Black type preview: Sandown

Humidor well-placed

G2 Quayclean Zipping Classic, $300,000, 2400m

The conditions of the race suit Humidor (NZ) (Teofilo {Ire}) well and he is coming back from a Group 1 test in the Mackinnon S.

He had previously finished fifth in the G1 Caulfield S. and fourth in the G2 Moonee Valley Cup so his form reads pretty well for him dropping back in class.

His stablemate Southern France (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) didn’t appear to stay the trip in the G1 Melbourne Cup and he is a 2400 metre winner in Europe so he gives Ciaron Maher and David Eustace a strong hand.

Chapada (Bullet Train {GB}) has improved with each run this preparation and with a middle distance run under his belt he appeals as one for better value.

Miss Siska (So You Think {NZ}) was runner-up in the G2 Matriarch S. and if she gets the distance she will be an obvious chance, while Ventura Storm (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) is a hardened stayer and couldn’t be discounted over a trip he has won over.

Colt to strike again

G2 Ladbrokes Sandown Guineas, $250,000, 1600m

Banquo (Written Tycoon) is progressing well and came off a maiden win to claim the Listed Hilton S. at Flemington during the carnival.

He accounted for a competitive line-up and with trainer Danny O’Brien’s stable in such good form the colt warrants support again.

Conqueror (Fastnet Rock) gave a strong account of himself when sixth in the G1 Caulfield Guineas and was then third in the G3 Carbine Club S. so his form reads particularly well.

Heart Of Puissance (Puissance de Lune {Ire}) has deservedly earned a spot here after following up a debut win with further success at The Valley. Also in his favour is that he is already a winner over this trip.

Pretty Brazen (Brazen Beau) strung two smart wins together before she ran fifth on a rain-affected track at Flemington and drier ground could see her more of a threat. Defend (Deep Field) streeted his maiden rivals at Cranbourne and on that effort could be a player here at odds.

Top sprinting hope

G3 Kevin Heffernan S., $160,000, 1300m

Home Of The Brave (Ire) (Starspangledbanner) is a talented sprinter who has acquitted himself well in stronger line-ups than this. He faded in the Redzel after making the running, but will find the going much easier here.

There will be interest in the reappearances of the Group 1 winners Hey Doc (Duporth) and Levendi (Pierro). They are returning after lengthy injury lay-offs and have both trialled well so they’re not to be taken lightly.

D’Bai (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) is an interesting runner and his first appearance since failing in the G1 All Aged S. so it will pay to keep an eye on the Charlie Appleby-trained runner. His fresh form is excellent with four wins off of breaks.

Ringerdingding (Sebring) has changed stables since last racing, he is now with Anthony Freedman, and a major talent at best so a bold showing wouldn’t surprise. Order Of Command (Squamosa) is genuine and one to consider for multiples.

Mare to hit top note

G3 Ladbrokes Sandown S., $160,000, 1500m

Music Bay (Choisir) started her campaign off in encouraging style with consecutive third placings and was then unplaced in the G3 Tesio S. at The Valley. A return to a bigger course might well bring out the best in her.

Widgee Turf (Turffontein) rarely runs badly and while he was unplaced in the G1 Toorak H., this is more his style of race and he should be thereabouts as usual in this company.

Manolo Blahniq (NZ) (Jimmy Choux {NZ}) is finding it hard to break through, but is racing well enough and wasn’t far away in the G3 Chatham S. at Flemington. Gold Fields (Churchill Downs) won the Listed Sale Cup at his last appearance and a similar effort makes him a worthy contender.

William Thomas (Nicconi) beat the Group 1 winner Lyre (Exceed And Excel) earlier in the spring, so that’s an excellent form reference, and his recent efforts have been solid. An upset seems unlikely, although Vassilator (NZ) (Zacinto {GB}) would be in the mix if he finds his best.

Sweet Summoned prospect

G3 Le Pine Funerals Summoned S., $160,000, 1500m

Sweet Scandal (Sepoy) won in Sydney before shifting focus to Melbourne and she has performed well in both starts. She posted Group 3 third placings in the Northwood Plume S. and in the Maybe Mahal S. so she’s a leading contender.

Stablemate Noire (Foxwedge) was sixth in the G1 Empire Rose S. and a similar performance would take her close while an easing of the track would bring Jamaican Rain (Manhattan Rain) into favour.

Jentico (Written Tycoon) faces her toughest test, but she has won her last two so is sharp and ready. Fidelia (Not A Single Doubt) was in good touch before the Empire Rose, in which she was unplaced, and could be afforded another chance.

Platinum Angel (Snitzel) was fourth in the greys’ race at Flemington and prior to that wasn’t far away in the Northwood Plume. She could be worth a second look at odds.

Plein Ciel gets nod

G3 The Big Screen Company Eclipse S., $160,000, 1800m

Plein Ciel (Ger) (Mamool {Ire}) got a long way back in the Listed Cup Day Plate at Flemington and made ground strongly for fifth, only 1.25l off the winner. If he can keep closer order, he might be in for a major pay day.

Setting Sail (GB) (Dansili {GB}) has a tidy record with four wins from nine starts and while he hasn’t raced since August that shouldn’t be a concern. He has proved effective off a break before.

Savaheat (NZ) (Savabeel) won over this trip during the Flemington carnival and he continues to make impressive progress. Pacodali (Ire) (Paco Boy {Ire}) has 59kg, but he’s a proven weight carrier and lumped 62kg into third in the Kyneton Cup so can’t be discounted.

Danon Roman (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) won well enough in lesser class at Mornington to suggest he could be an outside hope, while Mr Money Bags (Written Tycoon) gave Savaheat a scare last time so on that he’s some sort of chance at the minors again.

Sound top Cup chance

Listed Ladbrokes Sandown Cup, $150,000, 3200m

Sound (Ger) (Lando {Ger}) was a solid seventh in the G1 Turnbull S. before he copped interference when out of the money in the G1 Caulfield Cup.

He was respectable enough when he finished midfield in the G1 Melbourne Cup, this is a major drop back in class and a gilt-edged opportunity to open his Australian record.

Azuro (Fr) (Myboycharlie {Ire}) gave a good account of himself when third in the G3 Hotham H. and has won over this trip. Stablemate Wall Of Fire (Ire) (Canford Cliffs {Ire}) also stays well and was fourth in the G2 Herbert Power.

Haky (Ire) (Muhtathir {GB}) finished eighth in the Hotham, but he’s a chance in this line-up going on his previous run to finish third in the G3 Geelong Cup.

Filly in fine form

Listed MRC 6 Month Membership Twilight Glow S., $140,000, 1400m

Xilong (Deep Field) is building a tidy record and was a sound last-start third in the Listed Desirable S. at Flemington and Palurien (Reset) has two recent lower grade wins to set her up nicely for this.

Sophia’s Choice (Fastnet Rock) is another promising filly in form and was runner-up in the Listed Hilton S. against the boys so she’s better-placed here against her own sex.

Zoujea (Zoustar) is unbeaten in two starts this preparation and ready to tackle stakes company, while Done By Me (Bon Hoffa) was unplaced on a wet track last time out and all of her best form is on top of the ground.

Faatinah rates highly

Listed Clanbrooke Racing Doveton S., $140,000, 1000m

There’s plenty to like about the recent performances of Faatinah (Nicconi) and this represents a much easier assignment. He was fourth in the G1 Moir S. and less than 4l off the winner in the G1 Manikato S.

Easy Eddie (Super Easy {NZ}) is another back in grade after failing to place in the Redzel behind Pierata (Pierro). Thermal Current (Exceed And Excel) is getting on, but his last run fourth at Flemington after bombing the start was a grand effort.

Yulong Yuheng (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) was okay in his Australian debut and could be a sharp improver while Mystiko (NZ) (Sakhee’s Secret {GB}) was unplaced when resuming and should strip fitter here.