With the Melbourne Spring Carnival looming, we’re treated to quality metropolitan programs on both Wednesday and Saturday this week, and it all kicks off at Sandown.
Eight races will be run and won on a track that has been rated in the Heavy (8) range at publish, while the rail will be set out four metres around the entire course.
Check out my Sandown tips below.
Race 1 - 12:25pm
2YO Handicap (1000m)
This is a wide-open race with plenty of winning chances engaged and I thought that Cap Ten looked over the odds at his current price ($21 at publish).
Cap Ten finished down the order in the Blue Diamond Preview on debut and was immediately tipped out, and he returned to action for an easy win on the Ballarat synthetic.
This is harder, but he’s open to plenty of improvement.
1 Unit E/W Cap Ten
Race 2 - 1pm
LockettLED.com.au Handicap (1600m)
Oceans Above is third-up and primed for a big effort.
The Simon Zahra-trained finished off the pace in BM70 company here when resuming but relished getting out to the mile last time out and only just missed.
Fitter third-up, I’m confident he can go one better in a very similar contest this week.
2 Units Oceans Above
Race 3 - 1:35pm
Stow Storage Solutions Handicap (1300m)
I’m keen to stick with Walk Of Fame third-up at Sandown.
The Danny O’Brien-trained mare hit the line to only just miss in a photo when resuming in late June before returning to winning form with an eye-catching effort at Geelong last time out.
Fitter third-up, from the good draw and under Jamie Kah, she gets a lot of ticks again.
2 Units Walk Of Fame
Race 4 - 2:10pm
Benchmark 78 Handicap (1000m)
Miss Icelandic is third-up and strikes a nice race at Sandown on Wednesday.
Having dusted off the cobwebs in BM84 company at Caulfield back in June, the Deep Field mare filled the minors at this track and trip last time out.
She’s a horse that tends to enjoy big improvement with a couple of runs under her belt and she’s ready to fire.
2 Units Miss Icelandic
Race 5 - 2:45pm
Evergreen Turf Handicap (1600m))
I’m happy to give a fit Pitchanun another chance when she goes around at Sandown on Wednesday.
Rarely is she far away, and Pitchanun has finished second in two of her last three starts, including an eye-catching effort behind Arqana at Flemington last time out.
In peak order, I like that Danny O’Brien is sending her back to the midweeks in search of a win and she’s drawn to receive every chance under Blake Shinn.
4 Units Pichanun
Race 6 - 3:20pm
Tile Importer Handicap (1400m)
Hanau looks a key winning chance at Sandown this week.
The Snitzel gelding returned to action in June with a fair effort in Saturday metro company up in Sydney and was a month between runs into another good performance, beaten only a length here a couple of weeks ago.
Fitter third-up, something like this is certainly within his abilities and he’s ready to win.
3 Units Hanau
Race 7 - 3:55pm
Benchmark 70 Handicap (1600m)
Minamishima faces a rise in class at Sandown on Wednesday but is hard fit and in winning form.
The Satono Aladdin filly has improved noticeably with each of three runs back from a break, hitting the line to finish second at Pakenham before destroying a maiden field at her latest.
She’s another whose winning chances have been enhanced by the booking of Jamie Kah this week and we can have an each way play at current odds ($10 at publish).
1 Unit E/W Minamishima
Race 8 - 4:30pm
Happy 50th Birthday T.J. (2400m)
I’m siding with Golden Crusader in the last at Sandown on Wednesday.
He’s yet to strike in four runs back from a break, but Golden Crusader has been competitive several times and has finished midfield in a pair of Saturday metro races at his last two appearances.
Back to the midweeks and out in trip, this looks an appropriate race.
2 Units Golden Crusader