Eight thrilling races are lined up this Wednesday at Sandown’s Lakeside circuit.
The rail is positioned 9 metres out across the track, and conditions are expected to hover around a Soft 6, with a chance of showers adding some unpredictability.
With the Melbourne Spring Carnival fast approaching, this midweek meeting promises wide-open fields and plenty of betting intrigue. Don’t miss our top picks for all eight events.
WETUMPKA (7) looks primed for another strong showing following an eye-catching debut on the synthetic surface at Pakenham.
The Alabama Express colt charged home after angling wide, narrowly missing behind She’s Me Ex, who has since held her own at midweek level.
He’s since tuned up with a sharp jumpout win between runs, and now steps out over more ground with Ben Allen aboard from a favourable draw. Conditions and setup suggest he’s ready to make his presence felt.
MISS TRUSTFUL (8) steps out for her third run this preparation, following a gritty placing over 1400m at this track two weeks back.
The Ciaron Maher-trained mare was ridden with intent, positioning just off the pace before lifting in the straight and sticking on gamely to finish less than a length off the winner.
That effort came off a three-week break, so she’s likely to strip fitter here. With Ethan Brown now taking the reins and carrying 56kg once again, she looks well placed to build on that solid showing.
HANAFUBUKI (3) looks well placed to strike fourth-up, appearing ready to peak after a sharp improvement last start over this track and trip.
She settled at the rear before launching a wide run around the turn, finishing strongly to grab third—justifying her credentials at this distance, having scored impressively by over two lengths at Pakenham earlier in March.
With a handy 2kg claim bringing her in lighter at the weights and the likelihood of some give in the ground, she’s set for another patient ride from off the speed. Conditions and timing suggest she’s right in the mix.
SHE SAID (4) brings winning momentum into this, having kicked off her prep in style with back-to-back victories at Seymour, scoring by a combined margin of 2.2 lengths.
Liam Howley’s mare steps up slightly in trip and draws a much softer gate this time—an upgrade from last week’s wide run from barrier 10, where Celine Gaudray had to work overtime.
Backing up quickly and likely to land the box seat, she’s well positioned to maintain her unbeaten streak and prove hard to run down when the pressure hits late.
SURFIN’ BIRD (5) may be lightly raced, but there’s plenty to like about her heading into this assignment for the Waterhouse and Bott stable.
The Autumn Sun mare showed sharp early speed last start, controlling the tempo and leading throughout to score convincingly. With Brett Stanley sticking aboard and another favourable draw, expect similar front-running tactics.
Boasting two wins from her first three starts and still appearing to have more to offer, she shapes as a genuine talent on the rise—definitely one to keep onside.
NEPRAVDA (5) is a progressive sprinter with plenty of upside still to unlock.
Prepared by the Hayes team, the Russian Revolution filly showed real tenacity first-up over 1200m, pushing forward to sit on the speed and sticking on gamely for second after a long break.
That effort suggests she’ll take significant improvement into this next step up in trip. With the benefit of an apprentice claim easing her weight, she looks well placed to deliver a bold showing as she builds into her prep.
PRINCESS QUE (13) looks well placed to go back-to-back if she can replicate the strength of her fresh win a fortnight ago.
Simon Zahra’s filly surged to the front 200m out and attacked the line with purpose, hinting there’s still plenty in the tank as she builds into her campaign.
By Toronado, she’s yet to put in a poor run across six starts, including competitive efforts in stronger company at Flemington earlier this year as a three-year-old.
With Damian Lane likely to have her rolling forward from the jump, she’ll be right in the firing line again and tough to reel in late.
JUST FOR SHOW (6) has been going well enough to suggest he’s right in the mix here.
Last start at Flemington, he was luckless—caught on the rails and shuffled back before finally seeing daylight in the final furlong, where he surged late and narrowly missed a placing.
This looks a touch easier, and with a solid four-week break between runs, he should be fresh and ready to fire. He also ran a strong third on the Hillside track three starts back under similar conditions, which adds further confidence to his chances.