Our Sandown Lakeside tips cover Wednesday’s eight-race card.
The track is rated a Soft 7, with wind and rain forecast for race day. That should keep the track conditions firmly in the rain-affected range.
The rail is out 6m for most of the circuit before returning to the true position from the 400m to the winning post. Runners that handle the conditions and hold a position could be well placed.
That makes the speed map and early positioning important across the meeting. Our race analysis looks at the key runners, main winning chances and best betting opportunities.
These Sandown Lakeside tips take a race-by-race look at the card. Here is our full preview.
SAPPHIRE SIREN (4) returns to the races for the first time without a public jump-out.
The Bill Papazaharoudakis-trained mare races well fresh, having charged home to win by 1.5 lengths when resuming over 1200m at Pakenham last preparation.
Kicking off over a mile should not faze her, given she easily accounted for her rivals over 2100m here to finish last preparation.
She has plenty of upside and maps to control the race for Teo Nugent.
| 4. Sapphire Siren (5) 59.5kgx131x |
ZAMBALES (9) looks extremely well placed in this Maiden after racing in four Group 1 races last preparation.
The Anthony & Sam Freedman-trained colt was last seen in the Group 1 Champagne Stakes, where he gave a good account of himself to finish fourth, beaten 2.09 lengths.
He looked super in a recent jump-out, cruising to the line in heavy conditions to win comfortably.
There looks to be good speed in this race, which suits, and Ethan Brown should enjoy a great run just off it.
| 9. Zambales (4) 58kg2954x |
GHANA’S AKAN (6) ran a brave race when resuming over 1100m at Caulfield last start.
Despite racing three and four wide throughout, the Ciaron Maher-trained filly fought on well to finish fourth, beaten 2.17 lengths. She now meets second-placed Resolutely 2kg better at the weights.
She will strip fitter second-up and should appreciate the rise to six furlongs, as she did last preparation when finishing fifth, beaten 1.65 lengths, in the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes.
Ethan Brown replaces the apprentice and should settle her in a prominent position.
| 6. Ghana’s Akan (6) 57kg425×4 |
GIGGENBACH (2) raced over this course and distance for the first time last start and gave a good account of himself.
The Price & Kent Jnr-trained mare settled a long way back before finding the line well to finish 1.15 lengths fourth.
She’ll strip fitter and was only beaten a neck in her previous third-up race.
She once again draws wide but we have Blake Shinn to navigate.
| 2. Giggenbach (10) 59kgx9634 |
PARVATI PARTY (7) has been freshened since a strong effort in the Deane Lester Flemington Cup, where she was beaten a neck and finished fourth.
Two starts back, the Lucy Yeomans-trained mare proved too strong over 2125m on a wet track, saluting by three-quarters of a length with nearly three lengths back to third.
She loves wet conditions, having won two of her five starts on heavy ground.
Caitlin Hollowood claims 3kg and rode her to victory last time. She should be able to land close to the action.
| 7. Parvati Party (6) 57kg16414 |
KILLENAULE (15) returned in great order last start over 1500m on the Hillside track, finishing second, beaten three-quarters of a length.
The Ciaron Maher-trained gelding settled back after drawing wide and ran on strongly against the pattern of the day in heavy conditions before fitness gave out late.
He will be better for that run and bolted in by 3.5 lengths over this distance at Ballarat when second-up last preparation.
There are go-forward horses drawn wide, so there should be good speed in the race, which will suit.
| 15. Killenaule (7) 58kg618×2 |
QUEEN CHRISTINE (9) returns to the Lakeside track looking to win her third race in a row.
The Symon Wilde-trained four-year-old led from barrier to box last start to salute by two lengths, thanks to a terrific ride from Linda Meech.
Two starts back, she relished the heavy conditions at Warrnambool and won in dominant fashion by six lengths.
Meech is unbeaten on the mare and can lead again from the good draw.
| 9. Queen Christine (4) 57kg17611 |
CELESTIAL ZARA (11) returned in great order with a win over 1200m at Murtoa last start.
The John McArdle-trained mare settled handy before finding the line well to score by a neck, with six lengths back to third.
She will strip fitter and should appreciate the rise in distance, just as she did second-up last preparation when winning easily by 2.25 lengths at Geelong.
She maps to enjoy a sweet run for Jamie Mott.
| 11. Celestial Zara (4) 58kg312×1 |