Sandown will host Melbourne’s major metropolitan meeting this weekend and nine races are on the program.
This is the second meeting on the Sandown Hillside track this week and the rail will be set out 3 metres around the entire course, while at publish, we’re looking at a track rated in the Good (4) range.
I’ve run the rule over the entire program, and you can find my complete Sandown preview and best bets below.
Race 1 - 11:55am
2YO Fillies Handicap (1000m)
Miss Ole is second up and can begin her rise through the grades at Sandown on Saturday.
The Clinton McDonald-trained filly showed promise at the trials prior to debuting before finishing midfield in the VOBIS Gold Strike on debut.
She’s been back to the trials since that experience and will undoubtedly take improvement for it.
2 Units Miss Ole
Race 2 - 12:25pm
LockettLED.au Handicap (1000m)
South Australian raider Losesomewinmore steps out in Melbourne this week second up and in winning form.
Losesomewinmore has won four of eight starts since debuting, finishing the runner up a further two times and finding form around some quality Saturday metro opposition.
He was too good down the straight at Flemington under Jamie Melham when resuming last month, Melham sticks this week, and the horse can go on with it.
2 Units Losesomewinmore
Race 3 - 1pm
IVE Handicap (1400m)
I’m going to five Grinzinger Sun another chance on the quick back-up at Sandown.
She settled midfield and held ground at Flemington last weekend in what was a fair effort, but her form at the beginning of her prep was excellent and included consecutive victories.
She’s hard fit and drawn ideally this week under Harry Coffey.
1 Unit E/W Grinzinger Sun
Race 4 - 1:35pm
3YO Handicap (1600m)
Muirfield has hardly turned in a poor performance since debuting and gets another great chance to win at Sandown on Saturday.
Muirfield has made just four appearances at the races so far, but after breaking his maiden at just his second start, he’s since been competitive in a couple of tougher metro races, including a credible third placing behind Mary Eliza at Caulfield a fortnight ago.
He’s fit, gets into this race well and looks well placed over the mile again.
2 Units Muirfield
Race 5 - 2:10pm
Tile Importer Handicap (1600m)
Changing Colours has been knocking on the door of another win since resuming and looks the one to beat this weekend.
Having ended her last preparation with a dominant victory in BM70 company on the Caulfield Heath, Changing Colours has run into the minors at each of three runs back this time and was last seen finishing a head behind Just Glamourous over the mile.
Ben Melham sticks and with even luck in running, I think she’s primed to strike.
4 Units Changing Colours
Race 6 - 2:45pm
Benchmark 100 Handicap (1800m)
Saban takes weight from almost every rival in this race.
The Shamus Award gelding finished fifth, beaten three lengths by the talented King Zephyr at Flemington first up in April and hit the line to finish an agonizingly close second behind Angry Skies in BM84 company last time out.
This is harder, but he’s open to plenty of improvement and should relish another rise in trip.
1 Unit Saban
Race 7 - 3:25pm
Stow Storage Solutions Handicap (1600m)
Otago is second up and beautifully placed at Sandown.
Having stamped himself as one to follow by winning his first two career starts in late 2023 before ending his debut prep midfield in an Australian Guineas, Otago returned from more than a year away from the races to only be denied by a fit and formed King Zephyr at Flemington last month.
With natural improvement, I think he’ll take a power of beating this week.
5 Units Otago
Race 8 - 4:05pm
Senet Gambling Law Experts Handicap (1400m)
Accredited drops in class and is open to improvement second up from a spell.
The All Too Hard gelding recorded three-consecutive wins through the summer and was freshened after running two lengths behind the winner in the Southern Cross Stakes, while he returned to action with a fine performance to finish only half a length behind the winner in the Takeover Target Stakes at Gosford two weeks ago.
He’ll only improve for that run and gets the services of Jamie Melham this week.
3 Units Accredited
Race 9 - 4:35pm
Benchmark 84 Handicap (1400m)
Step Aside chases a hat-trick in the last at Sandown on Saturday.
Step Aside was freshened after an easy win at Rosehill in late February, and he picked up where he left off with an eye-catching effort to finish over the top of King Of Roseau in Sydney last month.
With the benefit of that run and from the good draw, he’s up to capping off what I think will be a big day for Ben Melham.
1 Unit Step Aside