Sandown Park Race 11

Onthestraight.com.au

Prize Money: $8,785

SO HE THINKS (3) has some solid form under his belt and proved too strong last time to win by 7 lengths at this track in a handy 34.18 beating Tiger Rocks. Boasts two wins from four starts out of this box. Form reads well for this. BLANKET GAME (7) has been in the minors the last two, the latest showing strong pace early but gathered in and finished a 5 length third over 390m Ballarat in 22.20. Well-placed to take this out. PAW VARNA (8) well back settling but did wind up strongly to finish 4th and beaten only 1.5 lengths (30.05) at this track. Key player if finds best. OLIVER KELTON (2) collected a minor prize last start and must be considered.

Distance: 515m
Class: Grade 5
Track: Good
Weather: Showers
Surface: All Weather

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Black Thumb (1) 5183452553
Trainer: Jye Formosa (Heathcote)
Prize Money: $38,470
Win / Place: 20% / 40%

4 yo Black B

Sire: BERNARDO (AUS)

Dam: MANILA ROSE (AUS)

Rating

Stats

Career

59: 12-5-7

Track

14: 2-1-2

Trk/Dst

11: 1-1-1

Distance

11: 1-1-1

Season

34: 7-4-3

Metro

45: 5-3-6

Country

14: 7-2-1

1st Up

3: 1-0-0

2nd Up

3: 1-0-1

Winning Distances
<400	400+	500+	600+	700+
0	4	8	0	0

Box History	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
STARTS	6	4	7	10	14	2	10	6
1st	2	0	3	4	2	0	1	0
2nd	1	2	0	0	1	0	0	1
3rd	1	0	0	2	0	0	3	1

Comments

Hit the frame latest (34.93) when third at this track in a Grade 5. Has two successes and two minors from six starts from box 1. Will need the right run.

Expected Early Speed:Midfield

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Box	Ran	Avg. Speed	Margin	SP	Win Time	BON	Class	Prize	Prize Won	Days	Result
3rd of 4	25/6/26	Sandown	595m	8	0:34.93	61.3 km/h	2.3L	$26	0:34.77	0:33.99	GR 5	$10,100	$1,050	26	1. Motor City Rossi 2. Mepunga Shadow 3. Black Thumb
5th of 8	30/5/26	The Meadows	600m	5	0:35.73	60.5 km/h	3.4L	$13	0:35.50	0:34.60	GR 5	$10,100	-	7	1. Urana Taurus 2. Belair Crown 3. Goblin
5th of 8	23/5/26	The Meadows	600m	8	0:35.25	61.3 km/h	5.0L	$8.00	0:34.90	0:34.21	GR 5	$10,100	-	7	1. Magic Scotch 2. Wyong Houston 3. Belair Crown
2nd of 8	16/5/26	The Meadows	600m	2	0:34.92	61.9 km/h	1.8L	$7.00	0:34.80	0:34.34	GR 5	$10,100	$2,095	7	1. Handsome Ratio 2. Black Thumb 3. Wyong Houston
5th of 6	9/5/26	The Meadows	525m	8	0:30.74	61.5 km/h	5.5L	$26	0:30.36	0:29.79	GR 5	$8,790	-	10	1. Hartland Willow 2. Paw Phelps 3. Papa Easy
4th of 6	29/4/26	The Meadows	600m	2	0:34.87	61.9 km/h	5.0L	$31	0:34.53	0:34.53	GR 4/5	$4,510	$75	7	1. Nigel Devere 2. Gorringe 3. Handsome Ratio

Oliver Kelton (2) 3615564312
Trainer: Barry Toner (Bunyip)
Prize Money: $28,085
Win / Place: 18% / 58%

4 yo Black D

Sire: SHIMA SHINE (AUS)

Dam: ITA LOUISA (AUS)

Rating

Stats

Career

43: 8-9-8

Track

5: 0-1-1

Trk/Dst

5: 0-1-1

Distance

5: 0-1-1

Season

25: 3-6-6

Metro

5: 0-1-1

Country

38: 8-8-7

1st Up

4: 2-1-0

2nd Up

4: 0-2-0

Winning Distances
<400	400+	500+	600+	700+
2	6	0	0	0

Box History	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
STARTS	6	6	3	8	7	3	5	5
1st	2	1	0	3	1	0	1	0
2nd	3	3	1	0	1	0	1	0
3rd	0	1	2	1	3	0	1	0

Comments

Won two starts back after racing on the pace at Traralgon over 425m in 24.18. Followed that up with a minor placing over 515m at this track at Grade 5 a week ago. In form and another win would not surprise.

Expected Early Speed:Midfield

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Box	Ran	Avg. Speed	Margin	SP	Win Time	BON	Class	Prize	Prize Won	Days	Result
2nd of 8	25/6/26	Sandown	515m	1	0:30.12	61.6 km/h	5.5L	$3.10	0:29.74	0:29.43	GR 5	$8,790	$1,820	6	1. Elijah Rose 2. Oliver Kelton 3. Blue Trombone
1st of 7	19/6/26	Traralgon	425m	4	0:24.18	63.3 km/h	2.3L	$3.10	0:24.18	0:23.76	GR 5	$2,930	$1,950	5	1. Oliver Kelton 2. Sweet Trilby 3. Dr. Ulma
3rd of 7	14/6/26	Sale	510m	4	0:29.15	63.0 km/h	3.8L	$11	0:28.89	0:28.81	GR 4/5	$3,880	$400	5	1. Trendy Art 2. Scout Ace 3. Oliver Kelton
4th of 7	9/6/26	Warragul	400m	2	0:22.89	62.9 km/h	3.1L	$5.00	0:22.67	0:22.62	GR 5	$2,930	$75	9	1. Righteous Fury 2. Paw Kristelle 3. Whisky Point
6th of 8	31/5/26	Sale	510m	7	0:29.26	62.7 km/h	3.5L	$18	0:29.04	0:28.96	GR 4/5	$3,880	-	7	1. He Shines 2. Jumbuk Sachin 3. Elle Gem
5th of 6	24/5/26	Sale	510m	4	0:29.13	63.0 km/h	6.3L	$6.00	0:28.70	0:28.54	GR 5 H	$3,340	-	9	1. Always Share 2. Elijah Rose 3. Hey Presto

So He Thinks (3) 1635143431
Trainer: Stefano Cassar (Creswick)
Prize Money: $15,975
Win / Place: 27% / 59%

Box Specialist

Last Start Winner from Box

2 yo Black D

Sire: FERAL FRANKY (AUS)

Dam: DEEP DIVE (AUS)

100

Rating

Stats

Career

22: 6-0-7

Track

7: 2-0-2

Trk/Dst

5: 1-0-1

Distance

5: 1-0-1

Season

22: 6-0-7

Metro

14: 3-0-5

Country

8: 3-0-2

1st Up

1: 0-0-1

2nd Up

1: 0-0-0

Winning Distances
<400	400+	500+	600+	700+
0	1	5	0	0

Box History	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
STARTS	2	2	4	2	3	2	4	3
1st	1	0	2	0	1	0	1	1
2nd	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
3rd	0	0	0	1	1	0	3	2

Comments

Effortless winner showing plenty of speed to post a big 7 lengths victory in a Grade 5 last start at this track, clocking a solid 34.18 over the 595m trip. Has the ability and looks a key chance again.

Expected Early Speed:Front Runner

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Box	Ran	Avg. Speed	Margin	SP	Win Time	BON	Class	Prize	Prize Won	Days	Result
1st of 7	22/6/26	Sandown	595m	3	0:34.18	62.7 km/h	7.5L	$2.20	0:34.18	0:34.18	GR 5	$4,030	$2,640	7	1. So He Thinks 2. Tiger Rocks 3. Hey Presto
3rd of 6	15/6/26	Sandown	595m	7	0:34.72	61.7 km/h	1.0L	$6.00	0:34.66	0:34.41	GR 5	$4,000	$410	19	1. Mepunga Phantom 2. Midnight Phantom 3. So He Thinks
4th of 7	27/5/26	Ballarat	545m	6	0:31.36	62.6 km/h	8.3L	$4.60	0:30.78	0:30.78	GR 4/5	$3,880	$75	8	1. Overland Boy 2. Reuben Hill 3. He Shines
3rd of 8	19/5/26	Horsham	485m	5	0:27.69	63.1 km/h	5.0L	$8.00	0:27.34	0:27.28	GR 5	$3,340	$345	38	1. Paw Jasta 2. Paw Lampades 3. So He Thinks
38 Day Freshen-Up
99th of 1	13/5/26	Bendigo	425m	5	N/A	-	-	$0.00			Trial	$0	-	-	1. 99-So He Thinks 2. 3.
4th of 8	11/4/26	The Meadows	525m	2	0:30.92	61.1 km/h	6.3L	$3.40	0:30.48	0:30.04	GR 5	$8,790	$150	10	1. Mepunga Brockie 2. Zelda Braga 3. Cloncurry Gold

Moraine Bluey (4) 7331721226
Trainer: Briana Robertson-Leech (Smeaton)
Prize Money: $11,670
Win / Place: 24% / 51%

2 yo BLU D

Sire: FERDINAND BOY (AUS)

Dam: MEPUNGA REMI (AUS)

Rating

Stats

Career

29: 7-6-2

Track

5: 0-3-0

Trk/Dst

5: 0-3-0

Distance

5: 0-3-0

Season

29: 7-6-2

Metro

5: 0-3-0

Country

24: 7-3-2

1st Up

1: 0-0-0

2nd Up

1: 0-0-0

Winning Distances
<400	400+	500+	600+	700+
0	6	1	0	0

Box History	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
STARTS	6	3	3	4	1	4	5	3
1st	1	1	1	1	1	1	0	1
2nd	1	0	0	0	0	2	2	1
3rd	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	0

Comments

Finished sixth last start at this track but prior to that had been racing consistently. Awkwardly drawn and looks safely held.

Expected Early Speed:Backmarker

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Box	Ran	Avg. Speed	Margin	SP	Win Time	BON	Class	Prize	Prize Won	Days	Result
6th of 7	22/6/26	Sandown	515m	7	0:30.69	60.4 km/h	11.9L	$31	0:29.86	0:29.58	GR 5	$3,430	$30	7	1. Mepunga Flyer 2. Mepunga Lilly 3. Oklahoma Bale
2nd of 6	15/6/26	Sandown	515m	6	0:29.91	62.0 km/h	0.8L	$34	0:29.87	0:29.35	GR 5	$3,430	$690	7	1. Mepunga Whiskey 2. Moraine Bluey 3. Full Noise
2nd of 8	8/6/26	Sandown	515m	8	0:30.05	61.7 km/h	0.3L	$20	0:30.03	0:29.39	GR 5	$3,460	$690	10	1. Paw Missy 2. Moraine Bluey 3. Tommy The Hood
1st of 8	29/5/26	Bendigo	425m	1	0:24.20	63.2 km/h	1.2L	$4.00	0:24.20	0:23.59	GR 5	$2,930	$1,950	4	1. Moraine Bluey 2. City Limit 3. Moraine Leah
2nd of 8	25/5/26	Sandown	515m	7	0:30.31	61.2 km/h	3.9L	$12	0:30.04	0:29.45	GR 5 NP	$3,460	$690	5	1. Bengal Beast 2. Moraine Bluey 3. Sit And Steer
7th of 8	20/5/26	Ballarat	450m	4	0:26.43	61.3 km/h	17.0L	$35	0:25.24	0:25.02	GR 4/5	$3,360	-	9	1. Ultimate Warrior 2. Paw Cornelius 3. Aston Reeves

Aston Finniss (6) x621181147
Trainer: Danielle Keane (Koroit)
Prize Money: $12,720
Win / Place: 25% / 50%

3 yo WH/Black B

Sire: FERNANDO BALE (AUS)

Dam: ASTON RHONE (AUS)

Rating

Stats

Career

36: 9-5-4

Season

21: 6-3-0

Metro

2: 0-1-1

Country

34: 9-4-3

1st Up

3: 0-1-0

2nd Up

3: 0-1-1

Winning Distances
<400	400+	500+	600+	700+
6	3	0	0	0

Box History	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
STARTS	4	7	7	3	4	4	2	5
1st	1	4	1	1	0	1	0	1
2nd	1	1	0	0	1	0	1	1
3rd	0	0	2	0	0	1	0	1

Comments

Poor last start but ran a better race two back when fourth over 450m at Warrnambool. Happy enough to avoid.

Expected Early Speed:Front Runner

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Box	Ran	Avg. Speed	Margin	SP	Win Time	BON	Class	Prize	Prize Won	Days	Result
7th of 7	25/6/26	Warrnambool	450m	4	0:26.00	62.3 km/h	8.5L	$81	0:25.41	0:25.41	GR 4/5	$3,360	-	7	1. Paw Sapphire 2. She's Primed 3. Contradiction
4th of 8	18/6/26	Warrnambool	450m	3	0:25.76	62.9 km/h	4.3L	$26	0:25.48	0:25.19	GR 5	$2,930	$75	7	1. Air Speed 2. Bindy Blazer 3. Paw Oakley
1st of 7	11/6/26	Warrnambool	390m	3	0:22.27	63.0 km/h	0.3L	$2.60	0:22.27	0:21.77	GR 5	$2,930	$1,950	3	1. Aston Finniss 2. Bush Profit 3. Gold Stripes
1st of 8	8/6/26	Warrnambool	390m	2	0:22.09	63.6 km/h	3.0L	$3.20	0:22.09	0:22.01	Bottom Up - Grade 5	$1,530	$1,000	5	1. Aston Finniss 2. Ocean Gold 3. Collective Kaos
8th of 8	3/6/26	Ballarat	390m	3	0:23.21	60.5 km/h	11.0L	$3.10	0:22.45	0:21.95	GR 5 H NP	$2,930	-	16	1. Major Wait 2. Argyle Emma 3. Inga Johnny
1st of 8	18/5/26	Warrnambool	390m	6	0:22.15	63.4 km/h	2.5L	$1.50	0:22.15	0:22.08	Bottom Up - Grade 5	$1,530	$1,000	7	1. Aston Finniss 2. Aston Excess 3. Lilly's Wish

Blanket Game (7) 4752353133
Trainer: Peter Inguanti (Camperdown)
Prize Money: $16,510
Win / Place: 18% / 60%

2 yo BDL D

Sire: AUSSIE INFRARED (AUS)

Dam: BEAUTIFUL TEASE (AUS)

Rating

Stats

Career

33: 6-6-8

Season

32: 6-6-8

Metro

6: 0-1-0

Country

27: 6-5-8

1st Up

2: 0-0-0

2nd Up

2: 1-0-0

Winning Distances
<400	400+	500+	600+	700+
0	6	0	0	0

Box History	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
STARTS	4	3	5	6	2	8	2	3
1st	2	0	0	2	1	0	0	1
2nd	1	1	1	1	0	2	0	0
3rd	1	2	2	2	0	1	0	0

Comments

Has been in the minors the last two, the latest showing strong pace early but gathered in and finished a 5 length third over 390m Ballarat in 22.20. Coming out of a very strong form race. Expected to go well.

Expected Early Speed:Midfield

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Box	Ran	Avg. Speed	Margin	SP	Win Time	BON	Class	Prize	Prize Won	Days	Result
3rd of 7	24/6/26	Ballarat	390m	3	0:22.20	63.2 km/h	5.1L	$4.20	0:21.84	0:21.84	GR 5	$2,930	$300	5	1. Moyarra Kongk 2. Find The Sun 3. Blanket Game
3rd of 8	19/6/26	Bendigo	500m	2	0:28.28	63.6 km/h	2.3L	$3.10	0:28.13	0:28.13	GR 4/5	$3,880	$400	8	1. Kraken Tommy 2. Hartland Willow 3. Blanket Game
1st of 8	11/6/26	Warrnambool	450m	4	0:25.53	63.5 km/h	0.5L	$3.80	0:25.53	0:25.43	GR 5	$2,930	$1,950	7	1. Blanket Game 2. Kaelix Comet 3. Lektra Skip
3rd of 8	4/6/26	Warrnambool	450m	4	0:25.89	62.6 km/h	5.3L	$8.50	0:25.52	0:25.52	GR 4/5	$3,360	$345	7	1. Nova Owen 2. Air Speed 3. Blanket Game
5th of 8	28/5/26	Warrnambool	450m	6	0:25.87	62.6 km/h	5.3L	$3.60	0:25.51	0:25.35	GR 5	$2,930	-	7	1. Rivers Meet 2. Paw Missy 3. Barooga King
3rd of 5	21/5/26	Warrnambool	450m	2	0:25.42	63.7 km/h	2.3L	$8.00	0:25.27	0:25.27	GR 4/5	$3,360	$345	7	1. Springer's Boy 2. Paw Estrella 3. Blanket Game

Paw Varna (8) 3723431424
Trainer: Luke Harris (Lara)
Prize Money: $18,905
Win / Place: 17% / 56%

2 yo DK BDL B

Sire: CHRISTO BALE (AUS)

Dam: IYLEE BALE (AUS)

Rating

Stats

Career

39: 7-7-8

Track

1: 0-0-0

Trk/Dst

1: 0-0-0

Distance

1: 0-0-0

Season

39: 7-7-8

Metro

1: 0-0-0

Country

38: 7-7-8

1st Up

2: 0-0-0

2nd Up

2: 0-0-0

Winning Distances
<400	400+	500+	600+	700+
4	3	0	0	0

Box History	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
STARTS	4	3	6	8	3	5	5	5
1st	2	1	0	2	0	1	0	1
2nd	0	1	2	0	1	2	0	1
3rd	2	0	3	1	1	0	1	0

Comments

Could only manage fourth last time but the start prior hit the frame at double figure odds when second (25.62) over 450m at Shepparton. Has a wide draw to navigate but is in the mix.

Expected Early Speed:Backmarker

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Box	Ran	Avg. Speed	Margin	SP	Win Time	BON	Class	Prize	Prize Won	Days	Result
4th of 7	25/6/26	Sandown	515m	2	0:30.05	61.7 km/h	1.5L	$11	0:29.94	0:29.43	GR 5	$8,790	$150	3	1. Paw Winkworth 2. Mepunga Turbo 3. Paw Missy
2nd of 8	22/6/26	Shepparton	450m	6	0:25.62	63.2 km/h	1.5L	$13	0:25.52	0:24.99	GR 5	$2,930	$600	5	1. Paw Fable 2. Paw Varna 3. Paw Danger
4th of 8	17/6/26	Ballarat	390m	8	0:22.32	62.9 km/h	4.3L	$20	0:22.02	0:21.80	GR 4/5	$3,360	$75	5	1. Black Business 2. Western's Nasiah 3. Fluent Action
1st of 8	12/6/26	Geelong	400m	1	0:22.62	63.7 km/h	1.5L	$3.60	0:22.62	0:22.36	GR 5	$2,930	$1,950	3	1. Paw Varna 2. Starship Atlas 3. Paw Uma
3rd of 8	9/6/26	Horsham	410m	4	0:23.45	62.9 km/h	3.1L	$13	0:23.24	0:23.00	GR 5	$2,930	$300	8	1. Paw Elodee 2. Patriot Niamh 3. Paw Varna
4th of 8	1/6/26	Shepparton	450m	6	0:26.05	62.2 km/h	3.7L	$3.90	0:25.79	0:25.37	GR 5	$2,930	$75	6	1. Argyle Whiskey 2. Ascend Igloo 3. Gumtree Hill

Racing and Sports™ Trusted form provider for 20+ years