Brett Honey’s Sandgroper Night Preview
Brett casts his eye across the main races at tonight big meeting at Cannington’s – including the Group 1 Sandgroper (r5).
Race 2 – Claude Powell Final (520m)
A small but select field in the 2026 Claude Powell sees 3 of WA’s most promising young sprinters do battle. Undefeated Choosing Texas (box 2) is the favourite and has met every challenge in his career to date and looks a near certainty to lead in this. A repeat of his 29.64 effort last Wednesday would see him go all the way.
Sunset Caligula (box 1) and Sunset Clarice (box 6) are the only dangers. Sunset Caligula will be suited to the inside, however, will be conceding a start to the hot favourite. Sunset Clarice could go with Choosing Texas early but would need to lead to win this.
I’m expecting Choosing Texas to go all the way, however I’m happy to let him go at the $1.60 early quote.
No bet
Race 3 – Autumn Maiden Classic Final (520m)
This Maiden Classic final is one of the most interesting races on the card, with the David Hobby trained Amron Boy/Sunset Wildfire litter setting the track alight on heat night last Wednesday. Gideon Monelli (box 5) is your early favourite after leading all the way in 29.48 in his heat. Littermate Stan Monelli was also impressive, winning his way through in 29.61. Whilst their talent is unquestioned, the main concern will be how well they can handle a field if they don’t find the arm, given some of the litter have looked quite green in fields trying to navigate traffic.
That being said, I think Gideon Monelli can find the arm and I was surprised at the $2.60 early quote. I marked him $1.95 but being a maiden, I would want $2.30 at least to jump on. Stan Monelli is an obvious danger, but at this stage is a couple of lengths off Gideon time wise and has the same questions with the map. Margi Jean (box 2) and Aston Beyond (box 4) look to be the only other dangers.
Bet: #5 Gideon Monelli
Race 5 – The Sandgroper (Group 1, 520m)
Once again, the Sandgroper field has delivered a cracking field that could well be the best we see in Australia this year, and the race is fully deserving of it’s Group 1 status. A credit to all involved.
Distinction (box 3 – pictured) is the favourite at just under $3 and is sure to be popular with his breathtaking early speed where he has led in his last six starts. His 29.38 effort at Sandown last start, including a silly 4.92 first section, was a tremendous effort on a rain-soaked track and will take all sorts of stopping should he skip away up the back. Canya Mayhem (box 2) will be a critical runner in regard to the map. The Melbourne Cup winner has not begun as well in his last three starts and notably lost the turn at Cannington on Perth Cup heat night, despite trialling the week before. It’s unlikely he holds out Distinction early and this could make the race tricky for those drawn outside him.
Winsome Jet (box 1) did a lot right without winning during the Perth Cup carnival and is a clear winner of the box draw being inside Canya Mayhem. He was tradesman like from box 8 at Wentworth Park last start and he’s every chance to run down Distinction if close enough. At $4.60, he looks a bet to me.
Deadly Avenger became the first dog to win the Perth Cup/Sandgroper double last year, however he will need to be faultless from box 7 to land close enough. His proven record on a track that is foreign to a large portion of this field makes him a chance with any luck on the first bend.
The box draw was not kind to the locals with Our Ozzie Salute (box 4) and Miss Envy (box 6) needing all sorts of luck to find themselves in a winning position.
There’s no room for error in this stunning edition of the Sandgroper. I’ll lean to Winsome Jet to land his maiden Group 1 triumph.
Bet: #1 Winsome Jet
Race 8 – The Sunchaser (520m)
The year’s Sunchaser sees Victorian sprinter Valenzuela from box 1 take on the regular Saturday Free-For-All customers. The Melbourne Cup finalist led all the way in his last start at Sandown, also from box 1 in a time of 29.54 which is on the steady side for him. He will also have to contend with the fast-beginning Pam Keeping (box 2) who could cross him early.
Iconic Jet (box 8) is the early favourite in betting but looks a huge risk from the outside. His form has been patchy in recent weeks and will be stuck outside Tarawi (box 7) early. Iconic Jet is a dog you want settling forward to be chance and there’s too much speed in this race to be a betting proposition at the sub $3 quote.
Tarawi (box 7) may not run the times of his opposition, however he can handle wide draws and is every chance to cross again here. If he finds the front, there is a chance the main two in Valenzuela and Iconic Jet are buried back and it could be Tarawi who steals the Sunchaser.
Frogs Monelli (box 3) is another who is prominent in early betting. He is a mustering type and I’m not sure how well he will handle the early pressure in this race and would need to be leading to win.
The Sunchaser will be a cracking support race to the Sandgroper, and I’m hoping Tarawi can produce a minor upset.
Bet: #7 Tarawi