The Money Trail – Sandown, August 31

Racing and Sports finds the best-backed runners in early betting on Wednesday’s meeting at Sandown.

Champagne Ready (Race 1) opened as the second favourite but has taken over at the head of the market at $2.60 having firmed the best part of two points. The Chris Waller-trained mare was runner-up at her only run at Gosford but has been switched to Melbourne for her resuming run off a Rosehill trial.

Barthelona (Race 2) has almost halved his opening quote to $4.80 and has taken over favouritism at that quote in a wide betting race. He won at Bendigo at his only run and spelled since, the punters are looking for him to return in similar fashion.

Magicus (Race 6) has a 50 per cent winning strike rate and has been well-backed to chalk up another victory today, firming more than three points as a $3.70 fixed odds favourite with TopBetta. He missed the place at Moonee Valley as favourite last time but was beaten less than two lengths and had a Caulfield second and Moonee Valley win at his previous two runs.

Lady Esprit (Race 8) has firmed almost three points to $4.80 in the early stages of betting. She may have found 1200m too far last time when leading and fading late at Caulfield but both of her wins have been at this distance, one coming at this course.

Get Best Tote and Fixed Odds betting at TopBetta