF PLUMPTON who appeals as one of the better bets of the day.

RACE 3 NO.3 LUNAKORN

LUNAKORN is racing through the grades in great style and looks the one to beat again when she runs in the 3YO Fillies Handicap (1400m). The daughter of Puissance De Lune has won three on end, commencing with her maiden win at Pakenham before victories at Sandown and Bendigo. She is comfortable on wet ground and is building a strong rapport with elite rider Mark Zahra. The Anthony Freedman trained filly looks destined for stakes class racing and should prove too good for this field.

RACE 5 NO.12 HEZAFOX

The value runner on the program is HEZAFOX when he contests the 3YO Handicap (2100m). The son of Foxwedge has been drawing poorly in his races which has been detrimental to his winning chances but his form remains solid. He finished strongly to run 3rd over 2000 metres at Ballarat on April 21 and that form will be good enough for this contest. He is drawn to race closer to the pace and gets the benefit of Michael Poy’s 1.5kg claim which will be significant in the testing ground. He looks a progressive stayer with a great each way chance in this race.

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