Sandown Preview – Wednesday, 1st July

HELIZANGEL (4) and Signed By A Kiss come out of the same race at Caulfield Heath a couple of weeks ago, the former running on well down the outside for fourth. 

The daughter to Hellbent was slow away and forced to shift out rounding the turn but was seen quickening quite well to hit the line hard when doing her best work late. 

Another slightly soft track suits and she should love racing over a touch longer now if she can settle a little closer to the speed this time. 

MISS REVEALING (1) should be afforded every chance from a soft gate in a wide-open race. 

She went around at Flemington last time out where she was beaten five lengths, a race that never really went to plan when she encountered some early traffic. 

This drop back in class looks to be more her level and she should also derive plenty of benefit getting back on a firmer track. In well with the claim, she should park in behind the speed and prove tough to hold out.  

STREET LARK (11) was showing decent improvement before she struck a heavy track at Sandown last time out.  

Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman’s mare was shuffled back early on and squeezed between a pair at the top of the straight, failing to run on and eventually beaten nearly nine lengths. 

Her form beforehand was good without winning however, beaten only two lengths fourth on the Heath track at Caulfield. Deep into her prep now and plenty fit, she’s a genuine each-way chance with only 53kg on her back thanks to the claim. 

EMPRESS OF THE SUN (9) won very well here over the track and distance four weeks ago, opening up a two-length gap after finding a stalking position behind the speed nice and early. 

Losing Declan Bates in the saddle is the main knock on her chances this time around, but she should feel right at home on another rain-affected track after relishing the heavy conditions last time out. 

Given another good gap between runs and likely to have no issues finding the front from the middle gate, it’s hard to fault her. 

SEA POEM (1) has gone up a good price for a horse that ran on quite well at Swan Hill fresh from a spell. 

The Hayes-trained mare found the centre of the straight out of the turn and let down with a big run, sticking on all the way for third to finish within a length of Ka Ying Cheer. 

Racing over 1200m that day may have been a little sharp for him fresh from a spell, but it sets up nicely for some big improvement over 1300m on Wednesday with the inside barrier offering him every chance. 

PRINCE TYCOON (2) has opened a deserving favourite with the low barrier working to his advantage.  

He’s got a bit of extra weight to dealw ith coming back in class, winning well at Bendigo fresh from a spell, before stepping out at Caulfield five weeks later where he was in the wrong spot at the wrong time. 

Likely to push forward and challenge for the early speed this time, he’ll be difficult to catch with class and good form on his side. 

NEARING LIBERTY (5) is third-up and nearing peak fitness for Matthew Brown. 

He’s not a gelding who wins out of turn, but there was some improvement on display when he came out and ran on for fourth at Caulfield a few weeks ago, finishing within a length of Prestige Forever. 

Another wet track strengthens his claims, and he just needs a touch of luck from out wide as he looks to find cover in the early stages. 

The unbeaten CRUISERWEIGHT (17) could be hard to beat if he earns a spot in this field as the first emergency. 

The Hayes boys had this gelding revved up for his first assignment on Australian soil at Swan Hill last month, a race he came out and won well clear of a length after overcoming a wide run in transit.  

He’s got a serious turn of foot and no brakes down the straight, which should come in handy as he tackles a tougher assignment this time from a very awkward gate.