Wednesday racing heads to Sandown for eight races on the Hillside track, with conditions set to play a key role.
The surface is rated a Soft 7, and with late showers forecast on Wednesday, it looks likely to remain in the rain-affected range.
The rail is out 9m, and while the Hillside circuit generally gives runners their chance, that set-up can make momentum and finding the right lanes important as the meeting unfolds.
With that in mind, let’s get into the Sandown preview and break down the card.
FRENCH ACCORD (8) has finished runner-up in both race starts and looks close to a win.
The Robbie Griffiths-trained filly showed an abundance of tenacity over 1243m on a heavy Geelong track last start, where despite racing three-wide throughout, she found the line strongly and was only nailed on the line to finish a head second.
There was a massive gap to third, and she’ll strip fitter third-up.
While she’s drawn a touch sticky, she has strong wet-track form, which is something many of her rivals can’t claim.
| 8. French Accord (10) 56kg22 |
This is a quality midweek two-year-old fillies field, and none of them would surprise.
I’m going with EGYPTIAN DANCER (4), who should be reaching peak fitness following two solid runs to start this preparation.
The Gavin Bedggood-trained daughter of Portland Sky fought gamely first-up at Caulfield to finish a length second before leading over 1100m there last start, only to be run down late by two above-average horses in Angels Fury and Portinari.
While it’s a small field, the speed looks abundant, which should see Craig Williams take a sit.
| 4. Egyptian Dancer (3) 56.5kg8×23 |
SHULTZY (1) is racing in career-best form and will appreciate dropping back to this class.
The Pat Cannon-trained gelding was an impressive winner in this grade three starts ago, letting down powerfully in the heavy conditions to win by 3.25 lengths over 2440m at Geelong.
Since then, he has finished in the placings in back-to-back races, including a 1.25 lengths second over this course and distance last week.
He’s overcome wide gates and large imposts, so I’m happy to stick with him while he’s racing in this rich vein of form.
| 1. Shultzy (10) 60kg82132 |
Nothing went right for HI VAL (5) when resuming over 1200m on the Lakeside track, so we can put a line through that run.
The Ciaron Maher-trained filly bounced back at Bendigo last start, rocketing home to finish a half-length second to Lantana, who she meets again here.
The slight rise in distance suits, and she won her only previous third-up race.
Craig Williams taking the ride is a positive.
From the inside gate, he should give plenty of cheek in front down in grade.
| 5. Hi Val (7) 59kg95×62 |
SALUTED (4) is on the quick back-up following a super effort over this course and distance last Wednesday.
The Robbie Griffiths-trained filly didn’t get a lot of peace in front in the heavy conditions but fought on strongly when she looked gone to finish 1.25 lengths second.
Prior to that, she finished down the track in stronger races when asked to settle back, but she did win in this same class first-up when leading all the way at Caulfield Heath.
Jackson Radley, who claims 2kg, can give her every chance from a low draw.
| 4. Saluted (3) 60.5kgx1992 |
PERFECT TEN (11) has raced in excellent form, finishing in the top two in all four starts.
The Nikki Burke-trained mare was last seen working home strongly to finish a neck second over this course on the Lakeside track in heavy conditions.
Two starts back, she was headed but fought back to salute over this course and distance.
She should get the run of the race with Craig Williams riding.
| 11. Perfect Ten (5) 57kgx1212 |
HAPPY TIERS (4) returned in good order at Sale last start and will benefit from the hit-out.
The Charlotte Littlefield-trained mare settled at the tail after drawing an outside barrier before saving ground on the turn and finding the line well to finish 1.76 lengths fourth.
The form out of that race has been excellent, with two of the horses who finished in front of her since placing in strong Saturday metropolitan races.
She’ll strip fitter and won her only previous second-up race.
The wide barrier isn’t ideal, but there looks to be good speed in the race and we’re blessed with Craig Williams piloting.
| 4. Happy Tiers (14) 59.5kg482×4 |
ZUNNA (11) was excellent over 1200m on the Lakeside track last start when finishing second to the undefeated Tennessee Bound.
Despite being found to be lame, the Phillip Stokes-trained mare found the line well to get within 2.5 lengths of the talented winner.
She takes on this distance for the first time, but she’s at peak fitness and has been working home nicely over six furlongs, which bodes well.
Lachlan Neindorf should be able to settle in a prominent position.
| 11. Zunna (5) 58.5kg2×152 |