Wednesday’s Sandown Lakeside meeting gives punters an eight-race card to work through, with winter conditions set to play their part. The track was rated a Heavy 8 on Tuesday, but with fine and cold days forecast in the lead-up, there’s every chance it improves slightly by race day while still retaining some give.
With the rail out 3m, the set-up may give on-pace runners their chance, particularly if the inside lanes hold together early. Proven wet-track ability and race fitness still look important factors, so let’s get into the preview and try to find a few Sandown Lakeside winners.
BLUE SHIELD (2) has finished in the placings in all four starts and looks ready to break through for his maiden win.
The Price & Kent Jnr-trained gelding gave a good sight in front over this distance at Cranbourne last start, but was run down late to finish 3.75 lengths second while still comfortably accounting for the rest of the field.
His past three runs have all been on rain-affected tracks and he’s now rock-hard fit, which gives him an advantage over a number of his opponents.
Craig Williams takes the ride and should be able to control the race comfortably.
| 2. Blue Shield (9) J: Craig Williams 59.5kg 3222T: Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr | |||
| Racing well recently. At the latest run led but faded 2nd of 9 at Cranbourne Mdn-Sw on June 21 over 1200m, on rain affected going; 4 len behind Queen Peta with 59.5kg at $1.85. The start before that set the pace for much of the race 2nd of 10 at Mornington 3yo Mdn-Sw on June 8 over 1200m, on heavy track; 0.8 len behind Upolu carrying 58kg at $2.80. Knocking on the door and rates as the one to catch. | |||
HARSH (2) will appreciate dropping in class after finding the line well over 2500m at Morphettville last start, where he finished just under a length from Wuddzz.
Wuddzz franked the form when heavily backed in the Banjo Paterson at his next start, where he finished fourth.
The Richard & Chantelle Jolly-trained gelding was a dominant 4.25-length winner over 2400m on a heavy Morphettville deck two starts ago.
The outside barrier isn’t ideal, but he started from a wide gate in that big win and now gets the services of Craig Williams.
| 2. Harsh (9) J: Craig Williams 57kg 23212T: Richard & Chantelle Jolly | |||
| Racing well recently. At the latest run ran on from midfield; 2nd of 10 at Morphettville Bm78 on June 20 over 2500m, on a wet track; 0.8 len behind Wuddzz with 54kg at $2.15. Before that favourite; won by 4.5 len at Morphettville Parks Bm78 June 6 over 2400m on a heavy track defeating Kirkliston Blu carrying 54kg at $4. Went close last time. Flying and can bring that across the border. | |||
This is not a race we can attack with any great confidence, but BLUESTONE (2) looks the best of an unlikely bunch.
The Mick Kent-trained gelding hasn’t won in over a year, but he has performed consistently well in stronger races and his most recent victory did come in this grade.
He races well fresh and is a previous first-up winner over this distance at Mornington.
Luke Cartwright, who claims 1.5kg and knows him well, can give him every chance by settling in a prominent position.
| 2. Bluestone (7) J: Luke Cartwright 61kg 2628xT: Michael Kent | |||
| Has won previously first-up and resumes here after a break of 11 weeks. Finished off last preparation second last of 9 at Flemington Bm84 Hcp April 25 over 2500m, 8 len behind The Western Front with 52.5kg at $3.40. Previously first up; second in a small field at Caulfield Bm70 February 7 over 2000m, 1.75 len behind Ambassadorial carrying 59kg at $7.50. Best form reads well, takes holding out. | |||
BONS TO RICHES (3) can be forgiven for his effort in the putrid conditions on the Hillside track last start, when he led and weakened over the final furlong to finish 4.75 lengths fifth.
The Alex Rae-trained gelding will appreciate the drop in class and should strip fitter for that run.
He boasts an impressive third-up record, with two wins from three starts, including a victory on a Soft 7 at Cranbourne.
Jackson Radley’s 2kg claim is a positive, as is the fact he has previously saluted aboard the horse.
From the inside gate, he should give plenty of cheek in front down in grade.
| 3. Bons To Riches (1) J: Jackson Radley 60.5kg 26×55T: Alexander Rae | |||
| Third-up today and won third-up in the past. Resuming 5th of 12 at Caulfield Heath Bm74 on May 20 over 1200m, on a slow track; 1.0 len behind Impending Link carrying 59kg at $13. Second-up 5th of 12 at Sandown-Hillside Bm74 on June 13 over 1400m, on heavy track; 5 len behind Thebelmontgangster carrying 59kg at $14. Sets up well and can take catching. | |||
PINOT FOR MIKE (13) looks primed to show her best and can run a race for us at an each-way price.
The Team Hayes-trained filly caught the eye over 1300m at Bendigo last start, settling a clear last from the outside barrier before rocketing home in the fastest final 200m of the day to finish a length third.
That followed a close third at Swan Hill, where she again found the line powerfully, so the rise in distance looks ideal.
She’s been forced to go back in recent races after drawing wide, but from the better barrier here, Jackson Radley should be able to settle closer.
| 13. Pinot For Mike (6) J: Jackson Radley 57kg 1×533T: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes | |||
| Form hard to fault. At the latest run ran on strongly from last on the turn; 3rd of 14 at Bendigo F&M Bm62 on June 25 over 1300m, on a slow track; 1.0 len behind Lantana with 60kg at $12. Before that 3rd of 14 at Swan Hill F&M Bm62 on June 6 over 1300m, slow going 0.8 len behind Where’s My Sock carrying 60kg at $6. Thereabouts last time out. Can be finishing strongly again. | |||
MISS LOLA (11) has settled in well in Melbourne after previously racing in Sydney, where she placed in four of seven starts.
The Chris Waller-trained filly was out-bobbed on the line first-up at Moe before going one better over this course and distance on a heavy deck last start.
She led into the straight before dashing clear to win easily by 1.5 lengths.
A recent jump out should have tuned her up nicely, given she’s a month between runs.
She has the early speed to cross and find a prominent position for Jye McNeil.
| 11. Miss Lola (9) J: Jye Mcneil 59kg 35×21T: Chris Waller | |||
| Third-up today. First-up raced on the speed and boxed on steadily 2nd of 11 at Moe 3yo Mdn-Sw on May 12 over 1214m, slow going nose behind Golden Magnate carrying 56kg at $2.90. Last start favourite; won by 1.5 len at this track Mdn-Sw June 3 over 1200m on a heavy track defeating Pray Tell carrying 57.5kg at $2.05. Found her best form now. Nice filly who can go on with it. | |||
TENNESSEE BOUND (1) returned in magnificent order last start to keep her unbeaten record intact.
The Ciaron Maher-trained mare settled handy over 1000m at Caulfield Heath before putting her rivals away with ease in the straight, winning by 1.75 lengths while eased down.
She’ll strip fitter and should appreciate the rise to 1200m, as she did last preparation when bolting in by 4.75 lengths at Cranbourne second-up.
She maps to control the race for 3kg claimer Jabez Johnstone.
| 1. Tennessee Bound (3) J: Jabez Johnstone 62kg 111×1T: Ciaron Maher | |||
| Second-up. First-up after seven months favourite; tracked the speed and boxed on steadily; won by 1.75 len at Caulfield Heath Bm70 June 17 over 1000m on a rain affected track defeating National Code with 56.5kg at $1.60. Previously second-up favourite; won by 5 len at Cranbourne Bm62 October 31 over 1200m defeating Lady Sadler with 58.5kg at $1.55. Strips fitter and hard to go past on current form. Very talented mare who should remain unbeaten. | |||
MAHERSHALA (17) is lightly raced and looks to have more upside than his rivals.
The Ciaron Maher-trained gelding finished two lengths third in a heat of the Ladbrokes Future Stars Series at Pakenham when debuting last preparation.
He was sent for a break following that run and recently returned over 1000m at Seymour, where he recorded the fastest final 400m of the day to win impressively by 3.25 lengths.
A recent jump out, where he cruised around in front, should have fitted him nicely.
Craig Williams should give him every chance from a decent draw.
| 17. Mahershala (7) J: Craig Williams 58.5kg 3×1T: Ciaron Maher | |||
| Second-up. Promising on debut ran on strongly from last on the turn; 3rd of 7 at Pakenham 3yo Mdn-Sw on February 5 over 1200m, 2 len behind I Stand By You carrying 58kg at $3. Went for a spell before returning favourite; won by 3.5 len at Seymour Mdn-Sw June 11 over 1000m on a rain affected track defeating Mathletes carrying 59.5kg at $1.35. Very progressive and can go on with the job. | |||