By Jason Adams
While we await for fields to be published (Wednesday morning) for Friday’s culmination of the Trilogy at Sandown Park, it gives us a chance to hone into the big one – the Group 1 Sportsbet Sandown Cup.
It’s a race that’s had a chequered past, from Bold Trease’s four-peat, the famous no-race in 2007, drama in running and icons like Sweet It Is, Fanta Bale and Tornado Tears getting the job done. It’s had it all.
In conjunction with Betsy, here’s a look at each runner in the 2026 edition.
Click here for last Thursday’s Race Data
1 – Mepunga Lara (Jeff Britton)
She was runner-up to Without A Trace, which on face value looked a big run from where she came from. We have to remember, this was clearly the slowest heat with some interference up front. She had a relatively clear run and set a time that’s moderate in this class, plus we should add consideration to her run prior where she was tame. Despite this good draw, she must go faster than she has been to have a chance to win it.
2 – Without A Trace (Peter Presutto)
Ignore the time she ran last week, she was put off her game early and had to get off the canvas to win. She begins well generally, but the speed map helps her further with moderate speed in box 1, then minimal speed in 3 and 4. She has a flat spot mid-race, but if they don’t muck her around during that then she should win the race. In my eyes she’s still the best stayer in Australia.
3 – Power Squeeze (Jason Thompson)
He’s got no pace whatsoever in the first half of the race, then really gets moving in the second half. There’s no if, buts and maybes with him – the first sentence is what he’s going to do. With some of these rockets up front, he shouldn’t catch them. If there’s any argy bargy up front then he’s a threat. But, it’s a big if.
4 – Magpie Hector (Jack Smith)
I don’t like him from the draw. He loves to hook wide around others, while he’ll eventually get to a nice spot, it’s what he gives up in the process is the issue. The dogs on his outside are certain to outpace him early and cut across. I’m not prepared to say he can’t win, but it’s going to be very hard.
5 – Ayden’s Warrior (Jason Thompson)
He’s played the role of ‘best of the rest’ for a while now. He’s damn good, but seems to find himself a shade off the others in the big moments. Amron Toy on his outside isn’t great for him, Without A Trace on his inside isn’t awesome either. I can’t build a strong case for him to win or lose, but only a career best effort is going to be enough to win.
6 – Amron Toy (Brett Bravo)
He’s extremely unlikely to win the race, but he can have a massive say on it. After one lap he’s probably the fastest dog in the field. The quirk is, his endeavour to do it varies. Despite his potential to take off early, he still lacks strength compared to the others in the closing stages.
7 – Vodka And Ice (Caroline Hughes)
He’s a little bit like Ayden’s Warrior but not as good, very handy but a shade off the top echelon like Without A Trace and Magpie Hector. An inside draw was going to be crucial to him winning this, he doesn’t have it, so expect a good honest performance without looking like a winning chance at any stage of the race.
8 – Electrify (Greg Doyle)
He’s the fastest dog here, no doubt about it. It’s the racing habits, intangible class and the box draw that has him on the ropes. He’s pretty keen to get on the rail and from the draw it’s not going to be easy. He’s going to turn it on at some point but I just can’t map out a way where he gets clear to do his thing. To me it’s going to be too hard.
Selection
I can’t go past Without A Trace. She’s highly likely to begin fast, what happens during that flat spot is a small concern given what we saw last week, but I don’t consider that enough of an issue to not be getting behind her. I think she’ll win.
Electrify (3) defeats Power Squeeze (7) and Magpie Hector (2) in Heat 1 (41.565)
Ayden’s Warrior (1) defeats Vodka And Ice (2) in Heat 2 (41.588)
Without A Trace (1) defeats Mepunga Lara (8) and Amron Toy (2) in Heat 3 (42.007)
