The racing spotlight shifts to Sandown this weekend for the running of the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes meeting. The Group 1 Oakleigh Plate, Group 1 Futurity stakes, and a host of other Group and Listed events support the two-year-old feature. Find out who our experts are tipping to take home the cash on this monster racing program!
Sandown Race 6
#2 Emissary
Emissary can run well here, resuming. His impressive barrier trial leading into this event will have him cherry ripe for a first-up tilt. The Kingman gelding should get a soft run in transit from barrier two, and I expect him to be in the finish with even luck. Watch for his powerful turn of foot late.
The Melbourne Cup Champion Gold Trip will start favourite after a career-defining campaign. He very rarely runs a bad race, and if he is forward enough, he will be thereabouts. His first-up record, and stats at the distance, are the primary concerns. Bigger races await.
No Compromise produced an eye-catching run fresh. His second up record must be respected, and if he can stay in touch with the leaders early, he can figure in the finish. He may need some luck from barrier ten, and I’d prefer to see him race over 2000m and beyond.
Suggested Bet: Emissary @ $4.50
Sandown RACE 7
#12 Steel City
Sandown Race 8
#2 Alligator Blood
Great edition of the Futurity Stakes!
Alligator Blood is clearly the best 1400m horse lining up here. His recent barrier trial will have him ready to win first-up, and I won’t be surprised if this is his main autumn goal. From an inside draw, he will jump, control the tempo, and prove hard to run down.
I’m Thunderstruck teases more than my Mrs! He always runs home well without winning, and he always looks unlucky in running. I would prefer to see him third-up from a spell over a mile, and I don’t think Sandown suits the big fella. That said, he is untapped, has a massive turn of foot, and is the field’s class runner. One win from his last twelve starts is the biggest concern.
Nugget was ultra-impressive last start in the C.F. Orr Stakes. He had the fitness edge on several of his rivals and loomed to win halfway down the home straight. He got the tick of approval against the country’s best weight-for-age runners, and he can figure in the finish again on Saturday.
Suggested Bet: Alligator Blood @ $4.00
Sandown Race 9
#13 I Am Me
I Am Me deserves a shot at Group 1 glory after putting four consecutive wins together. She has been crunched since markets opened up, and she truly is a mare in form. The daughter of I Am Invincible runs blistering sectionals, and she looks well placed here with 52kg. From barrier one, Jamie Kah can push forward and control the tempo or box seat behind the leaders. She is versatile, and I expect her to be in the finish with even luck.
Uncommon James was good first up from a spell returning from injury. He will strip fitter second-up, and he drops 4.5kg under handicap conditions. Barrier fourteen isn’t ideal, and he will need to handle Sandown better than he did at his recent outing.
Asfoora is building an impressive career record. She has only had her colours lowered twice, and she should get a gun run from a middle gate. Her win at Flemington during the spring was first-class, and she will look the winner if she is left alone in front.
Lombardo isn’t the worst $50 pop going around on Saturday. The one-time Everest-bound galloper has had horrible luck with injuries, and if he is sound, he could surprise fresh on Saturday. His trials leading into this have been rock-solid.
Suggested Bet: I Am Me @ $6.00
