Group 3 racing returns to Sandown this Saturday! The Chairman’s Stakes and the Bellmaine Stakes are the feature events on a mammoth and competitive nine-card program. With autumn in the air, find out what runners our experts have their eyes on.
Sandown Race 6
#3 Daytona Bay
Daytona Bay looks incredibly hard to beat from an inside draw. The gelding by American Pharoah has only had his coloured lowered once, and he seems well placed in this grade. From barrier two, Jamie Kah can give him the run of the race before unleashing his powerful turn of foot. His recent jump-out tells me he is ready for a first-up tilt.
Foujita San has raced at the highest level for most of his career. His form around several Group 1 winners reads well for this event. The 1300m looks ideal fresh, and the colt by Maurice should find a plumb spot in the running line from barrier six. He needs to start converting his consistent form into a winning form!
Conqueror hit the line nicely first-up over an unsuitable distance. He will appreciate the bigger Sandown track, and I expect him to be there when the whips are cracking.
Suggested Bet: Daytona Bay @ $2.60
Sandown RACE 7
#11 Snapped
Snapped was impressive first-up before being luckless at her latest outing. She will appreciate the rise to 1300m, and I expect a peak run here third-up from a spell. The mare by Not A Single Doubt is lightly raced, and she still has plenty of improvement to come. Watch for her late!
Rose Quartz was game in defeat in The Standish behind Snapper. The form out of this race is strong, and she is knocking on the door for a well-deserved win. She looks ready for her first run at a distance, and I expect her to be in the finish from an inside draw. The primary concern is being beaten as a favourite for the major of this campaign.
Vespertine can bounce back after a rare last-start flop. She was well-backed in the market but failed to fire a shot. Her win over Group 1 winner Shelby Sixtysix two starts back reads well for this event.
Diamonds Inthe Sky and Sonora can run well here at a reasonable price. Both are performing exceptionally well for in-form trainers.
Suggested Bet: Snapped @ $4.20
Sandown Race 8
#6 Right You Are
The versatile Right You Are is flying. He has put two wins together, and the form out of these races has been franked with several winners produced since. He has had a little freshen-up since his last victory, and I expect him to be in the finish again with a good run in transit. Ethan Brown has options from the middle gate, and his record at a distance must be respected.
Riot And Rose is coming off a fighting win in the Camperdown Cup. The 1800m looks ideal for this stage of his preparation, and he looks well placed with 53kg. He has been crunched in early markets, and I expect him to make an appearance in the shadows of the post.
Detonator Jack was beaten as a long odd-on favourite last start by the forever young So Si Bon. His run was great without winning, and all his performances in this preparation have been full of merit. He can bounce back here.
Suggested Bet: Right You Are @ $4.80
Sandown Race 8
#6 Riverplate
The winning machine Riverplate steps up in grade with a pep in his step. He has won three out of four starts this campaign, and he deserves his shot in this company. Damien Oliver stays aboard, and from an inside draw, he can continue on his winning ways.
The undefeated St Lawrence faces his most arduous assignment to date. He can win again despite being drawn in the carpark and has been well supported since markets opened up. The five weeks between starts could be his undoing.
Timour can run well at a decent price. He looked luckless first-up, and his second-up runs previously have been full of merit without winning. He has had a trial since his latest outing, and I expect him to be fully wound up on Saturday.
Glory Daze produced blistering sectionals first up. He usually runs well second-up, and I look forward to seeing him flash home late. He looks like a betting proposition third-up.
Suggested Bet: Riverplate @ $5.00
