Sandown Lakeside hosts Saturday racing in Melbourne on what is a long weekend for many Australians throughout the country. The weather is fine with 25 degrees forecast and the track is rated Good. The first race is 12:15pm (AEDT), and our three best bets of the program and the popular Quaddie are below!
Sandown Racing Tips: Saturday, January 25th 2025
Race 3: Sportsbet Blue Diamond Prelude - 1:20pm (AEDT)
(1) Shining Smile should be winning this but the Spirit of Boom colt will be pretty short in the market at around the even money quote. He is resuming but before his spell he won very well at Caulfield Heath after settling 3rd in the run. From the inside barrier I think he will settle behind the leader again and after a very good jumpout runs at Flemington and Werribee recently, I think he will hook out and be too good over the concluding stages.
(5) Redders is a Danny O’Brien first starter who won a Werribee jumpout on January 17. Liam Riordan takes the ride. Watch market.
(3) Menshevik is a first starter from the Neasham & Archibald yard. Leading jock Damien Lane is on and the owners will be keen for a placing first up because he did cost $150,000.
(1) Shining Smile WIN
$2.10 (3 Units)
Race 5: Tile Importer W.J.Adams Stakes - 2:30pm (AEDT)
(4) Pondalowie is resuming and gets the nod because she does go very well fresh. She has won twice first up and one of those wins was on Dry ground which she will get here. She will get back in this small field which is a slight concern but she might take off earlier than normal so she isn't left flat footed. At Flemington before her spell she was very far back up the straight but was probably one of the best late despite finishing 13th when only beaten 5L. Before that she should have won at Caulfield. Top Hope.
(2) Mrs Chrissie has been getting back her last couple but she has won and finished 2nd in her last couple. Will likely settle a length in front of Pondalowie who may want her back.
(6) Fickle will go forward and will likely settle 2nd in the run. The worry is that they go too hard up front. Has won 4 from 8 starts on Good tracks though.
(4) Pondalowie WIN
$3.40 (2 Units)
Race 9: The Importer Manfred Stakes - 4:55pm (AEDT)
(1) Band Of Brothers was beaten a nose at Geelong after he ran on well over the final 200m. A senior jockey in Damien Lane replaces Tom Prebble and from barrier 4 the consistent galloper should get a good steer. He was over racing a bit at Geelong so the appointment of Lane is crucial so he can settle better. If he does, he should definitely be running top 3 for the in-form Dean Sutton stable.
(6) Wonder Boy is fitter now and also gets a senior jock this time with Mark Zahra hopping on. He has won over this distance previously and might appreciate running in a three-year-old race here. The Good track helps too.
(5) Ndola is 2 from 2 on Dry tracks and before his spell he won well at Hillside after starting fav. The Hayes Team will like to see him midfield in the run I think and will be confident as he has won at this track previously.
(1) Band Of Brothers Each-Way
$5.00/$1.80 (1 Unit)
Quaddie Tips
Leg one: 5, 6, 10
Leg two: 1, 2, 4, 5
Leg three: 1, 6
Leg four: 4, 11, 12, 14
