Sandown Preview – Wednesday 10th September

I think we’ll be talking about this race as a form reference for some time given the potential of at least half a dozen of the runners.  

One of the ‘good horses’ in my mind is SEA TRADER (7) who debuts here on the back of two impressive jump out wins. 

The Robbie Griffiths-trained colt produced an insanely good piece of work two starts back when coming from nowhere to win comfortably.  

He’s drawn wide but that won’t matter as much given he’s likely to settle midfield or worse behind a strong speed. 

DREAMS COMES TRUE (5) is racing in a rich vein of form and is looking for her third win in a row. 

The Price & Kent Jnr-trained mare was encouraged an excessive amount two starts back over 2100m on the Lakeside track, but it got the required result with the five-year-old charging home to win by a nose. 

She backed that up last start over this course and distance when finding the line from the back to win by the narrowest of margins. 

She’s rock hard fit and gets the services of Jamie Melham who was aboard last start. 

SHINJINA (8) found the front over this course and distance on debut two starts ago before being picked off late to finish just under a length third. 

The Moody & Coleman-trained filly took benefit from that experience last start at Sale where she overcame the outside barrier to let down strongly and win by half a length. 

I like that the stable is spacing her runs every three weeks and keeping her at this 1000m trip. 

She’s at peak fitness now and draws to get the run of the race for Ethan Brown.   

SALUTED (8) started her career in excellent fashion with back-to-back wins at Pakenham and The Valley. 

The Robbie Griffiths-trained filly fought bravely third-up over this course and distance to finish just under a length second. 

She was then sent to the paddock for a short break before producing a super effort seven weeks ago when going down by a head over this course and distance.  

Three jump outs will have her primed for a bold showing with her most recent piece of work producing an outstanding win.  

From the inside barrier, Carleen Hefel will give her every possible chance with an on speed run. 

MR VIVACI (8) can bounce back after having no luck over this course and distance last start. 

The Chris Waller-trained gelding was moving nicely into the race mid-straight but the gaps closed and he was left with nowhere to go. 

Prior to that, he was racing in excellent form with a close second when resuming at Cranbourne before winning over this distance on the Lakeside track second-up. 

He’s drawn to get a great run for Jye McNeil. 

KIRRIBILLI (10) returns to the races for the first time since finishing 2.5 lengths fifth in the Group 3 Peter Le Grand Stakes in February. 

The Moody & Coleman-trained mare won on debut before giving a good account of herself in the Group 3 Quezette Stakes at Caulfield.  

This is a drop in class to those races and she looks well placed with just 57.5kg. 

Two recent jump outs will have her primed for a bold showing. 

REALIKA (16) returned from a short let-up in fine style last start over 1600m on the Lakeside track. 

The Greg Eurell-trained mare let down powerfully from a long way back to finish a half-length third.  

She’ll strip fitter and the rise in distance looks ideal based on how strong through the line she was. 

A decent speed will be to her liking given she’ll likely settle in the second half of the field. 

HE’LL RIP (9) was a sick watch if you backed him last start over 1400m on the Lakeside track. 

The Corstens & Larkin-trained gelding was held up for the entire straight but still managed to finish 1.85 lengths fourth. 

He’s rock hard fit and looks well placed in this field given he was competing in metropolitan Saturday races prior to last start. 

Fresh off a Group 1 win aboard Baraqiel, Ben Allen should be able to give him a nice run.