It’s all happening at Sandown Lakeside this Wednesday, with a strong eight-race card and plenty of betting action lined up.
The rail is out 5 metres and with fine weather forecast on race day, we should see an improving surface that will give all runners their chance.
I’ve run the rule over the entire program, and you can find my complete Sandown Lakeside preview and best bets below.
Rock Them Jools (3) returns for his second preparation a more furnished horse.
The Chris Waller-trained gelding found the line well on debut to finish 1.3 lengths fourth over 1200m at Geelong before working home nicely for a neck second over 1400m here.
Blinkers go on and I’d suggest he’ll settle further forward which has been the case in two jump outs this time in work with the most recent resulting in a strong win.
He’s drawn well for Jye McNeil.
1 Unit – Rock Them Jools (3)
Bossy Benita (4) returns to the races for the first time since finishing sixth in the VOBIS Gold Reef at Flemington in March.
The daughter of So You Think raced well last preparation, advancing from a maiden win by 3.5 lengths over 1300m on the Hillside track before winning a similar race to this over 1400m.
She’s warmed up for this with two jump outs with the most recent seeing her win and defeat the very handy My Gladiola.
Craig Williams has a great record aboard her sticks and should be able to settle in a prominent position.
1 Unit – Bossy Benita (4)
Naval Academy (7) resumes here following two jump outs with the most recent producing a strong on pace victory.
The Ciaron Maher-trained gelding raced in super form last preparation that opened with a close second first-up off a yearlong spell and culminated in back-to-back to wins over this distance at Mornington and Horsham.
He’s only lightly raced so has plenty of upside and loves getting his toe in the ground.
Ben Allen should be able to give him every chance from barrier 3.
1 Unit – Naval Academy (7)
Plenty Of Grunt (7) offers good value in a wide-open race at Sandown Lakeside.
The Symon Wilde-trained gelding found the line well on debut when finishing 2.5 lengths third over 1200m at Swan Hill.
He loved getting his toe in the ground last start when stepping up to 1356m at Donald where he charged home down the outside to win comfortably by two lengths.
He’ll strip fitter third-up and looks to have the required upside to handle the rise in class.
1 Unit Each Way – Plenty Of Grunt (7)
Sassy Jenni (4) returns to the races for the first time since finishing down the track in the G3 Scarborough Stakes last Spring.
This is the easiest race the Lindsay Park-trained filly has contested since proving to be too speedy on debut at The Valley four starts ago.
She looks set for a bold first-up showing following two jump out wins where she has led all the way in both.
Craig Newitt takes the ride and should be able to land in a forward position, possibly even lead, from barrier 2.
1 Unit Each Way – Sassy Jenni (4)
Empress Of The Sun (9) has started her career in fine form and keeps stepping up to the mark.
The Ciaron Maher-trained mare finished strongly to miss the win by a neck on debut before breaking through at her second start when proving too strong over a mile at Pakenham.
She stepped up to a similar distance to this at Cranbourne last start where despite being a month between runs, she fought gamely to hold the chasers off and win by 1.3 lengths.
She’s drawn to get an economical run for John Allen.
1 Unit Each Way – Empress Of The Sun (9)
Nation’s Call (5) has been building throughout this preparation and looks close to a win.
The Robbie Griffiths-trained gelding produced a fighting effort last start over 2000m at Caulfield where he worked to find the lead before finding plenty in the closing stages to finish 1.3 lengths second.
He’s at peak fitness now and gets the services of top jockey Blake Shinn.
From barrier 4 he should enjoy the run of the race.
2 Units – Nation’s Call (5)
Dreams Come True (15) proved too classy over 1525m at Geelong first-up when charging home to win by a length.
The Price & Kent Jnr-trained mare found the line powerfully from the back last start over 1717m at Sale to finish 1.5 lengths second to Dark Simba who was a subsequent winner and then raced well in town.
That was six weeks ago so she’s been back to the jump outs where she turned in a very nice piece of work to win in the heavy conditions.
She’ll get back in the run for Craig Williams but a likely strong speed will aid her cause.
1 Unit – Dreams Come True (15)