PREVIEW: Thursday Night Best Bets

THERE'S not a lot going on this Thursday night in terms of feature race action but that doesn't mean there's still not a stack of winners' to be found across the five metropolitan venues.

So let's get stuck into the form and find us a winner.

NOTE: Times are listed in Australian Eastern time.

ANGLE PARK – Race 5 (8.40pm) Number 7, COME HOME

Early betting has this fella around the $3.50 mark which represents good value. Has been racing well in strong 515m races recently and the step back up to 600m looks ideal. It's a strong race and he would be better served inside, but with the vacant draw beside him I'm banking on him whisking to the top and stealing a march.

DAPTO – Race 5 (8.43pm) Number 6, GOOD ODDS NUTTY
Winner at three of his four starts, this promising chaser makes his Dapto debut in a suitable race. Won three on end at Richmond over the 400m before failing in his Wentworth Park debut which is nothing unusual. Ran 8.08 for his first split at one of those Richmond wins which is bordering on unheard of. Steps tonight he leads for fun. His trainer Frank Hurst has had seven Dapto starters this past 12 months for five wins. A handy strike-rate in anyone's language.

ALBION PARK – Race 8 (9.22pm) Number 2, GLORIOUS IZMIR
She'll be short enough – around the $1.50 – but as they say you don't go broke backing winners. This girl just makes a habit of winning, 19 of 30 in fact, and on sections and overall times, from the gun draw, expect she makes light work of this contest. Chasing four wins on the bounce. Looks a good anchor for multis and the like.

DAPTO – Race 7 (9.28pm) Number 1, FURIOUS NOT FAST
Couldn't have been more impressive at Dapto last week from box eight, scoring in a sizzling 29.77 over the 520m. Went to Bathurst for an unsuitable 450m event on Monday making up a stack of ground late, she's dead-set airborne at the moment. If she can punch through from the red and hold the lead she'll be awfully hard to beat. Just needs to step cleanly off the bend start. Surprised the odds she is early, thought she'd be shorter and expect by jump time she more than likely will be.

SANDOWN PARK – Race 11 (9.37pm) Number 5, MEPUNGA MAGGIE
We have to wait until race 11 but expect it to be worth it with this talented bitch. Was a slick 30.19 Wentworth Park winner last time out and back home to Sandown tonight, in what looks like a very suitable race, the $1.90 early doors looks quite appealing. Has run 5.07 early at the track and if she goes near that will be decisive leader here for this.

** LAY ** : ALBION PARK – Race 7 (7.10pm) Number 7 COMMON GROUND
May seem the act of lunacy to be laying one that's had 10 starts at the track for six wins and three placings … but here we go anyway. Has put three fantastic wins together since returning from six months on the sidelines but from box seven tonight in a race with a bit of depth, at the price, just thought she's worth taking a slight risk on.

BEST BET: SANDOWN PARK – Race 11 (9.37pm) Number 5, MEPUNGA MAGGIE

BEST VALUE: SANDOWN PARK – Race 3 (6.41pm) Number 6, KEEPER OF KEYS

This bloke is a monster when he gets clear running and despite box six tonight he represents terrific value over the 595m. Started even money when a close up third in his heat last Sunday and here he's going around about the $6 mark. Has run 29.40 here at Sandown over the 515m and the wide draw from this start isn't the worst either. Worth a ticket for sure.

BEST QUINELLA: ALBION PARK – Race 8 (9.22pm) Numbers 2 & 6, GLORIOUS IZMIR & SILVER STUNNER

QUADDIE PLAYS:

SANDOWN PARK (1st leg @ 7.25pm): 1,4 / 3,4,8 / 4,5 / 5,7 ($20 investment = 83.33%)

ALBION PARK (1st leg @ 8.13pm): 2,6 / 3,6,7 / 2,8 / 2,6 ($20 investment = 83.33%)

ANGLE PARK (1st leg @ 8.40pm): 1,7 / 1,2 / 1,4 / 2,3,6 ($20 investment = 83.33%)

DAPTO (1st leg @ 8.43pm): 2,6 / 2,4 / 1,3 / 2,8 ($20 investment = 125.00%)

HOBART (1st leg @ 8.49pm): 3 / 2,5 / 1,5 / 4,6 ($20 investment = 250.00%)