While all eyes will be on the MCG for the AFL Grand Final, racing fans have plenty to cheer about at Sandown Hillside this Saturday with a strong card headlined by the Group 3 Sandown Stakes.
The 1500m feature has long been a springboard for milers chasing greater glory, and this year’s edition promises to be a hotly contested affair.
A field of 14 lines up, including standout chances Evaporate, Rise At Dawn and Transatlantic, with the Hayes team saddling up three runners and Tony Gollan bringing interstate flair from Queensland.
The Group 2 Thousand Guineas Prelude adds significant depth to the eight-race card.
With the track rated a Good 4 at time of publish and fine weather forecast on race day following showers through the week, conditions should suit all horses.
From first bounce to final siren, Sandown Stakes Day brings the racing action to one of sport’s biggest weekends and the thrill of spotting a few winners along the way.
GOLD MEDALLIST (2) took some time to get to the races but has made up for it by winning her first three starts.
The Moody & Coleman-trained four-year-old mare has stepped up nicely through the grades, winning her maiden on debut before rising to this distance at Bendigo second-up where she loved the heavy conditions.
Her performance last start over 1400m at Bendigo where she let down powerfully to win by a length signalled that she was up to city class.
Apprentice Emily Pozman, who claims 3kg, can give her a great run on the speed from the low draw.
| 2. Gold Medallist (2) J: Emily Pozman 60.5kg 111T: Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman |
FARHH FLUNG (5) was beaten by the barrier last start when finishing 1.2 lengths third over 1600m at Caulfield.
The Danny O’Brien-trained gelding was caught three-wide from second from outside barrier but still fought gamely in the run home when entitled to throw the towel in.
That followed a strong win at The Valley where he charged home to win a stronger class race than this over a mile.
He looks ready for 1800m now and draws to get every chance for Blake Shinn.
SHINING SMILE (1) will appreciate returning to this class where he is undefeated after competing in black-type races recently.
The Team Hayes-trained colt gave a good sight last start in the Listed Poseidon Stakes at Flemington but was overpowered late to finish 1.07 lengths fourth.
The drop back to 1000m suits given he has won four of six starts over the trip including first-up this preparation at Flemington.
The use of Logan Bates’ 2kg claim is astute and the young hoop should be able to find a forward position from the good gate.
| 1. Shining Smile (2) J: Logan Bates 60kg 1×154T: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes |
KING ZEPHYR (1) returned in good order last start over 1200m at The Valley when finishing 1.05 lengths third.
Two of the three losses that the Grahame Begg-trained gelding has suffered have come when first-up, so he has a history of needing the run and I expect him to have come on big time.
Last preparation he bolted in over 1300m at this track when second-up before winning with something in hand his only previous start over this distance later in the preparation at Flemington.
Jordan Childs can stalk what looks a decent speed.
| 1. King Zephyr (4) J: Jordan Childs 59kg 110×3T: Grahame Begg |
NAVY PILOT (1) returned in super order last start in the Listed Poseidon Stakes at Flemington.
The Ciaron Maher-trained colt settled at the back before storming home to miss the win in a head bobbing finish.
He’ll strip fitter second-up and will love the rise to 1400m given how strong he was through the line and for the fact he was placed in the Listed Show A Heart over 1500m during the Queensland Winter Carnival.
The multiple Group 1 competitor gets in well at the weights following Logan Bates’ 2kg claim and will enjoy the decent speed in the race.
| 1. Navy Pilot (2) J: Logan Bates 59kg 237×2T: Ciaron Maher |
CUSTOM (8) won first-up on the Kensington track before being transferred to the Ciaron Maher stable.
The Godolphin-owned filly raced in restricted room in the Group 3 Quezette Stakes so there was merit in her 1.5 length sixth two starts ago.
She gave every indication that she’s looking for this distance last start in the Listed Atlantic Jewel Stakes at The Valley where she came wide before letting down powerfully to finish two lengths second to the talented Alpha Sofie who enjoyed a better run.
Mark Zahra is a great booking and should be able to give her a sweet run from the inside barrier.
| 8. Custom (1) Scratched: | |||
EVAPORATE (1) was heavily backed when resuming in the Group 2 PB Lawrence Stakes but unfortunately things didn’t go to plan for him.
The Team Hayes-trained gelding was slow away and then was tightened for room several times in the straight to finish 2.8 lengths fifth and unlucky not to place.
A setback sees him six weeks between runs, but he looks back to his best following a solid hit out to win a recent jump out.
The rise in distance suits given he won the Group 2 Bill Stutt Stakes and finished a close third in the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas over a mile this time last year.
Several gear changes have been applied which will help him jump better and I expect Blake Shinn to land in a prominent position.
| 1. Evaporate (8) J: Blake Shinn 59kg 421×5T: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes |
GLOBE (2) looks primed for a big performance after two very good runs to start this preparation.
The Price & Kent Jnr-trained gelding was run down in the shadows of the post first-up at The Valley when finishing second by a neck.
It was a similar scenario last start over 1700m at Caulfield where he rolled along at a decent clip in front only to overhauled in the final 50m to finish a half-length fourth.
He’s a stats lovers’ delight and show him as undefeated over this course and distance as well as when third-up.
One of those wins was a 4.3 length domination over this course and distance when having his third race start.
Blake Shinn should be able to roll forward and dictate the speed of the race.
| 2. Globe (8) J: Blake Shinn 59kg x0x24T: Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr |