Sandown Preview – Wednesday, 11th March

Very open race with most facing the starter for the first time. 

Confidence is low with most, but BROOKELINDA (9) does rate a top chance based on what she’s produced when winning twice at the the trials. She’ll likely be speeding along early from the wide gate and looking to settle in the front half. Jamie Mott just needs her to switch off early to be a threat over the late stages. 

SUFFOLK STAR (2) looks a genuine improver second-up over further. 

Paul Preusker’s talented six-year-old won over the 3000m trip at The Valley last year and was solid on return at Sandown last month, running on from the tail of the field to finish within two lengths of subsequent Adelaide Cup third placegetter Hurry Curry. 

He’ll carrying 2.5kg extra this time but should appreciate getting back on top of the ground with the gate affording him every chance.  

XARPO (2) is beginning to put it all together now for Simon Zahra and company. 

The daughter to The Autumn Sun was an impressive winner first-up on the Heath track at Caulfield, finding the box seat early before putting her foot down to race away and score by more than a length.  

She’s run some good races over 1400m in the past and is expected to be up on the speed early again from barrier 6.  

CAVALRY SCOUT (4) ticks a few important boxes ahead of his first race since being gelded. 

Ciaron Maher’s three-year-old has won two trials leading up to his return, while his debut effort last year at Sandown was solid without winning, finishing three lengths off with the form from that race holding up well since. 

John Allen takes the reins and has options for the wide gate, and I think we’ll see them pressing forward early to make their own luck. 

GOLD COAST BELLE (7) should have a point to prove up to midweek level now. 

The daughter to So You Think stormed the line to win her maiden by more than two lengths on return at Seymour last month, an impressive victory after offsetting the wide gate early to settle just off the speed. 

She’s drawn a much softer barrier this time around and it’s worth noting Jordan Childs sticks. If she produces that same turn of foot, she’ll be hard to beat.  

SAVISTANTA (12) is a good horse capable of bouncing back from a disappointing display here over the track and trip a few weeks ago.  

The son to Savabeel had no real excuses after getting forward nice and early to stalk the speed, simply failing to quicken when something was asked of him by Logan Bates, who had no explanation post-race.  

A previous 2.5 length win fresh at Sale suggests he can make amends though, while it’s worth mentioning he was also third in the Geelong Classic on his way to running sixth in the Victoria Derby las year. 

RUSSIAN DUCHESS (12) is an improving three-year-old stepping up to 1800m for the first time. 

She was good in defeat three weeks earlier at Caulfield Heath, finding cover early and sticking on well for second, just proving no match over the late stages for Zakouma. 

Hard fit now getting out to 1800m and drawn to get a nice cozy run in transit, she should take beating with almost no weight on her back. 

PULA (8) appeals third-up over the mile.  

Her form over this trip has been mixed, but she was very strong running on late for second at Caulfield Heath over shorter three weeks ago, finishing 1.4 lengths after racing wide. 

Drawn a nice low gate this time and benefiting from another dry track, she’ll be one of the toughest to hold out if Craig Williams can save her best for the late stages.