Lucrative purses are the order of the day at Sandown on VOBIS Raceday!
I’ve run the rule over every runner and race, and you can find all of my Sandown Tips below.
I’m with El Patroness and her enormous drop in class into the VOBIS Gold Heath.
El Patroness won the Australian Oaks during her 2022 autumn prep, and while she hasn’t returned to those heights, she has returned plenty of competitive efforts in good races.
She steps out this week rock-hard fit and on the short back up from the Queen Elizabeth, and I think this is a far more suitable target for her.
Belle Savoir can return to winning form second up in the Gold Distaff.
The Nick Ryan-trained mare has recorded two wins and a further three minors from her seven previous trips tot the races, and she returned a nice effort to place in the Gold Bracelet at Bendigo when resuming.
With improvement for that effort, I think that this looks the perfect feature for her.
I’m sticking with She Dances when she takes her place in the Gold Dash field.
She Dances won three races in succession, including a VOBIS race at The Valley back in December, and she has improved for two starts back from a freshen up, including a credible fourth in Listed company at Flemington last time.
Fitter third-up, she just needs some early luck in running after drawing barrier 13, but I think that she has a lot of these rivals covered for class.
This is an open edition of the Galilee Final and there is a case to be made for a few of them, including Highland Hill.
Highland Hill has only recorded one win from his six previous starts, but he is a horse that has continued to improve since debuting, and he has acquitted himself well as the bar has been raised.
He steps out this week third-up, and getting out to a mile and a half looks as though it will suit.
At around the $14 mark (at publish), we can have an each way play.
The Sires Guineas looks a great race for Running By.
Running By has only made four appearances at the races, but he has stamped himself as one to watch, and he has improved for two starts back this time, including a head second in the Bendigo Guineas a fortnight ago.
Fitter third-up and out to the mile, I can’t find a reason why he won’t be in the finish, and he is my best bet on the program.
Lombardo hasn’t shown his best in two starts back from a spell, but this is almost certainly the weakest race that he has contested, and I thought the $9 about him at publish was a touch of overs.
The I Am Invincible gelding has always been a good, Saturday metro quality horse, but he went to a new level last year when he won The Goodwood.
He has so far contested the Canterbury Stakes and the Abell Stakes this time in, and this is a far more appropriate target for him.
This is arguably the weakest $1 million race in Australasia every year, but therefore a great opportunity at some prize money for many.
Critique broke his maiden at Ballarat last time out and should take further improvement into The Showdown.
The Written Tycoon colt did show ability at the trials prior to debuting, and his first two starts have suggested he has a future.
He has drawn fairly into this wide-open contest, and I am happy to have something small on here.
Pinstriped is on the short back-up into the VOBIS Gold Mile, and I think he’ll take a power of beating.
He was unlucky not to strike in Group 1 company during his three-year-old prep, and while Pinstriped hasn’t returned to those heights in his two subsequent preps, he has still raced commendably in strong races.
He worked home well to finish just out of the placings in last week’s Victoria Handicap, and he relish getting out to the mile in weaker company this week.
Tough way to end the day, but I am going to have something small on Eagles Crag.
Eagles Crag has returned a couple of fair efforts to finish fourth in a couple of similar races here at Sandown this time in, running into some quality opposition.
This is arguably the weakest task that he has been set, and he looks ready to do something third-up.