Grab the wet-weather gear — Sandown looks set for another soggy Wednesday this week.
At the time of writing on Tuesday, the track was rated a Heavy 9, with the rail positioned six metres out.
While the showers are expected to ease by race day, we’ve done the form for what shapes as a competitive eight-race card in Melbourne.
Very open race to begin with a good chunk of the field on debut.
AVENGERS (5) is making his second start for Clayton Douglas after debuting for fourth down in Sydney back in February. The third place-getter from that race has gone on to run well at Listed level since and there was plenty to like about his latest jump out on a heavy track at Morninton a few weeks ago.
| 5. Avengers (3) Scratched: | |||
NEXT TUESDAY (9) appears close to a breakthrough win for trainer Charlotte Littlefield and connections.
The daughter to Dundeel has placed in all three tries since debuting at Pakenham in late May, handling heavy tracks on two of those occasions.
She loves to get forward in running and test her luck on the speed, and from a nice inside gate this time, she should prove difficult to catch.
| 9. Next Tuesday (2) J: Luke Cartwright 57.5kg 322 T: Charlotte Littlefield |
SEA POEM (4) looks the most likely after going close over shorter at Sandown last start in similar conditions.
The daughter to Pierata was a little keen in the early stages but really knuckled down well to run on late for second, finishing within half a length of Divine Thoughts.
She gets a senior jockey in the saddle now with Craig Williams taking over and is likely to enjoy a dream run from the inside gate as she tackles 1400m for the first time.
| 4. Sea Poem (2) J: Craig Williams 58.5kg 55×32 T: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes |
WEAPON CLEAR (4) is a bit of a wet track specialist capable of surprising at good odds.
The son to Shooting To Win did just that when he came out and won fresh at Bendigo last month, finding the front early and making every post a winner to put paid to his rivals by two lengths.
This is his first go around at Sandown, but he’s in nicely with the claim off a good three-week break, Proven on heavy going, he’s worth a look at each-way odds with the gate also working in his favour.
| 4. Weapon Clear (3) J: Caitlin Hollowood 59kg 147×1 T: Dean Binaisse |
NORDIC STRIKE (2) presents an interesting case coming off two place efforts at Sale this prep.
The form from those efforts held up at Caulfield last Saturday in a tougher contest, and it’s helpful knowing he’s seen nothing but heavy tracks in both runs back so far.
The wide ride cost him last time out, but if he can find some cover this time from barrier six and settle in behind the speed, he’ll be hard to hold out when it counts.
| 2. Nordic Strike (5) J: Jabez Johnstone 61kg 63×23 T: Ciaron Maher |
Ciaron Maher appears to have the top two chances in this race, and I’m siding with the daughter of Blue Point, BLUE WILLOW (14) down at the weights.
She finds it tough to win but was very strong to the line here last start over the mile, overcoming a slow getaway and a three-wide position to run on for fourth.
Don’t love the wide gate, but she’s got improvement still to come and the right wet track form to threaten.
| 14. Blue Willow (10) J: Craig Williams 54kg 97734 T: Ciaron Maher |
EMPRESS OF THE SUN (9) gets in nicely at the weights carrying only 53kg after the claim.
The daughter to The Autumn Sun contested a very similar race here last time out where she got right back early around midfield and was strong all the way through the line for second.
Apprentice Jabez Johnstone has a bit of a feel for the mare now, so it will be interesting to see if he settles further forward this time with the gate in their favour.
| 9. Empress Of The Sun (3) J: Jabez Johnstone 56kg 64212 T: Ciaron Maher |
HE’LL RIP (1) competes with the blinkers on again after another three week break between runs.
He has the likable Coeur Volante form to his name which stacks up nicely after that mare went on to win narrowly at Caulfield last Saturday.
The claim helps him at the top of the weights and we’ve seen him go very close on a pair of occasions here at Sandown in the past.
| 1. He’ll Rip (4) J: Holly Durnan 61kg x7423 T: L & T Corstens & W Larkin |