A bumper 10-race card has been set at Sandown Hillside this Wednesday after the final two races were abandoned last Saturday.
As a result, the Group 3 Chautauqua Stakes headlines the card, and punters are faced with another very wet track currenty rated in the Heavy range.
The rail is out 8m again across the entire circuit, meaning those that land up on the speed early might have the advantage.
For a comprehensive look at the entire meeting, as well as our best bets, best value, and analysis ahead of every race, see our Sandown Preview down below!
AQUEDUCT (1) looks ready to run a big race fresh from a spell/
The McEvoy-trained five-year-old won back to back starts at Ballarat earlier in the autumn, before wrapping up his prep finishing dead last on the Heath track at Caulfield where the slow start cost him.
He’s a proven first-up performer though and has looked a treat in two recent trials. Maps to get forward early from the wide gate and really test his luck on the speed.
| 1. Aqueduct (9) J: Holly Durnan 60.5kg 7110xT: Tony & Calvin Mcevoy | |||
| Has won previously first-up and resumes here after a break of four-and-a-half months. Finished off last campaign when last of 10 at Caulfield Heath Bm70 April 29 over 1000m, 6 len behind Along The River with 58.5kg at $9. Previously first up; fourth of 8 at Cranbourne Bm70 February 6 over 1200m, 1.75 len behind Fluent carrying 58.5kg at $12. Sharp horse who should take beating. | |||
STIPULATION (9) was far from disgraced when knuckling down for fourth on debut last month on the Lakeside track over 1200m.
She was a long way back and only fair down the straight, a run she can only improve on with John Allen sticking in the saddle.
There’s every chance she settles closer in the run this time from another wide gate and after seemingly handling the wet conditions well on debut, she appears well-placed here against a field of debutants.
| 9. Stipulation (8) J: John Allen 56kg 4T: Ciaron Maher | |||
| At debut, 4th of 10 in a 3yo F Mdn-Sw at Sandown-Lakeside on August 19 over 1200m, slow going 3 len behind Saintly Dancer with 57kg at $11. Better for that and hard to hold out. | |||
NOTTOLOOK (5) has been given a nice six-week gap between runs as he goes around in search of his hat-trick.
He came from a long way back to score at Donald in early July, replicating that effort last time out at Swan Hill over the 2400m trip where he probably could have won by more if he wasn’t held up at the top of the straight.
This is tougher again up in grade with the gate less than ideal, but he still looks to have improvement to come against a field lacking class.
| 5. Nottolook (10) J: Billy Egan 60kg 611T: Patrick Payne | |||
| Racing well recently. Comes here off a 43-day let-up. Last start was well back until straightening; raced back then made ground from the turn; won by a long-neck at Swan Hill on July 28 over 2400m on a rain affected track defeating Verifier carrying 60kg at $4.80. Before that won by 1.0 len at Donald on July 11 over 2218m on a rain affected track defeating Gaelic Kiwi carrying 59.5kg at $3. Plenty of upside who will take holding out again. | |||
The wide barrier won’t worry GOLD CHARIOT (11) or jockey Blake Shinn.
The pair combined to win over the mile a few weeks ago on the Lakeside track, settling well back in the field in the early stages before stoking up five-wide into the straight to go on and win by more than a length.
The son to Circus Maximus looked to have a lot left still to give through the line, so the step up in trip looks ideal with three runs under his belt now.
| 11. Gold Chariot (7) J: Blake Shinn 57kg 2×411T: Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr | |||
| Racing well recently. At the latest run favourite; won by 1.3 len at Sandown-Lakeside on August 19 over 1600m on a soft track defeating Emperor Tzu with 58.5kg at $2.20. Before that favourite; won by 8 len at Pakenham Synthetic on August 3 over 1600m defeating Askmumaskdad with 59.5kg at $1.18. Very progressive and will take all the beating again. | |||
JACARANDA (2) looks very well-placed here off another gap of close to four weeks.
The Hayes-trained filly was runner-up over the track/trip last month behind Buggsy, leading for most of the way before his fitness gave way when it mattered.
He’s notably run some nice races at Stakes level earlier in his career and maps to get a well-timed run from midfield on Wednesday with the apprentice claim helping him out at the weights.
| 2. Jacaranda (5) J: Jackson Radley 58kg 55×42T: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes | |||
| Third-up today. First-up 4th of 10 in the LR Lightning Stakes at Morphettville on July 25 over 1050m, on a slow track; 5.5 len behind Cavalry Girl with 52kg at $5. Last start 2nd of 9 in a 3yo Hcp at this track on August 22 over 1000m, on heavy track; head behind Buggsy with 54kg at $13. Sets up well here and should take beating. | |||
DIVINE DOT (6) had some excuses first-up on her way to running fourth over the track and distance given she was three-wide most of the way.
She still knuckled down well to just miss out on a place in the end, while it’s worth noting we saw her improve significantly second-up last time in work to win a similar race.
The winkers have been applied for the first time ahead of this second-up assignment and there should be no excuses in transit for Jamie Mott this time with the inside gate offering the pair every chance.
| 6. Divine Dot (1) J: Jamie Mott 58.5kg 115×4T: John Mcardle | |||
| Second run back. First-up after three months tracked the speed and boxed on steadily 4th of 9 in a 3yo Hcp at this track on August 22 over 1000m, on rain affected going; 0.8 len behind Buggsy carrying 55kg at $5.50. Previously second-up won by a neck at this track on May 23 over 1000m in soft going defeating Stars Of Dom carrying 59kg at $5.50. Out of 3yo company but can measure up. | |||
WARNIE (3) was down to race on Moir Stakes Day last Saturday at Caulfield before the meeting was abandoned.
He was the run of the race for mind in behind Shadhavar in the Listed Regal Roller a few weeks ago at Caulfield, getting away cleanly and settling dead last, and eventuaklly working his way down the outside to finish 1.5 lengths fourth.
His final 50m was where he seemed to really click into gear and eat into the margin, so this rates a winnable assignment with Mark Zahra booked to ride again with a few more days between runs.
| 3. Warnie (6) J: Mark Zahra 58kg 308×4T: Ciaron Maher | |||
| Second-up. First-up after two months came home strongly from last on the turn; 4th of 11 in the LR Regal Roller Stakes at Caulfield on August 15 over 1200m, on a slow track; 1.5 len behind Shadhavar with 59.5kg at $12. Previously second-up 11th of 15 in the G1 Doomben 10,000 on May 16 over 1200m, slow going 4.5 len behind Rothfire with 58.5kg at $11. Big run fresh, will be storming home again. | |||
CHANGING COLOURS (5) arrives with fresh legs having won on the Heath track just over 30 days ago.
She’s been an absolute ripper since changing hands to Lucy Yeomans stable, winning back to back starts by a combined 3.5 lengths.
Lots to like about her returning to the mile on another wet track and from barrier 4, Blake Shinn should have her in a stalking position just off midfield when it matters.
| 5. Changing Colours (4) J: Blake Shinn 59.5kg 7×411T: Lucy Yeomans | |||
| Chasing a hat-trick. Comes off a 32 day let-up. Last start favourite; won by 1.5 len at Caulfield Heath on August 8 over 1500m on a rain affected track defeating Lovelycut carrying 56.5kg at $1.70. Before that favourite; won by 2 len at Flemington on July 18 over 1600m in soft going defeating Street Lark carrying 57.5kg at $4.40. Flying for new yard, very hard to hold out again. | |||
The 1400m trip is well short of SAVITRI’S (2) best but she does deserve enormous respect on class alone.
The daughter to So You Think won back to back starts at Caulfield on her way to finishing midfield in the Group 1 Australasian Oaks at Morphettville, a race that never really went to plan after overracing early and laying in down the straight.
This step back in class is more to her level, while her recent trials suggest she’s forward enough to come out and really give this a red hot crack.
| 2. Savitri (2) J: John Allen 62kg 5116xT: Mitchell Freedman | |||
| Mare returning from a spell and has won previously when first up. Finished off last campaign sixth of 16 at Morphettville in the G1 A’asian Oaks April 25 over 2000m, 5 len behind Panova with 56kg at $13. First up last campaign second of 9 at Caulfield Heath Cl1 February 9 over 1200m, 1.3 len behind Yes Yoshi with 57kg at $8.50. Talented mare who can take this out fresh. | |||
BUCCULEUCH (2) has a trickier gate to contend with but is still very easy to side with based on his first-up win here a few weeks ago.
Patrick Payne’s gelding gave nothing else a chance down the straight, exploding from the box seat to go 4.5 lengths clear after showcasing a dominant turn of foot.
The son to Peltzer does have the tendency to be hit and miss, but with another heavy track suiting, it’s no shock to find him at short odds in a very similar contest.
| 2. Buccleuch (9) J: Billy Egan 61kg x66x1T: Patrick Payne | |||
| Second run back. First-up after seven months favourite; tracked the speed and boxed on steadily; scored a big 4.5 len win at this track on August 22 over 1400m in the wet defeating Fear No Evil carrying 60kg at $3.60. Previously second-up 6th of 12 in the G2 Autumn Stakes at Caulfield on February 7 over 1400m, 5 len behind Observer with 58kg at $7. Sure to go well again. Awesome win fresh and clearly the one to beat again. | |||