Bust out the umbrellas, because we’re in for another wet Wednesday at Sandown this week.
The track is rated a Heavy 9 as of Tuesday’s writing, with the rail out six metres.
Showers are easing come race day, but we’ve got you covered ahead of another wide-open, eight-race program in Melbourne.
Very open race to begin with a good chunk of the field on debut.
AVENGERS (5) is making his second start for Clayton Douglas after debuting for fourth down in Sydney back in February. The third place-getter from that race has gone on to run well at Listed level since and there was plenty to like about his latest jump out on a heavy track at Morninton a few weeks ago.
| 5. Avengers (3) J: Craig Williams 58kg 4xT: Clayton Douglas | |||
| Resuming after a break; only one run when sat on the speed and boxed on steadily 4th of 11 at Canterbury 2yo Mdn on February 27 over 1100m, slow going 1.75 len behind Forest King with 57kg at $9. Should be an improver this time in. | |||
NEXT TUESDAY (9) appears close to a breakthrough win for trainer Charlotte Littlefield and connections.
The daughter to Dundeel has placed in all three tries since debuting at Pakenham in late May, handling heavy tracks on two of those occasions.
She loves to get forward in running and test her luck on the speed, and from a nice inside gate this time, she should prove difficult to catch.
| 9. Next Tuesday (3) J: Luke Cartwright 57.5kg 322T: Charlotte Littlefield | |||
| Recent form sound. At the latest run held ground to the line 2nd of 7 at Bendigo 3yo Mdn-Sw on July 5 over 1600m, on a wet track; head behind Two Stroke Baby with 56kg at $4.40. The race before that 2nd of 7 at Caulfield Heath Mdn-Sw on June 17 over 1500m, on a slow track; 4 len behind Triumvirate with 57.5kg at $3.40. Sets up for every hope again. | |||
SEA POEM (4) looks the most likely after going close over shorter at Sandown last start in similar conditions.
The daughter to Pierata was a little keen in the early stages but really knuckled down well to run on late for second, finishing within half a length of Divine Thoughts.
She gets a senior jockey in the saddle now with Craig Williams taking over and is likely to enjoy a dream run from the inside gate as she tackles 1400m for the first time.
| 4. Sea Poem (2) J: Craig Williams 58.5kg 55×32T: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes | |||
| Third-up today and won third-up in the past. Resuming 3rd of 9 at Swan Hill Bm78 on June 5 over 1200m, slow going 0.7 len behind Ka Ying Cheer carrying 54.5kg at $7.50. Second-up made ground from midfield; 2nd of 12 at Sandown-Lakeside F&M Bm66 on July 1 over 1300m, on heavy track; long-neck behind Divine Thoughts carrying 60.5kg at $7. | |||
WEAPON CLEAR (4) is a bit of a wet track specialist capable of surprising at good odds.
The son to Shooting To Win did just that when he came out and won fresh at Bendigo last month, finding the front early and making every post a winner to put paid to his rivals by two lengths.
This is his first go around at Sandown, but he’s in nicely with the claim off a good three-week break, Proven on heavy going, he’s worth a look at each-way odds with the gate also working in his favour.
| 4. Weapon Clear (4) J: Caitlin Hollowood 59kg 147×1T: Dean Binaisse | |||
| Second run back. First-up after a year won by 2 len at Bendigo Bm62 June 25 over 1000m on a soft track defeating Da Nang Star with 58kg at $15. Previously second-up 4th of 14 at Bendigo Bm64 on June 26 2025 over 1000m, on a wet track; 2.75 len behind Core Concept with 58kg at $15. | |||
NORDIC STRIKE (2) presents an interesting case coming off two place efforts at Sale this prep.
The form from those efforts held up at Caulfield last Saturday in a tougher contest, and it’s helpful knowing he’s seen nothing but heavy tracks in both runs back so far.
The wide ride cost him last time out, but if he can find some cover this time from barrier six and settle in behind the speed, he’ll be hard to hold out when it counts.
| 2. Nordic Strike (6) J: Jabez Johnstone 61kg 63×23T: Ciaron Maher | |||
| Third-up today. Resuming sat on the speed and boxed on steadily 2nd of 9 at Sale 0 – 66 on June 10 over 1000m, on a wet track; 1.5 len behind Mad About Magnus carrying 60kg at $5.50. Second run from a spell tried to lead throughout but was claimed late 3rd of 10 at Sale Bm70 on June 28 over 1005m, on heavy track; 0.5 len behind Legacy Bel carrying 56kg at $2.90. | |||
Ciaron Maher appears to have the top two chances in this race, and I’m siding with the daughter of Blue Point, BLUE WILLOW (14) down at the weights.
She finds it tough to win but was very strong to the line here last start over the mile, overcoming a slow getaway and a three-wide position to run on for fourth.
Don’t love the wide gate, but she’s got improvement still to come and the right wet track form to threaten.
| 14. Blue Willow (11) J: Craig Williams 54kg 97734T: Ciaron Maher | |||
| Racing well recently. Last start 4th of 13 at Sandown-Lakeside Bm70 on July 1 over 1600m, on a wet track; 3 len behind Prestige Forever carrying 51kg at $4.80. Before that 3rd of 9 at this track F&M Bm74 on June 13 over 1600m, slow going 3.5 len behind Perfect Ten with 54kg at $8. | |||
EMPRESS OF THE SUN (9) gets in nicely at the weights carrying only 53kg after the claim.
The daughter to The Autumn Sun contested a very similar race here last time out where she got right back early around midfield and was strong all the way through the line for second.
Apprentice Jabez Johnstone has a bit of a feel for the mare now, so it will be interesting to see if he settles further forward this time with the gate in their favour.
| 9. Empress Of The Sun (4) J: Jabez Johnstone 56kg 64212T: Ciaron Maher | |||
| Last start sat on speed throughout when 2nd of 11 at Sandown-Lakeside Bm74 on July 1 over 2400m, in the wet; 1.75 len behind Nearco Frod with 53kg at $3. The start before that favourite; came from midfield and won by 2 len at Sandown-Lakeside Bm74 June 3 over 2400m on a heavy track defeating Ardashir carrying 54kg at $4.80. | |||
HE’LL RIP (1) competes with the blinkers on again after another three week break between runs.
He has the likable Coeur Volante form to his name which stacks up nicely after that mare went on to win narrowly at Caulfield last Saturday.
The claim helps him at the top of the weights and we’ve seen him go very close on a pair of occasions here at Sandown in the past.
| 1. He’ll Rip (7) J: Holly Durnan 61kg x7423T: L & T Corstens & W Larkin | |||
| Form hard to fault. Most recently 3rd of 14 at Caulfield Hcp on June 27 over 1400m, on a slow track; 1.5 len behind Coeur Volante carrying 54kg at $11. Before that 2nd of 13 at Flemington Bm84 on June 6 over 1400m, on rain affected going; long-neck behind Roadcone carrying 56kg at $4.20. Well placed. | |||