Racing returns to Sandown on Wednesday with a strong eight-race card assembled.
Conditions are ideal in Melbourne, with the track rated a Good 4 and the rail positioned 6 metres out, creating a fair surface for several short-priced favourites looking to build momentum toward bigger autumn targets.
Our top selection appears late in the program, with an in-form mare from the Archie Alexander stable catching the eye, while there’s also some early each-way value on offer.
For full analysis across all eight races, check out our Sandown Preview below.
MR INDEPENDENT (8) shapes as a genuine each-way chance after a solid fresh effort when fifth at Pakenham.
The Julius Sandhu-trained three-year-old settled well back from a tricky draw under Jake Noonan before building nicely out wide on the turn and finishing off strongly.
That run suggested he may improve with the outing and appreciate additional ground. From the inside draw this time, with Beau Mertens aboard, he profiles as a clear top-three contender if he can reproduce that performance.
| 8. Mr Independent (1) J: Beau Mertens 59kg 6×5T: Julius Sandhu |
TOOKAY PETE (1) should enjoy a favourable run along the rail with the benefit of the 3kg claim.
The son of Mikki Isle was unable to complete a hat-trick at Cranbourne last week, settling in his customary on-speed position before finding the middle of the straight and chasing hard behind Educated.
He was forced to do some early work from a wider draw on that occasion, so with that in mind, the quick back-up and improved gate point to him being well placed to bounce back and go one better.
| 1. Tookay Pete (1) J: Jackson Radley 60kg 02112T: Melissa Page |
LEGACY BAY (3) is worth another look dropping back in grade.
The Zoustar mare had little luck at Flemington a few weeks ago, where a wide draw forced her to work early and she never truly found top gear when finishing five lengths from the winner.
Importantly, the form from that race has since held up well, and she should be at peak fitness following two runs over 1400 metres. Returning to midweek grade with a trial between starts, she shapes as a strong contender with the blinkers coming off for the first time.
| 3. Legacy Bay (4) J: Zac Spain 59kg x3325T: Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman |
HANAFUBUKI (3) shapes as the runner to beat based on her recent form.
While it’s been almost a year since the Savabeel mare last found the winner’s stall, she has been performing consistently, finishing within 2.5 lengths here two starts back over 2100 metres before stretching out in trip at Pakenham, where she only weakened late.
She is one of the few in the field with proven experience at the 3000-metre journey and looks well placed with Craig Williams returning to the saddle after partnering her two runs back on the Lakeside track.
| 3. Hanafubuki (9) J: Craig Williams 57kg x3345T: Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young |
FIGLIO D’ARGENTO (2) only needs a touch of luck from a wide draw to be right in the finish.
The Kavanagh-trained grey has been knocking on the door in recent runs at Cranbourne and Geelong, before producing a solid effort over 1800 metres at Flemington a fortnight ago, racing on speed along the rail and finishing just 2.9 lengths behind the talented Yes I Know.
Brad Rawiller knows him well, and this shapes as a suitable race for him to break through if he can work across and take up a forward position early.
| 2. Figlio D’argento (7) J: Brad Rawiller 59.5kg x5234T: Mark & Levi Kavanagh |
COCO DE LUXE (5) is a serious three-year-old looking to take the next step for Craig Weeding and connections.
The All Too Hard filly is unbeaten in two runs so far, storming the line hard down the outside at Cranbourne two weeks ago after Lachlan King pushed the button from midfield to win by a comfortable 1.85 lengths.
She’s drawn the perfect gate to get back and launch again and just needs to handle the extra 4kg to make it three on the trot.
| 5. Coco De Luxe (5) Scratched: | |||
ATTACHMENTS (3) endured a frustrating watch last start on the Lakeside track, where the Prince of Caviar mare was badly held up approaching the 200 metres before getting clear late and finishing just outside the placings.
That run came off a six-week break for the Archie Alexander-trained mare, following a dominant Kilmore victory where she overcame a five-wide run and surged clear over the final 100 metres.
The 60kg remains a slight query again, but from the inside draw and with Craig Williams aboard, she looks well placed to improve second-up.
| 3. Attachments (1) J: Craig Williams 60kg 0x214T: Archie Alexander |
WATERSPORTS (9) shapes as the safe option dropping back to 1500 metres.
The Archie Alexander-trained mare has been consistent this preparation, finishing in the placings at all four runs, including a strong win over this distance at Cranbourne two starts ago.
There was little wrong with her latest effort over the mile at Flemington, where she just lacked the acceleration to match the smart Midnite Storm, who has since franked the form with a win at Caulfield last Saturday.
| 9. Watersports (4) J: Craig Williams 59kg x2313T: Archie Alexander |