The Melbourne Autumn Racing Carnival is right around the corner, and we’re set for an early look at the current two-year-old crop this Saturday on Blue Diamond Preview Day.
Ten races have been assembled on the Lakeside track at Sandown, including the two Listed features for the colts, geldings and fillies, and the $200,000 Group 3 Manfred Stakes between the sprinters.
To help you pick a few winners, we’ve run the rule over the entire program in our preview below.
Race 1 - 12:15PM ti Home Improvement Centre Handicap (1400 METRES)
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No. 3 Eugenius
Eugenius is worth another look with Tom Prebble sporting a 3kg claim.
The pair weakened badly last start at Flemington over 1400m, which was almost expected after being passed to race following a pre-race incident.
A son to Magnus, his previous form includes a handy win at Sale where he was strong all the way to the line after adopting a front-running position to make every post a winner.
In a race that lacks clear early speed, similar tactics appear likely on Saturday.
Race 2 - 12:45PM Sportsbet More Places Handicap (1600 METRES)
Race Starts in: Race Finished

No. 1 Sir Atlas
Sir Atlas gets in nicely with 3kg off under Ryan Houston.
The six-year-old Irish raider was solid in defeat behind The Open fresh at Ballarat over 200m shorter last month, a solid form race that has produced a handful of winners since.
The wide gate was against him second-up at Pakenham where he was entitled to finish down the order, beaten 3.7 lengths in the end.
Drawn a much softer barrier this time and proven over the mile, he looks well-placed to make amends third-up in a race that presents a few chances.
Race 3 - 1:20PM Sportsbet Blue Diamond Preview (C&G) (1000 METRES)
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No. 3 Menshevik
Menshevik’s latest hitout at Pakenham bodes well heading into his debut in the Colts and Geldings Blue Diamond Preview.
The two-year by Russian Revolution was a narrow second behind Saturday’s rival Olatunde, only asked to pick up late over the final 50m where he charged the line to miss out by a nose.
He landed up on the speed that day under Daniel Moor, and with Damian Lane taking over for his first ride, a similar plan to set up shop close to the speed would likely see the pair hard to hold out.
Race 4 - 1:55PM Sportsbet Blue Diamond Preview (F) (1000 METRES)
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No. 1 Miss Celine
Miss Celine should have her fair share of admirers on return for the Hayes Team.
The Magnus filly was nothing but class when she took out the Debutant Stakes last year at Caulfield, swooping in late down the outside to smoke the line for a very late win.
We know she’s armed with a serious turn of foot, and that was on display again recently in a jumpout at Werribee. With Mark Zahra piloting now, it’s worth taking the $8.50 price on offer at publish in Blue Diamond Preview betting on the fillies’ edition.
Race 5 - 2:30PM Tile Importer W.J. Adams Stakes (1000 METRES)
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No. 2 Mrs Chrissie
Mrs Chrissie has been given a nice four-week gap between runs ahead of her second start at Sandown.
We last saw Ciaron Maher’s contesting the Xmas Stakes on Boxing Day at Caulfield Heath where she just found Ashford Street one better off a tricky wide run in transit.
Despite being the beaten favourite, she showed some nice late speed in the process and is likely to find the slight step back to 1000m more than ideal.
If she handles the extra 2.5kg, she’ll be difficult to hold out over the final stages.
Race 6 - 3:05PM Live Life Foundation Handicap (2100 METRES)
Race Starts in: Race Finished

No. 4 Perfect Play
Perfect Play could be the one set to peak in a wide-open race between the stayers.
The European raider has finished outside the money in both attempts since resuming, although it’s worth noting the mile first-up was always short of her best, while she also had a wide gate to overcome last start at Mornington.
Barrier 12 is against her again here, but she does receive a boost with the in-form Tyler Schiller stepping into the irons carrying only 57kg.
Fitter now and proven over this trip, she should be in the mix if she doesn’t spend too many tickets getting across early.
Race 7 - 3:40PM The Mary Bell (1600 METRES)
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No. 10 My Brothers Keeper
My Brothers Keeper won here at Sandown on the Lakeside track last August and really hasn’t missed a beat since.
The five-year-old by Fiorente resumed from a lengthy spell a fortnight earlier at Flemington where he went down swinging after being held up badly along the rail over 1400m.
The rise to the mile suits now second-up and he likely won’t know himself carrying 4.5kg less. Capable of racing in all conditions, he should be making his presence felt over the late stages with clear air.
Race 8 - 4:15PM Evergreen Turf John Dillon Stakes (1400 METRES)
Race Starts in: Race Finished

No. 2 Aztec Ruler
Aztec Ruler loves these middle-distance sprint races, as we saw a fortnight ago at Flemington when he returned from a let-up to grab second in the Group 3 Standish Handicap.
The West Australian raider has done a stack of racing over the last six months, but continues to hold his form nicely having found the money in three of his seven starts.
How he handles Sandown for the first time is the big query, but as a dual Stakes winner, it’s no real surprise to find him as the favourite.
Race 9 - 4:55PM Tile Importer Manfred Stakes (1200 METRES)
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No. 2 Odinson
Odinson is a talented first-up performer resuming for Ciaron Maher.
It’s fair to say we haven’t seen the best of the three-year-old just yet, although we did get a taste when he came out and won by over 2.5 lengths at Doomben last August, before being quickly sent back to the paddock.
The son of Night Of Thunder has been given a lengthy gap between runs to get him ready for the autumn, and although this 1200m Listed race is a tough test to face first-up, there’s no questioning his class and ability.
Off a recent jumpout win at Bendigo, he just needs to offset the wide gate early and find cover to be a serious danger.
Race 10 - 5:35PM Nick Johnstone Real Estate Handicap (1200 METRES)
Race Starts in: Race Finished

No. 8 Sunshineinmypocket
Keen to have something on Sunshineinmypocket on the back of a very fruitful maiden prep last year.
Ciaron Maher’s gelding by Proisir claimed three wins from four starts, seeing his unbeaten run come to an end in the Bendigo Guineas last time out where he was never afforded a clear run at the top of the straight.
It’s been nine or so months between starts, so he could need the run. But in well at the weights thanks to the claim, his talent and class should see him right in the mix in a tricky betting race to wrap up the day.
Tips, recommendations and commentary are for entertainment only. All prices are Fixed win odds. We provide no warranty about accuracy or completeness. You should make your own assessment before placing a bet. Odds are correct as of 14/02/2025 01:15:15am AEST and subject to change.