Our Sandown Hillside tips are ready for Wednesday’s eight-race card.
The track is rated a Soft 7, with showers late Tuesday and a fine day forecast for race day. That should keep the track conditions in the rain-affected range.
The rail is out 12m for most of the circuit before returning to the true position from the 400m to the winning post. On-pace runners look worth following, but the early races will provide the best guide.
That makes the speed map and race shape important when assessing the key runners. Our race analysis focuses on the main winning chances and best betting opportunities across the meeting.
Let’s get stuck into the Sandown Hillside card.
BOYS BOUNCE (2) will take good benefit from his debut performance over 1200m on the Lakeside track last start.
The Tony & Calvin McEvoy-trained colt enjoyed a nice run until losing his position before straightening, but to his credit, he picked up strongly late to finish third, beaten 1.46 lengths.
He will strip fitter second-up, and given how strongly he went through the line, the rise to 1500m looks ideal.
There does not look to be a great deal of speed in the race, which should see Jye McNeil take advantage of the inside barrier and drive forward.
| 2. Boys Bounce (1) 58kg3 |
INDALO (4) looks ready to produce a bold showing on debut following two pleasing jump-outs.
The Price & Kent Jnr-trained filly looked good in her first jump-out, working home well under her own steam to finish a close second on the Pakenham Synthetic.
She will not have an issue with the rain-affected track, given how strongly she powered to the line under no riding on the Heavy 10 surface at Cranbourne in her most recent piece of work. She won by two lengths in good time.
Jamie Melham has been aboard in both jump-outs and should be able to land in a prominent position from the good draw.
| 4. Indalo (1) 57kg |
SOMETHINGS BURNIN’ (1) impressed when resuming with a win over 1200m on the Lakeside track.
The Chris Waller-trained colt settled in the second half of the field before charging to the line. Despite not having the clearest path, he got the job done by a length.
The stable obviously believes he has talent, given he was entered in the Group 3 Baillieu last preparation.
He will appreciate the rise in distance second-up and gets the services of Blake Shinn.
| 1. Somethings Burnin’ (4) 60.5kg30×1 |
DIRTY LOOK (8) resumes here and looks ready to fire following two jump-outs.
I was particularly taken with her most recent piece of work, where she easily put away her rivals.
The Grahame Begg-trained mare races well fresh and won her only previous start on the Hillside track when taking out an Up & Coming Stars Series heat last preparation despite having an impeded path.
She is lightly raced, so there is still plenty of upside, and she should enjoy a nice run from the low draw.
| 8. Dirty Look (3) 55.5kg3125x |
PRESSURISED (10) has been building nicely this preparation, and that culminated in an impressive win over this distance on the Lakeside track last start.
The Mitchell Leek-trained gelding performed well above market expectations two starts ago when stepping up to this trip for the first time at Caulfield, finishing a close third as a $101 chance.
The writing was on the wall last start when he took on an easier field and duly saluted, dominating his rivals by three lengths.
He drops to 55kg and should settle in a handy position for Daniel Stackhouse.
| 10. Pressurised (10) 54.5kgx5831 |
EDUCATED (6) was stiff not to win when resuming over 1100m at Caulfield last start.
The Ciaron Maher-trained mare did a mountain of work, racing three-wide outside the speed, but still fought strongly to go down by a neck.
She won second-up last preparation up the Flemington straight after bursting clear when held up, winning in dominant fashion.
There is good speed engaged, but she has drawn well, and 2kg claimer Jabez Johnstone will give her every chance.
| 6. Educated (2) 55.5kg116×2 |
ICARO (10) found the line strongly from a long way back over a mile here last start to finish fourth, beaten 2.35 lengths.
The Michael Kent-trained gelding was only 1.1 lengths behind Emperor Tzu that day and now meets that horse better at the weights while being offered at a much better price.
Two starts back, he circled the field before letting down strongly despite difficulties to win by a neck at Seymour.
The rise in distance suits, and he is rock-hard fit.
| 10. Icaro (5)SCRATCHED: | |||
VEYEPEE (9) started his career in fine style with two wins from his first three starts before going for a break.
The Anthony & Sam Freedman-trained gelding was a dominant winner on debut before rounding out his preparation with a solid sixth in the VOBIS Platinum Guineas.
He has had two jump-outs leading into this, with his most recent seeing him given a decent hit-out in heavy conditions before winning.
Blake Shinn will give him the run of the race from the inside barrier.
| 9. Veyepee (1) 59kg116x |