Feature racing extends to Sunday this week and we are off to Sandown for a quality program featuring both the Australian Steeplechase and the Australian Hurdle!
With memories of the ‘Bool still fresh in our minds, we’ll again see the likes of Count Zero, Bell Ex One and Leaderboard in action, and there are plenty of opportunities to find a winner.
Check out my full preview and Sandown tips below!
Race 1 - 12:05pm
Benchmark 70 Handicap (1200m)
Open race to begin the program but I am going to have something on Donegal.
Donegal hasn’t been seen at the races since March, but he absolutely flies fresh and is unbeaten at this point of his preparation.
He can use this as a launchpad back into Saturday metro company.
2 Units Donegal
Race 2 - 12:45pm
Australian Steeplechase (3900m)
Bell Ex One ran Count Zero to a head in the Grand Annual last month and can turn the tables on Sunday.
The Andrew Bobbin-trained jumper has improved noticeably with each of three runs back this time, culminating in his near miss last time out.
Back to 3900m suits and with even luck, this is his chance.
3 Units Bell Ex One
Race 3 - 1:25pm
Benchmark 70 Handicap (2100m)
Gottabesavvy has returned to the races in competitive form and strikes another winnable one today.
The Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young-trained gelding has finished worse than second once in his last four trips to the races, winning during the Warrnambool Carnival most notably while only just missing up at Warwick Farm at his latest.
The trip today suits, and I can’t find a reason why he won’t be in the finish.
2 Units Gottabesavvy
Race 4 - 2:05pm
Benchmark 120 Hurdle (3400m)
Alakahan takes winning form into this race and can make it two in a row.
He was always a competitive galloper on the flat, and Alakahan made a successful transition to the jumps by breaking his maiden at the ‘Bool.
With improvement for that experience, something like this is the next logical step for him to take.
3 Units Alakahan
Race 5 - 2:40pm
Australian Hurdle (3900m)
Understandably, betting suggests it’s going to be the most open race on the program, and I cannot wait for Sunday’s edition of the Australian Hurdle.
Albeit in a weaker race, we were with Leaderboard when he turned in a dominant effort at the ‘Bool at nice odds and I am keen to stick with him.
The former Kiwi debuted in Australia to finish second behind the talented Huntly Castle over the jumps at Pakenham before blowing away the likes of Gambu and Irish Butterfly last time.
I like that he has been kept up to the mark with a nice trial since that race.
2 Units Leaderboard
Race 6 - 3:20pm
Listed Sandown Cup (3200m)
It’s a nice position in the season for the Sandown Cup and a classy field of stayers has been taken.
Interesting to see Brierly Steeplechase winner accept for this race, but I am going to take him on with Let’sbefrankbaby.
Let’sbefrankbaby has returned to the races in typically competitive form this time, winning over 2400m at Caulfield before running a half-length fourth in the Andrew Ramsden last time out.
The two miles looks ideal at this point of his prep, and he is ready to win.
4 Units Let’sbefrankbaby
Race 7 - 3:55pm
Samson Handicap (1300m)
Elouyou has been knocking on the door since resuming and gets a great chance today at Sandown.
The So You Think gelding was an eye-catching winner in BM70 company out at Geelong before going for a break, and he has so far finished second in a pair of benchmark sprints at Flemington and here at Sandown since resuming.
Fitter third-up, I don’t think he gets a better opportunity than this.
4 Units Elouyou
Race 8 - 4:30pm
Benchmark 74 Handicap (1500m)
He’s Beset returned a winner at Caulfield in May and can make it two in a row on Sunday afternoon.
The Darci Brahma gelding turned in some fine performances over in New Zealand earlier in his career and placed behind Jimmysstar at each of his first two runs in Australia.
His fresh performance and win at Caulfield suggested that he’s returned an improved horse again and something like this looks the next logical step.
4 Units He’s Beset