Melbourne: Comprehensive preview of every race at Sandown

A COMPREHENSIVE preview of every race for Wednesday’s meeting at Sandown with Ray Hickson.

Mr Wonderful. Picture: Colleen Petch.

NOTE: Numbers in brackets are the official handicap ratings for each horse. Track rated Soft 7 at time of writing, expecting soft 7 - heavy 8 range.

RACE 1

4. CRAVEN IMAGE (NR) is very easy to like after his excellent second here a couple of weeks ago where he sat side and kept coming as the winner gained an easy passage. The mile shouldn’t worry him and he’s drawn favourably this time. Hard to beat. 12. OCEAN GROVE (NR) comes through the same race where he made a little bit of late ground to finish just behind the placings. Wide gate is a big worry for him but he’s right in it on form. 16. ESCHATOLOGY (NR) made an encouraging debut over 1400m though she did gain a saloon run along the rail from the back of the field. Better for the run though and she may well get a few favours again. 11. KAPTIVE HERO (NR) was a drifter in the betting in the same race but he stuck on pretty well to go under less than two lengths. There’s been merit in all three runs this time in and he’s an each-way hope at least. Next best 13. READY FIRE AIM (NR) who was only warming up at the finish first-up and should relish the mile.

RACE 2

3. GUNN ISLAND (63) couldn’t have been any more impressive in winning his Cranbourne debut if he’d put five lengths on them. Drew wide and came from a mile back over 1000m and beat a horse who has been competitive in town. I can only imagine 1300m around Sandown will suit him even more and if he’s as promising as he looks he’ll take stopping. 1. HAVILDAR (64) broke through for a popular maiden win over this course beating Craven Image, who is engaged in the first. He’ll probably have a similar run in transit here from the inside and there’s no reason he can’t feature. 6. URBAN RULER (63) was far from disgraced at Caulfield before a spell and he looked handy on debut scoring at Ballarat. Fresh again and in what looks a competitive race he’s one of the major players. 2. CANALASSO (63) gave punters who took the long odds-on about him on debut at Echuca no cause for concern with a dominant win in the heavy ground. He was certainly too good for that opposition and it wouldn’t surprise if he features here.

RACE 3

4. QUEEN OUIJA (69) atoned for her defeat on the Lakeside course two runs back with a soft enough victory as an odds-on favourite at Bendigo. Racing very well this time in and with the claim she’s not badly placed. No good thing but looks hard to beat. 6. THE DOMINATOR (65) found the line quite well at his first local start at Geelong last week and he probably should have finished a bit closer there too. Looks a bit one paced but with natural improvement he could be dangerous being the fresh blood in the race. 1. SIR LOPEZ (75) has had a hurdle trial since his even third over this course two weeks ago where he seemed to have his chance. Led all the way two starts back and perhaps that’s more his go. 2. MARGIN TRADER (70) found a bit of form third-up when he went down fighting to Refectory at the Sunday meeting a few weeks back. Obviously that form is pretty good now and he should be at his peak. Can give a good account.

RACE 4

Tricky race, preferring those down the bottom of the weights. 11. LEGAL HUNTER (64) made good ground in an on pace dominated race two starts ago then again closed off well here last time. Up just a notch in class but is racing so well he’ll be somewhere in the finish again. 12. HELL ON EARTH (61) finds it a bit hard to win but is never far away and wouldn’t need a lot to go right for him to break through. Was back in distance here two weeks ago and found the line pretty well, down 3kg for the class rise so has to be included in the chances. 9. ELJETEM (68) appears close to a win with a couple of placings on end now and he fought very hard when challenged at Bendigo last time out to go down narrowly. Go well again. 10. DEVERE (66) is an interesting runner who was looking pretty good in his two synthetic wins in July before failing to beat a runner home in his third when one of the favourites. While synthetic to grass form can be mixed at best he might be worth another chance.

RACE 5

2. SAVANNAH MOON (72) will appreciate a significant class drop on her recent runs in Saturday grade. Nice winner three back at Flemington beating a couple of nice mares and she wasn’t disgraced behind Kaniana at Caulfield last time. Prefers the sting out of the ground and should get that here so if she hasn’t trained off she should feature. 16. ZAVARONI (61) is looking for the step up to the mile and there was nothing wrong with her late finish here second-up. Might be able to be closer from a better gate too and she’s one to keep very safe. 5. WINTA CHILLER (68) just does her thing, which is getting back and hitting the line late but often a bit too late. Backed up three days after a narrow defeat over this course to finish just ahead of Savannah Moon at Caulfield and she was ridden a bit upside down, taking off midrace. Definite chance. 13. BONNIE BELLE (63) was going along very nicely before being involved in a fall last month in a similar sort of race. She was well fancied there so if all is in order with her she’s entitled to another chance. Next best 3. DULVERTON (69) and 10. COUNTESS MARINOV (64).

Savannah Moon (yellow). Picture: Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images.

RACE 6

Easily the most interesting runner all day is 11. ARIAZ (66) who was scratched from a fillies race at Moonee Valley Saturday. She was brilliant on debut over this course before a solid second at G3 level in Adelaide. She’s trialled okay and while taking on all comers is not an easy task for this time of year she might well be good enough. 1. ABILITY (72) will be the big stumbling block backing up a week after his easy win at Geelong, where he was always well placed and never looked in danger. He’ll be thereabouts again in the running and should take beating. 2. MANIHI MISCHIEF (69) is fitter for two runs back and wasn’t disgraced behind Hellbent here a fortnight ago after being on the pace all the way. Softer ground is in his favour and he’s close to a win it would seem. Must be included. I think the winner is in that three. If there’s an upset I wouldn’t put it past 8. ROCKETS RED GLARE (64) to blouse them. He has a sharp turn of foot but not a long one and he’s a lot better than his last couple would suggest.

RACE 7

6. MARWOOD (81) is racing in great form at the moment and while up a little in class he was quite dominant in beating Magicus, who started favourite at the Valley on Saturday, at Caulfield at the end of last month. The Duke Of Brunswick/Ulmann form is good enough for a midweek BM90 headed by a couple of stayers and he should run well again. 5. JUNGLE EDGE (82) comes back from a game effort behind Voodoo Lad in a Listed race where he gave a huge sight up in the lead. Slight concern at the 1400m but if his last couple are any guide he’ll take running down. 4. DEL PRADO (86) is good enough to blow them away if he’s in the mood and he’s been freshened up since finishing midfield in the Winter Championship. He’s had a jump out or two recently and if he runs up to his Flemington placing three back he’ll be in the finish. 7. OSCAR’S MY MATE PA (75) is hard to leave out and perhaps he found the 1600m a bit too far last start after back-to-back wins on the Lakeside course. Big weight drop and he’ll be up there for a long way.

RACE 8

1. MR WONDERFUL (78) is in career best form and I see nothing to suggest he can’t make it four straight. He’s been strong at the finish of the mile after sitting on the pace at his last two and he scored over 2000m before that so the trip here is just right. Will go forward and prove hard to catch. 4. RUSTIC MELODY (81) hit a bit of a flat spot at Caulfield a couple of weeks back but picked up late to be just behind the placings in Kaniana’s race over a mile. Extra distance shouldn’t be an issue and she’s well worth another chance. 7. JUSTA HINT (74) was well in the market when an even fifth to Mr Wonderful last time after a solid win on a heavy track in late July. Not sure he can turn the tables from a tricky gate but I can’t leave him out of the hopes. 15. SPANISH LOVE (71) hasn’t raced for six weeks since a fair effort in a much stronger race at Caulfield and she’s more than capable of showing up here. She’s been with Darren Weir a little while now but this is her first run for him. Creates a bit of interest and she can show up on her best form.

RACE 9

9. WALL STREET WOLF (68) has a bit of a rap on him and it’s something of a D-Day now after two wins on the Geelong synthetic track and two solid enough efforts in good Saturday company from his four starts. He’s started favourite at each start to date and if he’s not favourite here it’s a bit of a worry. 5. STORMCRAFT (70) might be back on track with his closing fourth a few weeks back. Didn’t quite measure up in Saturday grade in two previous starts but the way he hit the line over the 1200m on the Lakeside you’d think he’ll be in the mix here. 1. ORIENT LINE (72) ran out of his skin first-up and even with the wide gate and 59kg he commands some respect as he generally improves with racing. Wouldn’t want it too heavy though. 12. POLAR VORTEX (65) came through the grades in good style last time in and wasn’t disgraced behind Tally before a spell. He’s trialled okay without standing out and being lightly raced he can still have some upside. Keep safe.