We’re back to Sandown on Wednesday, June 5th for another quality eight-race metro program.
The rail will be set out three metres around the entire course while at publish, we’re faced with a track rated in the Good (4) range.
You can find all of my thoughts and Sandown tips below.
Race 1 - 12:25pm
Maiden Plate (1400m)
Fontaine Rouge was promising on debut and can break her maiden at Sandown on Wednesday.
The Justify filly was sent off a popular favourite at Cranbourne but did race greenly, ultimately filling the minors behind Runaway Statement.
With natural improvement for that experience, she can begin her rise through the grades.
2 Units Fontaine Rouge
Race 2 - 1pm
Tile Importer Handicap (1400m)
Golden Warrior looks to have great ability, and he can continue his rise through the grades at Sandown.
The Snitzel colt finished midfield on debut out at the ‘Bool, but took plenty of improvement into a dominant win on the synthetic at Ballarat last time.
Fitter third-up, something like this looks a next logical point of call.
1 Unit Golden Warrior
Race 3 - 1:35pm
Vale Kalashani Lad (1400m)
The consistent Hypeman steps out in Race 3 at Sandown and looms as the one to beat again.
Hypeman hasn’t finished worse than second in three starts back from a break; a dominant winner in maiden company two back before only just missing in a BM64 at his latest.
Breeding suggests he’ll relish getting out to the 1400m and with appropriate luck, I can’t find a reason why he won’t be in the finish.
3 Units Hypeman
Race 4 - 2:10pm
Benchmark 64 Handicap (1600m)
Somebodytolove is second-up and primed for a competitive effort at Sandown on Wednesday.
Somebodytolove stamped herself as one to follow in a sharp debut preparation late last year and returned to action to finish fifth, though beaten just over a length here last month.
With natural improvement she can continue her rise through the grades, and she is my best bet on the program.
4 Units Somebodytolove
Race 5 - 2:45pm
Happy 70th Birthday Peter Helme (2100m)
This is an open race with several key winning chances engaged, including Rule Of Time.
Rule Of Time has turned in some nice performances since returning from a break, winning out at Warracknabeal when fresh, while she was only just denied in BM64 company here at her latest.
The rise in trip at this point of her preparation looks suitable and we can have an each way play at current odds ($7 at publish).
1 Unit E/W Rule Of Time
Race 6 - 3:20pm
Tobin Brothers Celebrating Lives Handicap (1600m)
Binding resumes in a winnable race this week.
The Lee Freedman-trained mare was a consistent performer up in Queensland last time in, winning in Class 5 company and finding form around some genuine metro talent.
Jamie Kah takes this rise this week and is a genuine enhancement to the mare’s winning claims.
1 Unit Binding
Race 7 - 3:55pm
IVE Handicap (1400m)
This is a drop in class for Riproar and a great opportunity for him to bounce back into winning form.
Riproar resumed for a dominant win in BM64 company out at Geelong in April, and after hitting the line to finish third, beaten half a length at Caulfield, he was caught wide in running at Flemington last time out and weakened late.
He’s drawn a peach this week under Damian Lane, and it really does look a perfect race for him.
3 Units Riproar
Race 8 - 4:30pm
Benchmark 70 Handicap (1000m)
Gracie’s Rain rates as a key winning chance in the last at Sandown on Wednesday.
Gracie’s Rain stamped herself as one to watch with a dominant win on debut out at Bendigo in November before immediately going to the paddock, and she returned with a decent effort in a similar race here last month.
With natural improvement, she can fight into the finish again.
2 Units Gracie’s Rain