We have set our sights on another major metro Melbourne meeting this Wednesday with eight winners to be found at Sandown.
With the rail out 12m and the chance of a shower or two, check out our full race-by-race Sandown preview, including a couple of key roughies in Race 4 and 7!
THE MUFFIN MAN (3) looks close to shedding the maiden tag if his first-up run was anything to go by.
The Too Darn Hot three-year-old gave a nice sight fresh off a lengthy break, running on late down the outside to finish third behind a couple of talented types.
He should be much better for that sharp run over 1300m, while the nice soft gate will have him settling in the forward half of the field this time.
1 Unit The Muffin Man (3)
DAELLA (8) presents fitter third-up with Blake Shinn getting a crack in the saddle.
The Written Tycoon filly has been super close to a second career win in both runs back, quickening late to run second at Pakenham on return, before bursting clear along the rail to grab third at The Valley just under a month ago.
She was interfered with briefly that night approaching the final furlong where she probably could have run second as a result.
Drawn the inside lane again though with the form out of that race also stacking up, she appears incredibly well-placed to go on with the job.
1 Unit Daella (8)
SPEAK (5) is the best of an average bunch in this staying contest over 2400m.
The German-bred mare trained by Ciaron Maher finally broke through for a win here over the track and distane a fortnight ago where she showed plenty of late motor out of the turn to win by three-quarters of a length.
She’ll carry 2.5kg extra for her troubles, but draws a nice gate this time around, which can’t be said for a few of the other key chances.
Racing with confidence, the booking of Jamie Melham again is also key to her chances.
1 Unit Speak (5)
TUMBLING (7) appeared as though he was ready to let rip three weeks ago on the Parks track at Morphettville before he was held up badly on a couple of occasions.
The rider asked something of him out of the turn before he was squeezed between a pair, eventually shifting out wide where he ran on late for third beaten just over 1.5 lengths.
This is harder again up in class, but he does look ready to peak third-up with Jamie Mott experienced in the saddle.
If the pair get the right ride off the speed and even luck when the whips start to crack, they’ll be finishing strongly over the top.
1 Unit Each-Way Tumbling (7)
THAMES (10) looks ready to rock ‘n’ roll here second-up over further for Godolphin.
The daughter of Lonhro settled midfield and switched off well at Pakenham on return, handling the sharp 1200m trip in her stride to run on late for third despite being held up.
She’ll take enormous benefit away from that effort and is drawn to receive every chance again here with a drop in weight under Jamie Melham, who rode her to a place last year at The Valley.
1 Unit Thames (10)
More than happy to take the price here for HEAVENLY SHADES (13).
This filly by I Am Invincible looks to be an absolute ripper for Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman, letting down with an outstanding turn of foot to win her maiden by close to four lengths on return at Pakenham last month.
Granted, this is a serious step up in class from an awkward alley, but Jamie Melham only needs to have her in the right spot approaching the straight for her the pair to be a serious chance.
1 Unit Heavenly Shades (13)
The possibility of a wet track could prove key to the chances of KHOR (3).
This guy overraced and was forced to make up early ground after blowing the start over the track and trip last time out, but in saying that, he still knuckled down nicely to grab a share in the money for third.
There’s no knock on his fitness fourth-up and the middle gate might afford him a little more breathing room this time with some relief at the weights.
1 Unit Each-Way Khor (3)
CARNIVAL ROW (6) comes here with solid second-up form lines off a likable effort for second over 1400m last start.
The McEvoy-trained son of Trapeze Artist was taken back to last on return before angling into the clear out wide approaching the turn, a move that saw him flash home late with seemingly plenty left to give through the line.
As mentioned, two of his three career wins have come at this stage of his prep and he’s no stranger to running some huge races over the mile, either.
With a few of these looking to go forward early, we should see him settle off the pace with a recent jumpout between runs.
1 Unit Carnival Row (6)