Sandown Preview – Wednesday 21st January 

This is a tough way to start the day on the Lakeside track with several first starters engaged, and I’m with one of them in RAINING FIRE (4). 

The Carey & Walker-trained mare looks well prepared for her debut following three excellent jump outs. 

She’s won once and placed third in two others but in each hit out, she’s found the line well. 

There looks to be good speed which will aid her cause given she’s likely to settle off them. 

Selections: 4-8-5-7 

TALLADEGA GIRL (5) has been freshened since a disappointing effort at Yarra Valley last month. 

The Team Hayes-trained filly was very good when resuming the start prior at Cranbourne where she led and found plenty to win by three-quarters of a length. 

She looked good in a recent jump out and Damian Lane replacing the 4kg claimer is a huge positive.  

Lane will use her speed to settle in a prominent position from barrier 2. 

Selections: 5-2-1-4 

MYSTERY ‘N’ DRAMA (9) looks to have found her race to finally breakthrough for her maiden win. 

The Moody & Coleman-trained filly has finished in the placings in each of her races this preparation.  

She was beaten a long neck in heavy going at Geelong first-up before finishing close thirds at Geelong and Lakeside.  

Blinkers go on for the first time which should see Luke Nolen be positive from the inside gate. 

Selections: 9-10-7-3 

SATTVA (9) can be forgiven for a luckless debut run at Ballarat in September when caught wide throughout. 

The Anthony & Sam Freedman-trained filly resumes here on the back of two pleasing jump outs. 

Following a solid second, she produced an excellent piece of work last jump out at Cranbourne over 1000m where she let down nicely in the closing stages to win comfortably. 

Jamie Mott should be able to settle in a prominent position from the low draw. 

Selections: 9-8-6-3 

BRANDJAM (7) showed good improvement second-up over 1200m on the Lakeside track. 

The Glen Thompson-trained gelding raced in the box seat and while he was overpowered by the winner, he fought on gamely to finish 2.31 lengths sixth. 

He’ll strip fitter third-up and Damian Lane replaces the apprentice. 

Lane should settle on speed and give them something to catch. 

Selections: 7-6-4-2 

ROYAL RENDEZVOUS (2) impressed on debut two starts ago when charging home to win by three-quarters of a length over 1000m at Werribee. 

The Mark Walker-trained gelding went back from a wide barrier last start at Geelong before catching the eye working home strongly despite an unclear path to finish 1.48 lengths fourth. 

He was stiff not to win and will find this a lot easier, even with the large weight increase. 

He’ll likely settle back, so it’s a good thing that Damian Lane is in the saddle to navigate from the back. 

Selections: 2-3-5-7 

OLNEY (9) bounced back from a poor first-up run with two very good efforts and looks right in this. 

The Greg Eurell-trained gelding looked the winner two starts back over 1800m at Kerang only be nailed on the line. 

He stepped up to this distance last start at Cranbourne and ran super after being held up to finish 1.46 lengths third.  

He’s rock hard fit and maps to get a beautiful run. 

Selections: 9-4-1-5 

VIVACISSIMO (7) once again draws a wide barrier but looks to have found a winnable race. 

The Team Hayes-trained mare was caught wide last start in a stronger race at Flemington over a mile and did well to fight on for a 1.2 length fourth. 

Prior to that, she finished third in three consecutive races, so she’s been knocking on the door. 

If she gets an ounce of luck, Ben Allen should be able to have fighting out the finish. 

Selections: 7-3-1-4