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 (8) J: Craig Williams 59.5kg 3222T: Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr |
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 (8) J: Craig Williams 57kg 23212T: Richard & Chantelle Jolly |
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 |
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 |
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 |
QUEEN PETA (5) could not have been more impressive when winning on debut at Cranbourne.
The Grahame Begg-trained filly sat outside Blue Shield before letting down powerfully to win the 1200m contest by 3.75 lengths.
She’ll be better for the experience and we’ll get a good guide earlier in the day with Blue Shield starting as a short-priced favourite in the opener.
This race shapes similar to her debut with her mapping to sit outside the lead.
| 5. Queen Peta (4) J: Jordan Childs 60kg 1T: Grahame Begg |
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 |
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 (5) J: Craig Williams 58.5kg 3×1T: Ciaron Maher |