Sandown Preview & Best Bets – Monday December 26

Adam Cusworth

in Bets of the Day 24 Dec 2022

Our form expert provides Sandown tips for today’s horse racing at Sandown Racecourse and gives his best bets.

Sandown Tips 26/12/2022

BEST BET 🏆

Race 2 No. 3 DUNKEL- ($2.35)

Keen to see the return of DUNKEL in Race 2 of the day at Sandown. The Patrick Payne-trained galloper has had the two career starts and won on debut at Moonee Valley over the 1600m before heading to Cranbourne and finishing runner-up in a Saturday race behind Serangoon. The son of Dundeel was back that day and they absolutely crawled before he let loose late in the piece. He comes in with the freshen up and should be suited over the 1800m, while this looks slightly easier.

NEXT BEST 🥈

Race 1 No. 12 CAPITAL THEATRE- ($7)

CAPITAL THEATRE might be worth a play in the opener at Sandown. The Team Hawkes-trained galloper comes down from Sydney and was an impressive winner at Newcastle two starts ago before heading to Canterbury and running 3rd in a BenchMark 72 behind Xpresso. That came over the 1100m and he settled back in the field of seven, producing the fastest last 200m to go 7.9 lengths faster than standard benchmark. That is a better figure than what any horse in this race has produced. He will get back but should get his chance at Hillside with the rail out 3m.

NEXT BEST 🥈

Race 8 No. 14 DIAMONDS IN THE SKY- ($8)

DIAMONDS IN THE SKY can end the day a winner. The Peter Moody-trained galloper has had two runs this time in and showed improvement second up when almost getting the prize at Pakenham. She led that day before being run down late. Wouldn’t mind seeing her take a sit from the wide barrier this time around and worth noting that she is one from one over the 1300m.

BEST VALUE 💰(EACH-WAY)

Race 7 No. 5 FELICIA- ($16)

Nice race with some quality sprinters in action at Listed level. Love the way Jigsaw is going but keen to have something each-way on FELICIA. The new acquisition to the Snowden stable stepped out at Pakenham on December 3 over the 1200m and stuck on well to finish 5th behind Umgawa. Second up last time she was a five length improver on benchmark figures when 4th at Group 3 level in the Bletchingley Stakes (1200m), while she performs well on top of the ground. Worth a play at the quote.