Feature racing returns to Sandown Hillside on Saturday with the Group 3 Carlyon Stakes headlining the program.
A potential Group 1 launching pad for several sprinters looking further into the spring, this year’s race features plenty of speed with the in-form Cavalry Girl taking on the likes of Ole Dancer and Hedged.
Wet weather during the week has the track rated a Soft 6 at publish, and we could be in for a few more millimeters right through to Saturday.
For comprehensive race analysis and a complete betting strategy at Sandown, see where we’ve landed below!
VALLICE (6) is open to big improvement second-up for Ciaron Maher.
This three-year-old colt to Maurice won over the track and trip during his maiden prep second-up, going a length clear on a very wet track after leading for most of the way.
He was away awkwardly at Caulfield Heath first-up and a long way of the speed in the early stages, but I loved the way he worked home down the outside to run fourth, just under a length off the winner.
Has another wide gate to contend with here and some extra weight, but the class of Mark Zahra in the saddle is a big plus.
| 6. Vallice (8) J: Mark Zahra 57kg 51×4T: Ciaron Maher | |||
| Second run back. First-up after two months 4th of 9 in a 3yo Hcp at Caulfield Heath on August 8 over 1200m, slow going 0.9 len behind Stakes carrying 53.5kg at $7.50. Previously second-up won by 1.0 len at Sandown-Lakeside on June 3 over 1400m in heavy going defeating Meness carrying 55.5kg at $6. | |||
CRUISERWEIGHT (5) is worthy of another chance.
This talented four-year-old trained by the Hayes boys saw his unbeaten run end at Caulfield three weeks ago when he went down as the favourite, overracing early and never really adjusting to a tempo that didn’t suit.
To his credit, he plugged on fairly to finish fourth, but after being caught wide early without cover and forced to settle closer to the speed, this looks like a much more winnable assignment fourth-up with an encouraging jump out win between runs.
| 5. Cruiserweight (7) J: Mark Zahra 60kg 1×114T: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes | |||
| Recent form sound. Last start 4th of 11 in a 3yo Hcp at Caulfield on July 25 over 1400m, slow going 2.5 len behind Lauberhorn with 58.5kg at $1.80. The race before that favourite; settled well back; won by 1.0 len at Caulfield on July 11 over 1400m on a rain affected track defeating Celtics carrying 54kg at $3. | |||
THINK GIANT (9) is preparing for his third run in Australia after finishing four lengths off over shorter at Flemington a few weeks ago.
The four-year-old son to Lope De Vega was slow away and a long way back approaching the turn, but he seemed to find another gear when it mattered from a wide position to close the gap.
We saw him run well over this journey in a Group 1 over in Germany last year, and it’s worth noting he’s only had to starts since last September.
With improvement still to come and plenty of soft track experience, he looks hard to beat.
| 9. Think Giant (1) J: Logan Bates 53kg 35×74T: Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr | |||
| Third-up today and placed third-up previously. Resuming 7th of 15 in a Bm78 at Caulfield on June 27 over 1700m, slow going 2 len behind Stop The Rock carrying 61kg at $11. Second run from a spell ran on from midfield; 4th of 13 in a Bm100 at Flemington on July 18 over 2000m, slow going 2 len behind Saint George with 53kg at $4.60. | |||
JUSTADEEL (6) appeals out over 1500m now second-up.
The Hayes-trained gelding has hardly run a poor race over his 15-start career, and that was again the case fresh at Rosehill three weeks ago when he got right back in the run early, and came home strongly to grab fourth when showing some decent late speed.
His second-up record gets a big tick and he should be able to settle closer to the speed this time with Craig Willims operating from the inside gate.
| 6. Justadeel (1) J: Craig Williams 55kg 320×4T: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes | |||
| Second-up. First-up after four months 4th of 11 in a Bm94 at Rosehill on August 1 over 1300m, slow going 1.5 len behind Carbonados carrying 59kg at $6.50. Previously second-up 2nd of 11 in a Echa Cup at Echuca on March 8 over 1400m, nose behind Hughes carrying 58.5kg at $2.40. | |||
CALAMARI RING (11) is fresh off a decent spell for Ciaron Maher.
Her recent jump out at Cranbourne wasn’t much chop, but it’s hard to overlook her debut win on Champions Day last year when she came out and beat subsequent Blue Diamond winner and Golden Slipper runner-up, Streisand, right on the line.
Not a lot went right for the daughter to Street Boss in the Inglis Milennium back in February, but I’m confident she’s a talented filly in for a big prep.
| 11. Calamari Ring (8) J: Beau Mertens 53kg 1x9xT: Ciaron Maher | |||
| Back from a long spell. Finished off last campaign settled back and ran on when 9th of 16 in the LR Inglis Millennium at Randwick on February 7 over 1100m, 4 len behind Fireball carrying 54.5kg at $5. Won previous preparation first up ran on from midfield and won by a head at Flemington on November 8 over 1000m on a soft track defeating Streisand with 56kg at $5.50. Finished sixth in a Cranbourne jump-out on July 27. | |||
Just feel as though CONSCIENCE (14) isn’t far off putting it all together for Peter Moody and company.
The Snitzel mare hasn’t tasted a win since she was victorious on debut here at Sandown last year, but there was a lot to like about the way she worked through the line fresh over 1200m to start the month, making up a stack of ground from the tail to finish two lengths off Queen Christine.
Really, she only found top gear over her final few strides, so the step back to 1000m is an interesting decision from the stable. With a bit of cover from the gate, she’ll be difficult to hold out.
| 14. Conscience (9) J: Blake Shinn 56kg 820×2T: Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman | |||
| Second run back. First-up after four months 2nd in a small field in a F&M Bm74 at Sandown-Lakeside on August 2 over 1200m, on a slow track; 2 len behind Queen Christine carrying 54.5kg at $4.20. Previously second-up ran second last of 9 in the G3 Manfred Stakes at Caulfield on January 24 over 1200m, 1.75 len behind Space Rider with 55kg at $13. | |||
Hard to go past the talented and equally consistent CAVALRY GIRL (7) in this contest.
Already a black-type winner, we saw her come out and obliterate her rivals by 4.5 lengths at Morphettville two back, backing that performance up a fortnight ago on the Heath track at Caulfield where she opened up a similar gap in another dominant front-running performance.
She’ll look to do her usual trick and lead early from the inside gate this time, and showing no signs of slowing down, this looks like a stepping stone to a future Group 1 tilt.
| 7. Cavalry Girl (1) J: Craig Williams 56kg 21211T: Tom Dabernig | |||
| Last start favourite; scored a big 4 len win at Caulfield Heath on August 8 over 1000m on a soft track defeating Along The River carrying 53kg at $2.80. The run before that favourite; won by 4.5 len in the LR Lightning Stakes at Morphettville on July 25 over 1050m on a rain affected track defeating Yuuki with 57kg at $2.60. | |||
Sticking with TENNESSEE BOUND (2), who proved she was up to Saturday grade when winning only narrowly at Caulfield last month – form that has held up well with the runner-up Behaviour going on to win her next start.
Hands down this is tougher, but I have queries on the very talented Gold Coast Belle over this trip first-up, particularly from the inside gate.
Still unbeaten and in well with the 2kg claim, she’ll be hard to run down as usual.
| 2. Tennessee Bound (5) J: Jabez Johnstone 56.5kg 1×111T: Ciaron Maher | |||
| Recent form sound. At the latest run favourite; won by a head at Caulfield on July 25 over 1100m on a soft track defeating Behaviour with 54.5kg at $1.45. Before that favourite; won by 2.5 len at Sandown-Lakeside on July 8 over 1200m in the wet defeating Zunna carrying 59kg at $2.05. | |||
Not a race I’m overly keen to get involved in, but LOVELYCUT (15) could be the one at a decent price with good recent form to her name.
She’s been unlucky on a number of occasions this prep, looking to snap a streak of runner-up placings that dates back to early June.
The fact two of those runs came here at Sandown bodes well for her chances though, and she’d likely benefit from any extra rain about. Just needs luck from the gate to be a factor.
| 15. Lovelycut (11) J: Jye Mcneil 55kg 20222T: Reece Goodwin | |||
| Form hard to fault. At the latest run 2nd of 9 in a Bm84 at Caulfield Heath on August 8 over 1500m, on a slow track; 1.5 len behind Changing Colours carrying 55kg at $8. Before that raced on the pace when 2nd of 12 in a Bm74 at this track on June 13 over 1400m, on heavy track; 2.5 len behind Thebelmontgangster carrying 60kg at $5. | |||
