Sandown Guineas

Winners and Past Results

One of the important mile races for three year old horses towards the end of the Melbourne spring racing carnival is the Group 2 Sandown Guineas hosted by Melbourne Racing Club. The event is run under set weights at Sandown Racecourse in November with a tidy sum of $350,000 awaiting the winner. The Group 2 Sandown Classic and Group 3 Sandown Stakes and Eclipse Stakes are also on the day's race card. Free $200 Bet

Horses may consider competing in the Sandown Guineas after finishing strongly in the Group 3 Carbine Club Stakes held at Flemington. The Sandown track suits stronger milers that have the ability to tackle the uphill home stretch that has most often been the deciding factor between top liners and average horses. The 1200 M Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes held at Flemington in October and the 2000 M Group 3 Norman Robinson Stakes at Caulfield may also serve as warm up races. Niagara, runner up in the 2011 Sandown Guineas came into the race after finishing strongly in third place in the Robinson Stakes although he was unplaced in the Group 1 AAMI Victoria Derby in his next start preceding the Sandown Guineas. Third placed Galah had an incredible run leading up to the event, winning the 1400 Listed Australia Stakes at Caulfield and the Group 3 Carbine Club Stakes on his way here.

Better performing gallopers may return after a short spell to tackle a number of group races which could begin with the Group 2 Royal Sovereign Stakes at Randwick or the Group 2 Hobartville Stakes at Rosehill Racecourse in February followed by the Group 1 Randwick Guineas in March. Average three year olds who aren't of Group 1 quality have an opportunity to pick up the pace in the Sandown Guineas to add to their kitty during the spring carnival. Being the last black type event during spring the race could be taken out by a proven champion or a new entrant seeking to make it to the big stage the following year.

The Sandown Guineas began as a listed race in 1957 and was promoted to Group 2 in 1979. Some of the notable winners include Durbridge in 1990, Sedation in 1998, Scenic Warrior in 2000, Dextrous in 2002, and Kidnapped in 2009.

Punters ought to note that the race has favoured geldings over the past decade with 7 titles to their credit which includes So Swift in 2011.

2011 Sandown Guineas

So Swift surprised everyone but his connections in winning this Group 2 event, settling midfield as Niagara set a good pace at the head of the field. As the field began to tire coming into the straight, So Swift was able to take a gap and surged forward, finally catching up with a gallant Niagara and Galah, who came from a long way back early on to look a real chance in the straight. At the post however, it was So Swift by a nose over Niagara , with Galah a half head back in third.

2011 Sandown Guineas result

1. So Swift
2. Niagara
3. Galah

Then came:

4. Highly Recommended
5. Mahisara
6. First Course
7. Covered In Class
8. Amah Rock
9. Kings Shilling
10. Red Rain
11. Westsouthwest
12. Grand Brittania
13. Kobe Queen