Thursday’s metro meeting at Sandown Park looks to have plenty of depth despite a lot of city class chasers targeting the Warragul Cup heats over the weekend. The green light will turn on for the first at 7.05pm so let’s take a look at some of the major players/chances for the twelve race fixture.

After an explosive heat win running 29.24, Zipping Simmo appears the one to beat in the fifth grade final over the 515m (race 3). The only concern I have is that he isn’t by any stretch fast away and he could be quite simply too short ($1.50) for what risks are involved with a get back chaser. In saying that, given a clear run I have no doubt he will be winning (Replay).

Polijuice Potion drops back to what seems to be her favourite distance as she exits box seven over the 595m in race five. If she can begin like she did here two starts ago when she stopped the clock at an electrifying 33.72 then it’s pretty obvious she’ll be the one to beat (Replay).

Throughout the night there is plenty of keenly contested racing on paper with my next one to watch coming up off the red in race eight. Ernest Bale produced some fantastic efforts through the Group 1 Silver Chief series of late and after being knocked out of contention last week, will be looking to bounce back in the fast class race of the night.

After failing to stay out the 600m at The Meadows two weeks ago, Mafalda Hopkirk drops back to the metro sprint trip and looks ideally drawn from box one. This handy youngster used the inside alley to perfection recently as she racked up a 12 length win in 29.57 and she looks set to repeat the dose here (Replay).

That wraps up the preview for what appears an exciting night of chasing from Sandown Park.