We get our first real taste of the Autumn Racing Carnival at Sandown on Saturday, when ten quality races are headlined by two Blue Diamond Previews.
The weather around Sandown has been generally fine this week and the track is subsequently rated in the Good (4) range at publish, while the rail will be left in the true position around the entire course.
I’ve provided my thoughts on all ten races and Sandown tips below.
Race 1 - 12:15pm AEDT
ti Home Improvement Centre Handicap (1400m)
Porter takes winning form into this contest and looks ready to transition into Saturday metro company.
Having trialled well ahead of his current campaign, the So You Think gelding has missed the placings just once in four runs back, winning twice, including a dominant performance in BM64 company at Sale last time out.
In peak order this week, something like this doesn’t look beyond him.
1 Unit Porter
Race 2 - 12:45pm AEDT
Benchmark 70 Handicap (1600m)
Capricorn Star chases a hat-trick at Sandown on Saturday.
The Julis Sandhu-trained mare has returned to the races an improved horse this time, and after hitting the line to win over 1500m on the Caulfield Heath two back, she was far too good for them in BM70 at Geelong last time out.
There’s no doubting her fitness this week, while getting out to a mile at this point of her preparation looks ideal.
2 Units Capricorn Star
Race 3 - 1:20pm AEDT
Listed Blue Diamond Preview C&G (1000m)
The traditional path to the Blue Diamond Stakes kicks off this week and seven colts and geldings will contest the first of two preview races – the Blue Diamond Preview (C&G).
Just one horses, Shining Smile, has previous raceday experience, but I thought that Olatunde could make an impact on debut.
A colt by Farnan and out of Enide, Olatunde has shown some ability in a handful of jumpouts for Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman, and he appears forward enough to win.
1 Unit Olatunde
Race 4 - 1:55pm AEDT
Group 3 Blue Diamond Preview F (1000m)
A capacity field of fillies will contest this Blue Diamond Preview including Miss Celine, who I have on top.
Miss Celine made just one appearance at the races in the spring but stamped herself as one to follow by comfortably winning the Listed Debutant Stakes.
She’s had the benefit of a couple of trials in the lead-up to this return and it looks a perfect campaign launchpad for her.
2 Units Miss Celine
Race 5 - 2:30pm AEDT
Listed W.J. Adams Stakes (1000m)
Fickle is a galloper in form and the Adams Stakes looks an ideal feature race for her.
Fickle is yet to finish worse than second in six runs back this season, winning four times, including three in succession ahead of this race.
There’s no denying that this is the toughest task she’s been set, but she has a clear fitness edge, and she gets into the race well under Jamie Melham (Kah).
2 Units Fickle
Race 6 - 3:05pm AEDT
Live Life Foundation Handicap (2100m)
Miss Tarzy looks well placed at this grade and over the trip this week.
The Tarzino mare dusted off the cobwebs when eighth behind Wings Of Song at Cranbourne in November, but she has since finished the runner up in benchmark races at Caulfield Heath and Flemington.
Barrier 13 is the knock this week, but the rise in trip suits this horse and with even luck in running early, she’ll be hard to hold out.
2 Units Miss Tarzy
Race 7 - 3:40pm AEDT
The Mary Bell (1600m)
This is an open race with plenty of winning chances engaged, and I thought that Aspen Colorado was one of those at nice odds.
Aspen Colorado finished fourth lengths behind the winner at Caulfield Heath first-up last month, but took plenty of improvement into a near miss in featured company at the ‘Bool last time out.
Drawn ideally this week and dropping in the weights, he rated as a genuine each way contender.
1 Unit E/W Aspen Colorado
Race 8 - 4:15pm AEDT
Listed John Dillon Stakes (1400m)
I’m going to give the veteran Buffalo River another chance back from a freshen up in the Dillon Stakes.
Buffalo River hasn’t won a race for more than a year, but he turned in some typically tough performances in 2024, placing in Group 1 company multiple times and proving extremely difficult to run down.
He trialled well at Werribee last week, and I’m expecting Celine Gaudray to take him forward again this week and run them ragged.
2 Units Buffalo River
Race 9 - 4:55pm AEDT
Group 3 Manfred Stakes (1200m)
This isn’t the strongest edition of the Manfred Stakes in recent memory, and I thought that a horse like Judicial would prove tough to beat.
Judicial has only made three appearances at the races since debuting, but has won two of those, including an easy triumph in Class 1 company at Cranbourne last time out.
This is easily the hardest race he’s contested so far, but he has plenty of upside and is drawn to receive every chance under Jamie Melham.
3 Units Judicial
Race 10 - 5:35pm AEDT
Nick Johnstone Real Estate Handicap (1200m)
New York Lustre is unbeaten this time in and can continue that record at Sandown on Saturday.
The Enver Jusufovic-trained mare went to the paddock after breaking her maiden at Seymour in July, and she’s so far recorded dominant victories at Seymour and Flemington this season.
She has drawn into this race a little awkwardly, but she’ll improve in terms of her fitness and with luck, I can’t find a reason why she won’t be in the finish again.
3 Units New York Lustre