Sandown Hillside carries a nine-race card on a Heavy 8 on Saturday, with the Group 3 Paramount Liquor Carlyon Stakes the feature in Race 7. Testing ground shapes most of the card, so runners with wet-track form and a genuine turn of foot into the line get the nod throughout.
Race 1 – The Valley @ Sandown Handicap
Selection: Vallice Current odds: TBC (odds subject to change)
Vallice ran on nicely first-up and the step to 1400m should suit a horse that looks for the trip. Commit carries similar improving form and could also relish the extra distance. Judas Tree has franked the form with two solid runs and handles give in the ground, while Glide has already shown he copes with a heavy track.
Selections:
- Vallice
- Commit
- Judas Tree
- Glide
Race 2 – Ladbrokes Switch Handicap
Selection: Cruiserweight Current odds: TBC (odds subject to change)
Cruiserweight ran into a genuine speed last start that didn’t suit, and his previous win came when given a nicer run in transit - he’s better than his recent line reads. Buccleuch is a nice type who backed that up with an eye-catching recent jumpout. Cherish Me is racing well right now, while Nic’s Choice arrives from a yard that’s finding form.
Selections:
- Cruiserweight
- Buccleuch
- Cherish Me
- Nic’s Choice
Race 3 – McMahon’s Dairy Handicap
Selection: Nearco Frod Current odds: TBC (odds subject to change)
Nearco Frod is the one to beat on raw form alone, having strung three wins together, and the step out to 2400m shouldn’t be a concern for a horse racing this well. Think Giant brings a different form line and the extra ground is the query. Smokin’ Romans had a tougher run than the result suggests last start, while Tempesti owns a strong record when the track is testing like this.
Selections:
- Nearco Frod
- Think Giant
- Smokin’ Romans
- Tempesti
Race 4 – EDSA Group Handicap
Selection: First Chorus Current odds: TBC (odds subject to change)
First Chorus is the most consistent runner in the race and a Heavy 8 should play right to her strengths. Justadeel faced a tough pattern last start and should strip fitter second-up this time. Regal Zeus was moderate in two Queensland runs but is capable of better and handles the wet, while Asva was solid fresh and can follow up.
Selections:
- First Chorus
- Justadeel
- Regal Zeus
- Asva
Race 5 – Chef’s Hat Handicap
Selection: Incognito Current odds: TBC (odds subject to change)
Incognito owns the best formline in this field from a previous campaign and a recent trial suggested he’s ready to back it up. Shooting Brake carries useful form from before this prep and was sharp in a recent jumpout of his own. One Day At A Time already owns a win over this course and distance, while Divine Dot copes with the ground and has won three from five.
Selections:
- Incognito
- Shooting Brake
- One Day At A Time
- Divine Dot
Race 6 – Drummond Golf Handicap
Selection: Conscience Current odds: TBC (odds subject to change)
Conscience ran on well first-up and was run down by a rival that’s since won again, which reads well for today. Set Me Loose is lightly raced with upside, had a legitimate excuse last start and trialled well since. Saluted is another building form, while No Limitation has worked well in the lead-up and would be worth following into the market.
Selections:
- Conscience
- Set Me Loose
- Saluted
- No Limitation
Race 7 – Paramount Liquor Carlyon Stakes (Group 3)
Selection: Cavalry Girl Current odds: TBC (odds subject to change)
Cavalry Girl is the one to beat, having won three of her last four starts in smart time, and this Group 3 sprint looks tailor-made. Hedged goes well fresh and carries Group 1-class form from last campaign as the main danger. Beast Mode is going to roll forward and could be hard to wind in, while Losesomewinmore has the deepest form in the race to play a minor role.
Selections:
- Cavalry Girl
- Hedged
- Beast Mode
- Losesomewinmore
Race 8 – Dr Sheahan Plate
Selection: Tennessee Bound Current odds: TBC (odds subject to change)
Tennessee Bound is unbeaten in six starts and there’s nothing in this line-up to suggest that changes today - the best formline of the entire meeting. Gold Coast Belle is smart and consistent and looms as the biggest threat to the favourite. Romantic Encounter caught the eye in a recent jumpout, while Carbonados arrives in the race off the back of a win of his own.
Selections:
- Tennessee Bound
- Gold Coast Belle
- Romantic Encounter
- Carbonados
Race 9 – Ladbrokes Hosted Pots Handicap
Selection: Mukhtalif Current odds: TBC (odds subject to change)
Mukhtalif scored first-up last campaign and a good lead-in jumpout suggests there’s more to come fresh into this prep. Furious ran on well himself first-up and should strip fitter for the run. Stay Silent comes from the same in-form yard as our top pick and the testing conditions will suit, while Somewhere has been racing consistently enough to hold safe each-way claims.
Selections:
- Mukhtalif
- Furious
- Stay Silent
- Somewhere
