We’re back on the Sandown Hillside for the second time in five days, as nine races are set to be run and won this Wednesday.
The rail has moved out further, this time it’ll be 9m from the true position so it may tend to favour the on-pace runners.
I’ve had close look at each event on the card and you can find my detailed selections below in my Sandown Preview.
One Brother comes off a narrow maiden victory at Cranbourne but he looks to have plenty of upside.
The Michael Kent trained gelding produced a very encouraging effort on debut over the mile on the Caulfield Heath, as he hit the line strongly late after settling at the tail.
He just had too much ground to make up at his two subsequent runs but last time, settling closer to the speed over the 2500m, he proved too strong late.
He does drop back in grade but the blinkers go on and the low draw can see him settle within striking distance.
1 unit E/W – ONE BROTHER
Knobelos comes off a dominant maiden victory at Pakenham and whilst this is tougher, she looks highly promising.
She caught the eye on debut there last month as she charged home late into second over the 1400m and proved far too good last time, when stepping out to the mile.
Sent forward to take up the running, the daughter of Irish bred stallion Belardo travelled well throughout and when given a squeeze at the top of the straight, she shot away to score by just under four lengths, eased down.
Barrier four should see her afforded very chance under Jordan Childs and I think she can win again.
2 units – KNOBELOS
Trembles is unbeaten in two runs this campaign and I think the Godolphin filly can make it three straight.
The well-named daughter of Blue Diamond winner Earthquake, was able to cross from the wide gate over 1000m on the Lakeside and when challenged in the straight, showed plenty of fight to hold them off and score by just under a length.
She was ultra impressive at her prior start as she led around Mornington and kicked clear score by four lengths on the line.
With the three race starts, she’s doing everything right and looks set for bigger and better things.
She does rise sharply in the weights but over the shorter trip, I don’t think that’s a worry and Craig Williams jumps aboard.
1 unit – TREMBLES
Honor Galore comes off a seven week let up and the mare boasts a terrific fresh record.
A winner when resuming at Cranbourne back in March, she just looked a touch flat second up which isn’t unusual for her.
She was strong around the Valley over 1200m in tougher company prior to her break and she looks beautifully placed here kicking off again over 1000m.
Daniel Stackhouse goes back aboard for Cliff Brown and the inside draw should see her afforded all the favours.
1 unit – HONOR GALORE
Ambassadorial has been racing well and is sure to appreciate the drop back in grade.
Now under the care of Alex Rae, the former Waterhouse / Bott galloper was solid to the line in his first three runs this preparation but just peaked late last time when stepping out to 1800m.
With four weeks since that run, the drop back to 1500m looks ideal and he has won at his only start at this track.
The low draw is a big advantage and Jordan Weatherley will take 3kgs off with the claim.
1 unit – AMBASSADORIAL
Jennivamoose resumed off a lengthy break with an eye-catching performance over 1800m here and she will have taken plenty of benefit from the outing.
Settling back at the tail, she powered home down the outside after straightening to get within a length on the line.
The New Zealand born daughter of Vadamos showed plenty of promise last campaign with some strong performances against solid company and she looks to have plenty of upside.
The rise in trip will suit, she drops 2kgs on that first up run and barrier three will see her afforded a cosy run throughout.
1 unit E/W – JENNIVAMOOSE
Beour Bay has been racing well and looks nearing a win.
The daughter of Cable Bay was strong to the line to finish second in heavy conditions on the Kensington two runs back and last time, back on a firm surface on the Hillside, she was brave to the line after being pressured in the lead for much of the trip.
She’s fit, the slight rise to 1300m will suit and she gets in nicely with the 3kg claim.
1 unit – BEOUR BAY
He’ll Rip won well when resuming over 1200m here on the Lakeside and looks a big chance to go back to back.
Prepared by the Corstens / Larkin team, the Hellbent gelding has always shown good ability but hasn’t always had things go his way.
He still wanted to race a bit keen last time but showed plenty of determination to get his head down where it counted.
He’s yet to miss a top two sport in four second up appearances and looks nicely placed with the slight rise to 1300m.
He gets in nicely with Ryan Houston’s 2kg claim and can park just behind the leader from gate two.
1 unit – HE’LL RIP
Feeling Dusty has made it two wins and a narrow second from his three runs this preparation and looks a horse on the rise.
Only lightly raced, having the five career starts, he’s continued to improve and his latest win was particularly impressive.
Settling well back over the mile at Pakenham he travelled well and when brought to the outside at the top of the straight, he extended strongly to score by over a length.
The rise to 1800m looks ideal for this son of Puissance de Lune and the in-form Ben Allen stays in the saddle.
1 unit – FEELING DUSTY