2023 Anniversary Vase Day Tips & Preview
Cardinal Gem can win the Anniversary Vase. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos

2023 Anniversary Vase Day Tips & Preview

We’re off to Sandown on Saturday for a quality ten-race program that is headlined by the Listed Anniversary Vase!

You can find my complete 2023 Anniversary Vase Day Tips below.

L.U. Simon Builders Handicap (1000m) – 11:35am
No Bet

Just one of the seven confirmed starters in Race 1 on Anniversary Vase Day has previous experience and there are plenty of debutants prominent in betting.

I can’t find anything that I am particularly confident in and I am happy to stat out of this one from a betting perspective.

Dexion Victoria Handicap (2400m) – 12:10pm
No. 2 Sing For Peace

Sing For Peace takes winning form into the second on Anniversary Vase Day and looks well placed to make it two in a row.

The Tavistock gelding has won three of his last five starts and charged home to score over 3000m here at Sandown last time out.

He’s rock-hard fit and the drop in trip should prove anything of an issue.

Vale Dean Holland (1300m) – 12:45pm
No. 2 Valiancy

Valiancy has recorded two wins from as many starts back this time and strikes another winnable race at Sandown on Saturday.

The Ciaron Maher & David Eustace-trained filly has hardly put a hoof wrong since debuting, recording three wins from her five starts in total and placing on the other two occasions.

This is a rise in class, but it looks the next logical step for her to take, and she’ll just need some luck from the draw to figure in the finish again.

Vale Laurie Larmer OAM (1400m) – 1:20pm
No. 3 Aiming

Aiming puts her undefeated record on the line in Race 4 at Sandown on Saturday and does look capable of winning again.

The Maurice filly stamped herself as one to watch by winning on debut at the Yarra Valley last month, and she franked that performance with a pretty dominant one in BM70 company here last time out.

She has plenty of upside and can make another successful step up in grade.

Listed ANZAC Day Stakes (1400m) – 1:55pm
No. 7 Legacies

This race is rescheduled from Tuesday’s abandoned meeting, and I think that Legacies can record another win.

Legacies has only made one appearance at the races so far, but produced an eye-catching performance to easily win the Cranbourne maiden.

She has plenty of upside and this looks a nice bit of early black type for her.

Pago Zero Cost Eftpos Handicap (1000m) – 2:35pm
No. 3 Katsu

Katsu will take a power of beating second up on Anniversary Vase Day.

The Mikki Isle gelding won two of three starts last time in and returned this time for a bullish win at Sale, in which he greeted the judge almost four lengths ahead of his rivals.

His second up record is faultless and with even luck this week, I think he’ll just win again.

Manhari Metals Handicap (1000m) – 3:15pm
No. 3 Do Ya Punk

Do Ya Punk was scratched from a race on Neds Mornington Cup Day last week and can instead win at Sandown on Saturday.

The Peter Moody-trained returned lovely performances last time in and picked off some nice races, and he returned with a decent effort to fill the minors at Bendigo at the beginning of the month.

Luke Nolen jumps into the saddle this week and I though the $6 about him at publish was a touch of overs.

each way
Listed VRC St Leger (3000m) – 3:55pm
No. 3 Highland Hill

I’m going to stick with Highland Hill in the VRC St Leger.

Highland Hill has continued to strip fitter for the three starts that he has had back from a spell, and I thought he was decent when fourth in the Galilee Final here at Sandown a couple of weeks ago.

I’m keen to see him out to the 3000m for the first time this weekend, but everything that he has done so far suggests he’ll get the trip, and we can have something on each way at current odds ($8 at publish).

Listed Thoroughbred Club Anniversary Vase (1400m) – 4:30pm
No. 1 Cardinal Gem

Cardinal Gem was a dominant winner here at Sandown last time out, and the form out of that race her won, the Victoria Handicap, has been franked.

Cardinal Gem has been an excellent horse for Grahame Begg throughout his career, and each start back this time has been a notable improvement.

He steps out this week in peak order and a repeat of his last performance would find him extremely difficult to beat again.

No Fuss Event Hire Handicap (1300m) – 5:05pm
No. 6 Karalee Rocks

Karalee Rocks takes winning form into the last on Anniversary Vase Day and looks well placed to make it two in a row.

The Lindsay Smith-trained galloper won her first two starts back last time before finishing third in a 1200m race at Ascot, and she was far too good for them at Geelong first up this time.

This will be her first crack at east coast metro company, but I think it looks the perfect opportunity for her.