Eight races have been set on the Hillside track at Sandown this Wednesday with fine weather forecast and the rail out 6m.
See below for our tips and best bets in our weekly Wednesday Sandown Preview.
Act Natural has a fitness edge over a few key rivals having competed over 1200m at Pakenham and Sale this prep. Phillip Stokes’ three-year-old was fast into stride last start upon settling wide, charging home to find the front out of the turn and only being run down over his final few strides. Drawn a much softer gate this time with Daniel Stackhouse retaining the ride, the extra trip should suit with another dry track expected.
Mr Magnus continues to hold his form despite being up since late December. The five-year-old Magnus gelding was forced to shift to the outside and make up ground at Pakenham last start where he was seen charging the line late for second. The form from that race has held up since and this does look a nice setup for him back over 1000m with a stack of fitness on his side.
Tonkin resumes for Team Freedman and, as the short price suggests, looks very hard to beat. The three-year-old by Blue Point is two-from-three to begin her career after leading all the way to win at The Valley close to seven weeks ago over 1000m. It’s tough to say if she beat much home that day based on the form, but given a good gap between runs with a handy trial to keep her sharp, she should roll forward early and give a nice sight.
Super Solar is a definite each-way chance here in an open race. The grey son of Makfi flew home down the outside to run a narrow second to Mariota at Sale only 10 days ago, an eye catching effort given he was last rounding the turn with some big ground to make up. He’s been up since January and is rock hard fit with four runs under his belt, and he really shouldn’t find this much tougher providing he settles a little closer to the speed.
Speak appears well placed to improve on recent efforts. Ciaron Maher’s mare was third to Emphasize two back at Caulfield, form that obviously reads well with that same horse going on to run well in the Group 2 Autumn Stakes a couple of weeks ago. Her recent effort when stepping up sharply to 2400m was solid last week, hitting her stride over the final furlong after settling handy to the speed. On a quick turnaround now and just needing early luck to get across from the gate, she should be just as hard to hold out.
Truffle Finder was going great guns before he ran into trouble last start on the Lakeside track from a wide alley. Clinton McDonald’s gelding finished 2.4 lengths off in a bunched finish after being forced to make up ground down the outside, but based on his previous win over 1400m, he’s worth sticking with in a slightly easier race despite the extra 3kg. Ben Melham has been responsible for two of his three wins so far, and with the low gate presenting an opportunity to get back early, they should be able launch over the final stages.
Athanatos took a while to wind up at Pakenham on return, but once he hit top gear he really showed a strong turn of foot through the line to finish third. This is a tricky assignment from a wide gate, but the rise to 1500m looks appropriate after wrapping up his spring as a winner over the mile at Morphettville last year. Second-up, the son of I Am Immortal hasn’t missed a place from two tries, and if he can somehow shuffle back early and find cover under Daniel Stackhouse, he should be in this for a long way.
King Zephyr was enormous off a break for Graheme Begg at Pakenham last month, storming home from the tail to go clear by a couple of lengths.
Considering he was drawn wide, Jordan Childs gave him an absolute peach in the saddle, and this again sets up as another very winnable race from barrier 2 if the pair get in behind the speed again.
Out to 1300m now with big scope for improvement still, this son of Hallowed Crown should take a power of beating.