Eight races are set down for another Wednesday meeting on Sandown’s Hillside track.
Following showers earlier in the week, the track is currently rated a Soft 7, while the rail stays in the true position.
It shapes as another competitive card, with several open races and plenty of runners holding claims. Check out our race-by-race Sandown preview below to see who we’re backing.
HELIZANGEL (4) and Signed By A Kiss come out of the same race at Caulfield Heath a couple of weeks ago, the former running on well down the outside for fourth.
The daughter to Hellbent was slow away and forced to shift out rounding the turn but was seen quickening quite well to hit the line hard when doing her best work late.
Another slightly soft track suits and she should love racing over a touch longer now if she can settle a little closer to the speed this time.
| 4. Helizangel (4) J: Damien Thornton 58.5kg 4T: Emma-Lee & David Browne | |||
| Jumped as a despised roughie at debut, came home strongly from last on the turn; 4th of 11 at Caulfield Heath 2yo Hcp on June 17 over 1200m, slow going 1.0 len behind Vivid Storm with 55.5kg at $101. Better for that and can figure. | |||
MISS REVEALING (1) should be afforded every chance from a soft gate in a wide-open race.
She went around at Flemington last time out where she was beaten five lengths, a race that never really went to plan when she encountered some early traffic.
This drop back in class looks to be more her level and she should also derive plenty of benefit getting back on a firmer track. In well with the claim, she should park in behind the speed and prove tough to hold out.
| 1. Miss Revealing (4) J: Luke Cartwright 61kg 34328T: Greg Eurell | |||
| Last start 8th of 12 at Flemington 3yo Hcp on June 6 over 1600m, on a wet track; 5 len behind Kaleo carrying 54kg at $7.50. Before that 2nd of 13 at Sandown-Hillside 3yo F Bm78 on May 23 over 1400m, on a slow track; 1.3 len behind Milos Filos carrying 54kg at $9. Best form reads well, go close. | |||
STREET LARK (11) was showing decent improvement before she struck a heavy track at Sandown last time out.
Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman’s mare was shuffled back early on and squeezed between a pair at the top of the straight, failing to run on and eventually beaten nearly nine lengths.
Her form beforehand was good without winning however, beaten only two lengths fourth on the Heath track at Caulfield. Deep into her prep now and plenty fit, she’s a genuine each-way chance with only 53kg on her back thanks to the claim.
| 11. Street Lark (6) J: Emily Pozman 56kg 5×346T: Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman | |||
| At the latest run 6th of 9 at Sandown-Hillside F&M Bm74 on June 13 over 1600m, on a slow track; 8 len behind Perfect Ten with 53kg at $6.50. The start before that 4th of 10 at Caulfield Heath F&M Bm66 on May 27 over 1500m, slow going 2.25 len behind Cooly with 59kg at $3.20. Should take holding out. | |||
EMPRESS OF THE SUN (9) won very well here over the track and distance four weeks ago, opening up a two-length gap after finding a stalking position behind the speed nice and early.
Losing Declan Bates in the saddle is the main knock on her chances this time around, but she should feel right at home on another rain-affected track after relishing the heavy conditions last time out.
Given another good gap between runs and likely to have no issues finding the front from the middle gate, it’s hard to fault her.
| 9. Empress Of The Sun (6) J: Jabez Johnstone 56kg 76421T: Ciaron Maher | |||
| Most recently came from midfield and won by 2 len at this track Bm74 June 3 over 2400m on a heavy track defeating Ardashir carrying 54kg at $4.80. The race before that 2nd of 16 at Warrnambool Bm70 on May 5 over 2350m, on rain affected going; 1.0 len behind El James carrying 56kg at $13. Big chance on latest. | |||
SEA POEM (1) has gone up a good price for a horse that ran on quite well at Swan Hill fresh from a spell.
The Hayes-trained mare found the centre of the straight out of the turn and let down with a big run, sticking on all the way for third to finish within a length of Ka Ying Cheer.
Racing over 1200m that day may have been a little sharp for him fresh from a spell, but it sets up nicely for some big improvement over 1300m on Wednesday with the inside barrier offering him every chance.
| 1. Sea Poem (10) J: Jackson Radley 62.5kg 655×3T: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes | |||
| Second-up. First-up after five months 3rd of 9 at Swan Hill Bm78 on June 5 over 1200m, slow going 0.7 len behind Ka Ying Cheer carrying 54.5kg at $7.50. Previously second-up 5th of 13 at Bairnsdale Bm58 on July 21 over 1200m, on a slow track; 3.5 len behind Dollar Shot carrying 60kg at $10. Fitter and will take holding out. | |||
PRINCE TYCOON (2) has opened a deserving favourite with the low barrier working to his advantage.
He’s got a bit of extra weight to dealw ith coming back in class, winning well at Bendigo fresh from a spell, before stepping out at Caulfield five weeks later where he was in the wrong spot at the wrong time.
Likely to push forward and challenge for the early speed this time, he’ll be difficult to catch with class and good form on his side.
| 2. Prince Tycoon (2) J: Ryan Houston 62kg 38×13T: Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | |||
| Third-up today. First-up won by 0.8 len at Bendigo Bm66 May 13 over 1100m defeating Regal Might carrying 60.5kg at $2.80. Last start tracked the speed and boxed on steadily 3rd of 12 at Caulfield Heath Bm70 on June 17 over 1200m, on a slow track; 0.8 len behind Barbaric Lad carrying 59.5kg at $9. Promising galloper. Sets up very well, takes catching. | |||
NEARING LIBERTY (5) is third-up and nearing peak fitness for Matthew Brown.
He’s not a gelding who wins out of turn, but there was some improvement on display when he came out and ran on for fourth at Caulfield a few weeks ago, finishing within a length of Prestige Forever.
Another wet track strengthens his claims, and he just needs a touch of luck from out wide as he looks to find cover in the early stages.
| 5. Nearing Liberty (11) J: Dakotah Keane 60.5kg 33×04T: Matthew Brown | |||
| Third-up today and placed third-up in the past. Resuming ran second last of 12 at this track Bm70 on May 31 over 1400m, on a slow track; 8 len behind Silent Shares with 60.5kg at $5.50. Second-up came home strongly from last on the turn; 4th of 12 at Caulfield Heath Bm66 on June 17 over 1500m, on a slow track; 0.7 len behind Prestige Forever carrying 59.5kg at $10. Rates highly. Ready to fire. | |||
The unbeaten CRUISERWEIGHT (17) could be hard to beat if he earns a spot in this field as the first emergency.
The Hayes boys had this gelding revved up for his first assignment on Australian soil at Swan Hill last month, a race he came out and won well clear of a length after overcoming a wide run in transit.
He’s got a serious turn of foot and no brakes down the straight, which should come in handy as he tackles a tougher assignment this time from a very awkward gate.
| 17. Cruiserweight (14) J: Craig Williams 56.5kg 1×1T: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes | |||
| Looking to keep his unbeaten record intact. Had his first run for this campaign last start favourite; ran on from midfield and won by 1.3 len at Swan Hill 3yo Bm64 June 7 over 1200m in soft going defeating Very Torquee with 59.5kg at $3.50. Racing well. Handy type who can measure up again. | |||