The Melbourne Cup Carnival might be done and dusted, but there's no slowing down the spring racing action as Sandown-Hillside takes centre stage this Saturday! A cracking 10-race program awaits, headlined by the $1 million Group 1 C.F. Orr Stakes and the $750,000 Group 2 Zipping Classic, with plenty of quality gallopers looking to finish their spring campaigns on a high.
The C.F. Orr Stakes shapes as a fascinating contest, with Angel Capital and Beiwacht among the leading chances, while Melbourne Cup placegetter Juja Kibo backs up in the Zipping Classic against Caulfield Cup winner Kingswood. There's also plenty of value to be found elsewhere on the card, including a couple of double-figure chances worth following.
We've analysed all 10 races and picked out our best Sandown racing tips for Saturday, November 14th, including several strong winning chances and a few outsiders at attractive odds. The rail is in the true position, with a Good track currently expected, although any rain could shake things up before the first race.
Sandown Racing Tips – Saturday, November 14
| Race |
Best Bet |
Odds |
| Race 1 |
Ichnusa – Win |
$2.60 (2.5u) |
| Race 3 |
Fundamental Nature – Win |
$2.25 (3u) |
| Race 5 |
Milsons Point – Each Way |
$10 / $2.90 (1u / 2u) |
| Race 6 |
Bred ‘Em All – Win |
$3.20 (2u) |
| Race 7 |
Sequinned – Win |
$5.50 (1.5u) |
| Race 7 |
Nishioka – Win |
$18.00 (0.5u) |
| Race 8 |
Angel Capital – Win |
$5.00 (1u) |
| Race 9 |
Juja Kibo – Win |
$5.00 (1.5u) |
| Race 10 |
Concord Connie – Win |
$1.75 (3u) |
Race 1 – Catanach’s Jewellers 150 Years Handicap – 2400m (12:20pm AEDT)
(12) Ichnusa is the most lightly raced runner of the field with four career starts producing two victories which both came last prep. He was seventh in a Benchmark 80 Handicap over 1700m at Caulfield before finishing fourth in a big field over 2000m at Flemington. He found the line really well and the step up to 2400m shouldn’t bother him. Ciaron Maher has had a dominant spring, so let’s hope he can continue here.
(11) Mr O’Reilly looks the leader from gate four with Craig Williams riding and he has done everything except win this prep, running second on three-straight occasions. He was second behind Fiorowngood recently but gets a swing in the weights on that horse which may help.
Best Bet
(12) Ichnusa
$2.60 (2.5u)
Race 2 – MRC Membership Black Friday Sale Handicap – 1300m (12:50pm AEDT)
(12) Karren has only had four career starts for two wins, including a Bendigo victory in a Class 1 Handicap two starts ago. She was then a beaten favourite at Cranbourne when finishing fourth. The wide gate means she may have to work for a position if they roll forward.
(9) Parvenu resumes for the first time since running 10th in the Queensland Oaks. She has won over 1400m, although it was a maiden so this is harder. A pair of jump outs should help her fitness levels and she could run well here.
No Bet
Race 3 – Your Safety Factory Handicap – 1400m (1:25pm AEDT)
(4) Fundamental Nature was simply brilliant at Flemington on Melbourne Cup Day as she was last rounding the turn, almost 10 lengths off the lead. She thundered down the middle of the track to arrive right on the line and defeat Jett Smash. She boasts the best sectionals in this race and the smaller field of nine runners should make it easier for her to sit back and sprint over them. Hopefully the Ciaron Maher and Ethan Brown combination can strike again.
(5) Porter is also a last-start winner, capturing a Benchmark 70 Handicap at Caulfield. He will try and get a break on the favourite as they should be racing at opposite ends of the field with Porter the most likely leader in the event.
Best Bet
(4) Fundamental Nature
$2.25 (3u)
Race 4 – Nationwide Handicap – 1800m (2:00pm AEDT)
(4) Brave Danza is generally a model of consistency with two wins and seven minor placings from 11 starts. He has placed once from two attempts when fresh and tackles 1800m just as he did when resuming during the autumn over course and distance. He gets the slight nod here but very little confidence in a big field with lots of winning hopes.
(6) Geneva was runner up at his first run back from a spell when beaten three-quarters of a length. The former Kiwi likes the sting out of the track so any rain would be a blessing to his chances as he boasts three wins from eight starts on soft ground.
No Bet
Race 5 – Sportsbet Sandown Guineas – 1600m (2:35pm AEDT)
(1) Milsons Point won the Gothic Stakes two runs ago at Caulfield as a $61 chance. He then headed to Flemington for the Springtime Stakes where he ran fourth and was fair. Mark Zahra should be able to land a good spot from barrier two which makes the double figures on offer appealing.
(6) Strong Tempo is unlikely to show that early and will be back in the field from the wide barrier. He won his first two starts before finishing fourth in the Carbine Club Stakes. If the race is run to suit, then he can get home strongly in a competitive Sandown Guineas with plenty of winning chances.
Best Bet
(1) Milsons Point E/W
$10 / $2.90 (1u / 2u)
Race 6 – Evergreen Turf Doveton Stakes – 1000m (3:10pm AEDT)
(8) Bred ‘Em All likes winning early in his career with three victories from five starts. He proved too good at Morphettville to kickstart this prep before a narrow defeat in the Imperatriz Sprint won by Stokke. It was a really good effort that can be built upon here as the gelding will try to be midfield or better. If he maintains or improves his current form, then he is the horse to beat.
(3) Don’t Hope Do has been racing well, in particular his last two starts. Second in the Caulfield Sprint won by Cavalry Girl and then a fourth to Rey Magnerio in the Century Stakes. He should be ready to run a race here.
Best Bet
(8) Bred ‘Em All
$3.20 (2u)
Race 7 – Move To Strike Thoroughbred Club Stakes – 1200m (3:45pm AEDT)
(8) Sequinned was rolled by Lady Catalina in the Red Roses Stakes and will be out for revenge here. Despite being beaten as an odds-on favourite, I still like the way that the filly found the line and we get a much better price this time around, although it is a harder race. Hopefully she gets an economical run midfield and can make a charge at them late.
(14) Nishioka comes out of the same race as Sequinned where she finished fourth, beaten less than a half-length. She is a maiden from four starts but the way she can finish off her races suggests that she can win one soon. Prior to the Red Roses, she was fourth in the William Crockett Stakes, finishing less than a length from the winner. Aroused was second in that event which adds strength to the form line.
Best Bet
Also backing: (14) Nishioka - $18 (0.5u) at OnlyBets
(8) Sequinned
$5.50 (1.5u)
Race 8 – Sportsbet C.F. Orr Stakes – 1400m (4:25pm AEDT)
(3) Angel Capital is prepared by Chris Waller and he captured the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes two runs back. Following that, he tackled The Everest where he finished eighth of 12, beaten 2.67 lengths by Tempted and Ka Ying Rising. The extra trip in a 1400m race is more suitable as the entire has won three times from eight over the distance.
(5) Beiwacht is the stablemate to Angel Capital and will lead with Shadhavar likely to be on his back. He smacked them in the Memsie Stakes four runs ago which was run to suit. At his past two runs, he has been third in both the Silver Eagle and Golden Eagle.
Best Bet
(3) Angel Capital
$5.00 (1u)
Race 9 – Chandon Zipping Classic – 2400m (5:05pm AEDT)
(5) Juja Kibo is having a tremendous campaign for Ciaron Maher, winning The Metropolitan and Moonee Valley Gold Cup before finishing third in the Melbourne Cup. The 2400m is probably more ideal too so he should appreciate the Zipping Classic. The price looks great here so if he can run up to his current form, he is going to be fighting out the finish.
(10) Small Fry is a European stayer that ran second in the Geelong Cup, beaten a half-length by Point Of Law who has since come out and made a statement by winning the Melbourne Cup in emphatic fashion.
(2) Kingswood won the Caulfield Cup almost a month ago and looks a big threat to win again. Whether the track is good or soft, he will appreciate either.
Best Bet
(5) Juja Kibo
$5.00 (1.5u)
Race 10 – Henley Homes Summoned Stakes – 1500m (5:40pm AEDT)
(4) Concord Connie looks the winner on paper but racing is never that easy. Despite not winning in three runs this prep, she has chased home Shadhavar and Lady Shenandoah which are great form lines. The mare really deserves a victory and she won’t get a better chance than this race as she is race fit and has a class edge.
(12) Superfabulistic was a Flemington winner last week who will race on speed. She has only missed a placing once from 10 starts and looks ready to run another good race.
Best Bet
(4) Concord Connie
$1.75 (3u)
