Our 2026 Carlyon Stakes Day Preview focuses on the nine races set to run on the Sandown Hillside course this Saturday, August 22nd – the second meeting hosted by the Moonee Valley Racing Club this season – headlined by the Listed Carlyon Stakes.
With the first Group 1 feature of the Melbourne Spring Carnival just around the corner, the quality and depth of fields is continuing to increase, and we’ll be treated to some excellent betting races on Saturday.
Read on for my Sandown best bets, including my 2026 Carlyon Stakes tips.
I’m expecting good second up improvement from MILSONS POINT at Sandown this week.
Milsons Point immediately stamped himself as a horse to follow with a tough win on debut on Ladbrokes Pakenham Cup Day back in December, while he was only just denied at Listed level at his following appearance.
He was fair without threatening over 1100m at Caulfield first up last month and I like that he has been back to the trials since that effort.
Jabez Johnstone claims and has options in the run from the rails draw.
| 3. Milsons Point (1) J: Jabez Johnstone 56.5kg 206×6T: Ciaron Maher | |||
| Second run back. First-up after four months 6th of 9 in a 2yo Hcp at Caulfield on July 25 over 1100m, on a slow track; 4 len behind Doubt Time with 58kg at $17. Previously second-up 2nd in a small field in the LR Blue Diamond Preview (Colts & Geldings) at Caulfield on January 24 over 1000m, long-neck behind Alibaba carrying 58kg at $5. Has a bit to find on the first up run. | |||
CRUISERWEIGHT can bounce back on Carlyon Stakes Day.
Having recorded a dominant win on debut in France on New Year’s Eve, Cruiserweight hit the ground running in Australia with two dominant victories first and second up.
He suffered his first defeat when faced with too much to do from back in the pack at Caulfield last time out, but he’s another one that has been back to the trials, he’s got plenty of upside and gets a ride change with Mark Zahra booked this week.
| 5. Cruiserweight (6) J: Mark Zahra 60kg 1×114T: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes | |||
| Form hard to fault. At the latest run tracked the speed and boxed on steadily 4th of 11 in a 3yo Hcp at Caulfield on July 25 over 1400m, on a slow track; 2.5 len behind Lauberhorn with 58.5kg at $1.80. The run before that favourite; was well back until straightening; raced back then made ground from the turn; won by 1.0 len at Caulfield on July 11 over 1400m on a soft track defeating Celtics with 54kg at $3. Profiles to bounce back quickly. | |||
THINK GIANT is third up and in my opinion, primed to strike at Sandown this week.
The former German finished midfield, beaten only two lengths at his Australian debut over 1700m at Caulfield in June and took improvement into a nice performance behind an impressive Saint George at Flemington last time out.
Having found form around some excellent stayers over in Europe last time in, the rise to a mile and a half suits, while he gets into the race well with only 53kgs in tow.
| 9. Think Giant (1) J: Logan Bates 53kg 35×74T: Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr | |||
| Third-up today and placed third-up in the past. Resuming 7th of 15 in a Bm78 at Caulfield on June 27 over 1700m, on a slow track; 2 len behind Stop The Rock with 61kg at $11. Second run from a spell made ground from midfield; 4th of 13 in a Bm100 at Flemington on July 18 over 2000m, on a slow track; 2 len behind Saint George carrying 53kg at $4.60. Should be ready to peak up in trip now and finds a nice race. | |||
RUN HARRY RUN chases a hat-trick when he steps out on Carlyon Stakes Day 2026.
Run Harry Run attracted late interest in betting ahead of the Mildura Cup last month and produced an eye-catching turn of foot to justify the move, while he franked that performance when getting up again over 1500m up in Sydney.
Fitter third-up, back to Victoria and from the good draw, he’ll get some relief in the weights under Jackson Radley, and I can’t find a reason why he won’t be in the finish again.
| 2. Run Harry Run (6) Scratched: | |||
I’m eager to see UNIT FIVE make his return to race in the fifth at Sandown on Saturday.
We haven’t seen the son of Supido at the races since February, but after winning the Magic Millions VIC 2YO Classic on debut in December, he went up to Queensland and added the lucrative Magic Millions 2YO Classic on the Gold Coast to his CV.
The Blue Diamond Stakes could have been an afterthought, and he finished down the order, but he has trialled up very well again and can build on his unbeaten fresh record this week.
| 1. Unit Five (11) J: Jabez Johnstone 59.5kg 110xT: Ciaron Maher | |||
| Resumes from a spell. Finished off last campaign tenth of 16 at Caulfield in the G1 Blue Diamond February 21 over 1200m, 4.5 len behind Streisand carrying 57kg at $5. At his first start won by 2.5 len Caulfield Heath Mm 2yo Classic December 20 over 1100m defeating Ko Phangan carrying 58kg at $2.70. Pays for success at the weights, this is a good test. | |||
CONSCIENCE is second up off a smart fresh performance.
The Snitzel mare has raced consistently through seven starts since debuting and returned to action to finish second behind an impressive Queen Christine over 1200m here earlier this month.
She’s a winner at both this track and at this trip, Blake Shinn is booked to ride and something like this certainly doesn’t look beyond her abilities. With luck in the run, she can fight out the finish again.
| 14. Conscience (9) J: Blake Shinn 56kg 820×2T: Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman | |||
| Second-up. First-up after four months 2nd in a small field in a F&M Bm74 at Sandown-Lakeside on August 2 over 1200m, on a slow track; 2 len behind Queen Christine carrying 54.5kg at $4.20. Previously second-up ran second last of 9 in the G3 Manfred Stakes at Caulfield on January 24 over 1200m, 1.75 len behind Space Rider with 55kg at $13. 1000m a slight niggle but she’s got the ability. | |||
Race 7 is our feature and boasts a strong list of sprinters, including CAVALRY GIRL, HEDGED and EXTRAGALACTIC, the latter of whom I have on top.
We haven’t seen Extragalactic at the races since May, but she was outstanding last time in, winning her first two starts in dominant fashion before finishing the runner up in both the Group 2 Tobin Bronze Stakes and the Group 1 Goodwood.
Her fresh record is excellent and with the benefit of a couple of trials under her belt, she can use this as a stepping stone into something stronger.
| 9. Extragalactic (8) J: Lachlan Neindorf 55kg 1122xT: Trent Edmonds | |||
| Has won previously first-up and resumes here after a break of three-and-a-half months. Finished off last campaign second of 14 at Morphettville in the G1 The Goodwood May 9 over 1200m, soft track; a nose behind Desert Lightning carrying 50kg at $3.50. Previous preparation first-up favourite; to post a big 3.5 len win. Pakenham Bm62 March 12 over 1000m defeating Honor Galore carrying 57.5kg at $2.60. Exciting mare who will be rattling home. | |||
TENNESSEE BOUND puts her unbeaten record on the line again in the penultimate race on Carlyon Stakes Day.
Having recorded three wins from as many starts during her debut prep, Tennessee Bound has picked up where she left off by winning all three this time as well.
Getting out to the 1300m at this point of her prep looks to suit, Jabez Johnstone understandably retains the ride after piloting her to all three successes this time in and in peak order, she can get the job done again.
| 2. Tennessee Bound (4) J: Jabez Johnstone 56.5kg 1×111T: Ciaron Maher | |||
| Unbeaten in six career runs. Last start favourite; won by a head at Caulfield on July 25 over 1100m on a soft track defeating Behaviour carrying 54.5kg at $1.45. The run before that favourite; won by 2.5 len at Sandown-Lakeside on July 8 over 1200m in the wet defeating Zunna carrying 59kg at $2.05. Like her to 1300m, will be very hard to catch again. | |||
MUKHTALIF is first up into a winnable race at Sandown this weekend.
The Sea The Stars gelding has been a consistent performer through just seven appearances at the races so far, winning three times, placing as many and finding form around some credible opposition in the process.
He won at this point of his last preparation, and I like that his campaign is being launched over the mile – a recent trial suggested he is forward enough to win.
| 7. Mukhtalif (16) J: Ben Allen 57kg 1x10xT: Ciaron Maher | |||
| Has won previously first-up and resumes here after a break of four months. Finished off last campaign when last of 14 at Flemington Bm74 April 25 over 1800m, 20 len behind Mr Blunt with 60.5kg at $2.70. Previous preparation first-up favourite; won by 2 len Caulfield Bm74 April 4 over 1800m defeating Figlio D’argento carrying 59kg at $4.60. Will get further but profiles well off a short break. | |||