The action continues at Sandown Racecourse on Wednesday, September 18th and another eight races will be run and won.
The rail will be set out 12 metres around the entire course this week and at publish, we’re looking at a track rated in the Soft (5) range.
Check out my thoughts on every race and Sandown tips below.
Race 1 - 1pm
Maiden Plate (1500m)
Heff has only just missed at each of his first two career starts and gets a great chance to win on Wednesday.
The Proisir gelding worked home well behind Captain Barbossa on debut at Bendigo last month and was last seen finishing second again at Geelong.
Fitter third-up, he can begin his rise through the grades.
2 Units Heff
Race 2 - 1:35pm
Tile Importer Plate (1300m)
This looks to be another wide-open race and Autumn Storm has claims fresh from a break.
Autumn Storm only made one appearance at the races during his debut prep and but hit the line to fill the minors here at Sandown.
He’s had the benefit of a trial leading up to today and we can have an each way play at current odds ($7 at publish).
1 Unit E/W Autumn Storm
Race 3 - 2:10pm
Fast Form Handicap (1300m)
Tumbling has mixed his form a little recently, but I thought that this looked a nice race for him.
Tumbling only just missed behind New York Diva at Sale in late July, but he has since been a few lengths of the winner in consecutive races here.
He’s hard fit this week, the booking of Jamie Kah adds further confidence, and he’s another whom we can have something on each way.
1 Unit E/W Tumbling
Race 4 - 2:45pm
LockettLED.au Handicap (2400m)
Muktamil is on the quick back-up after a decent effort at Geelong last week and I think he’ll be right in the finish again.
The Sea The Stars gelding hasn’t finished worse than second at his last four appearances, winning in maiden company at Bendigo before running into dour stayer, Kodiak Bear last week.
He’s hard fit and in form, and the mile and a half suits again this week.
2 Units Muktamil
Race 5 - 3:20pm
Benchmark 64 Handicap (1000m)
Mantua steps out in another very winnable race at Sandown.
The Fastnet Rock gelding has had three starts since returning from a break, beating home a handy field at Cranbourne most notably two back, while he was only just denied in a BM64 at his latest.
In peak order this week, I can’t find a reason why he won’t be in the finish again.
2 Units Mantua
Race 6 - 3:55pm
Evergreen Turf Handicap (1300m)
I’m keen on the resuming Treasurethe Moment when she steps out at Sandown.
The Alabama Express filly only made two appearances during her debut prep, but she finished second on debut before producing an exception four-length romp at Geelong in June.
She’s another who has had the benefit of a trial leading up to this week’s return and she can use this as a stepping stone into something bigger and better.
3 Units Treasurethe Moment
Race 7 - 4:30pm
Stow Storage Solutions Handicap (1400m)
Step Aside is the one for me in the penultimate race at Sandown.
Step Aside is yet to win in four runs back from a break, but there is no doubt that he has been improving, and I thought he was good behind a very impressive Craig at Caulfield last time out.
This is a drop in class and he might not be offered a better opportunity to win in metropolitan company.
3 Units Step Aside
Race 8 - 5:05pm
Benchmark 70 Handicap (1800m)
Half Yours is unbeaten since resuming and looks a great chance for the hat-trick at Sandown on Wednesday.
Half Yours returned to action with a fine performance and win in maiden company at Geelong, and he franked that effort with a six-length romp at Cranbourne last time out.
The rise in trip this week looks to suit, while something like this is the next logical target for him.
3 Units Half Yours