A bumper 10-race card awaits at Sandown Hillside this Wednesday after the final two races were abandoned last Saturday.
The Group 3 Chautauqua Stakes headlines the program, with punters again facing a testing wet track currently rated in the Heavy range.
The rail is out eight metres around the entire circuit, which could give runners settling on speed early a distinct advantage.
For our full meeting preview, including best bets, value plays and analysis for every race, check out our Sandown Preview 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)SCRATCHED: | |||
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 (6) 56kg4 |
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 (8) 60kg611 |
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 (6) 57kg2×411 |
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 (4) 58kg55×42 |
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) 58.5kg115×4 |
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) 58kg308×4 |
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) 59.5kg7×411 |
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) 62kg5116x |
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 (6) 61kgx66x1 |