Sandown hosts Saturday Racing on The Valleys behalf this week and its a nice program too with a healthy nine race card. The Carlyon Stakes over 1000m is a good race (Group 3) and the in-form Calvary Girl is the favourite for Tom Dabernig. The track is currently rated a Soft7 and showers are expected on the day. Race one starts at 12:30pm (AEST) and my three best bets of the day are below.
Brendan Bunworth brings you his Sandown best bets for the day below as well as his Quaddie selections!
Sandown Racing Tips: Saturday, August 22nd 2026
Race 4: Edsa Group Handicap 1500m - 2:15pm (AEST)
(5) First Chorus gets the nod again and he owes us nothing having backed him to win previously. Lindsay Smith has this guy flying and has kept him in moderate grades so far. He was favourite at Caulfield Heath last start and won well defeating Detonator Jack over the 1800m. He drops in distance but gets a claim with Emily Pozman on. He won over the mile on July 25 so he has won over similar distances before. On that occasion he settled 2nd. Should be close to the speed again.
(3) Craig is second up and will be better for the run after finishing last at Flemington last start. He drops in weight (1.5kg) and has Blake Shinn on who is one of the best. He won’t want any rain on the day.
(6) Justadeel has drawn inside after returning from Sydney where he was 4th at Rosehill. He has had 3 runs at this track previously and has Placed on all occasions.
(5) First Chorus - WIN
$2.90 (2 units)
Race 8: Dr Sheahan Stake 1300m - 4:45pm (AEST)
(2) Tennessee Bound is 6 from 6 and I think she wins again for Ciaron Maher. Jabez Johnstone is 3 from 3 on top and from barrier 5 he should take the mare to the front again. She has had a small freshen up since winning over the 1100m at Caulfield last start and the 1300m should be of no concern. Slightly up in class here but unless another horse really takes her on in front, she should go close.
(7) Gold Coast Belle will be about 3 or 4L behind Tennessee Bound on the turn I reckon but she does have a good turn of foot. She won 3 in a row to finish off last campaign so it will be interesting to see if she is fully wound up first up. Logan Bates rides and carries 1.5kg less.
(10) Victorious Spirit is first up and has trialed up well behind Sheza Alibi (4th). He has raced in harder races than this and will get out beyond 2000m in a couple of months.
(2) Tennessee Bound - WIN
$2.80 (2 units)
Race 9: Ladbrokes Hosted Pots Handicap 1600m - 5:15pm (AEST)
(5) Makdane has very good form on Soft tracks and the on-pace runner has drawn well (6) to settle in the top 4 again. Craig Williams is on and the consistent gelding has won 3 races over the mile which is his favourite distance. Has placed twice here and the Each-Way odds look nice.
(11) Furious has drawn well in 3 and can use the barrier to his advantage if he jumps better. Rises in weight but Blake Shinn is a handy appointment.
(7) Mukhtalif is first up and has won in a similar class previously. Has barrier 17 though which is a worry.
(5) Makdane - Each-Way
$6.00/$2.30 (1 unit)
Quaddie Tips
Leg one: 1, 3, 11, 14
Leg two: 1, 5, 7
Leg three: 2, 3, 7, 9
Leg four: 5, 7, 8, 11
