Saturday Horse Racing Tips - August 22, 2026

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Sandown Betting Tips for August 22, 2026 - Extragalactic Among the Stars

Alex Marsh

Editor

Last updated: Fri. 21 Aug. 2026 04:15

Alex Marsh 21 Aug. 2026

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Sandown Hillside hosts Saturday’s metropolitan card, with the Group 3 Carlyon Stakes headlining the program
A strong support card provides several appealing betting angles across the afternoon
Rain-affected conditions are expected to play a key role, with our August 22 preview covering the leading chances, value and roughies

Expired

Saturday racing in Melbourne shifts to Sandown Hillside for Carlyon Stakes Day. (Getty)

Traditionally a Moonee Valley program, Sandown Hillside plays host to Saturday's Carlyon Stakes meeting, with the Group 3 sprint headlining a strong card.

Sandown Tips August 22
Ladbrokes Switch Handicap Tips (Race 2)
McMahon's Dairy Handicap Tips (Race 3)
Drummond Golf Handicap Tips (Race 6)
Paramount Liquor Carlyon Stakes Tips (Race 7)
Dr Sheahan Plate Tips (Race 8)

In a big surprise on Friday morning, the track got a significant downgrade to a Heavy 10.

For product analysis, comparisons and ratings of Australia’s leading operators, explore our Bookmaker Reviews.

Sandown Tips August 22

Ladbrokes Switch Handicap Tips (Race 2)

Sandown Favourite - Race 2 No. 5 Cruiserweight

No doubt Cruiserweight was disappointing when attempting to stretch his unbeaten streak to four at Caulfield on July 25, where he started an odds-on favourite after overcoming trouble to score a fortnight earlier.

That followed an Australian debut victory during the Swan Hill carnival, with the gelding having been sold to Australia after bolting in with a maiden in New Zealand on December 31.

Willing to forgive one bad run, particularly given he raced much closer to the speed last time and may have had his finish taken away, having been ridden colder in his previous three victories.

It's also worth noting he was only 14 days between runs there, whereas his previous performances had all come on the fresh side, and he now gets four weeks between runs after winning a Flemington jump-out on August 14 under Mark Zahra, who retains the ride.

This isn't an overly strong race, with second elect Humza Bey coming off a Sale loss, Buccleuch yet to recapture his talented two-year-old form, Cherish Me honest but limited and I Am Velvet perhaps the blowout despite her quirks, so Cruiserweight gets a good chance to bounce back.

McMahon's Dairy Handicap Tips (Race 3)

Sandown Next Best Bet - Race 3 No. 9 Think Giant

Two encouraging Cranbourne jump-outs preceded Think Giant's Australian debut at Caulfield, with that 1700m assignment on June 27 effectively another trial when ridden conservatively under a big weight and making nice ground along the inside from the rear.

He then went up in grade to a BM100 and stretched to 2000m on July 18, sticking on bravely after covering ground in a race won by Saint George, who is rated well above anything he meets here.

The imported gelding now steps to 2400m, having been tried at Group 1 level over this distance in Germany before arriving in Australia, while his previous attempt over 12 furlongs resulted in a Listed placing in August last year.

Think Giant stays down in the weights with 53kg, gets another 400m and, importantly, draws much softer this time around after racing well without many favours through his first two local appearances.

Fellow OTI representative Nearco Frod is the obvious danger after arriving off a hat-trick, but he rises in grade and may not possess the same upside as the Price and Kent Jnr-trained import.

Drummond Golf Handicap Tips (Race 6)

Sandown Roughie - Race 6 No. 7 Vain Champagne

It has been a slow start to the season for trainer Nick Ryan, although the Flemington yard produced a consistent run of good form over the four months prior, returning a positive ROI for punters through April, May, June and July.

His last metropolitan winner came at Caulfield on July 25 when Doubt Time was backed from $31 into $8 before saluting, highlighting the stable's ability to land one at a price.

Ryan hasn't yet got the best out of Vain Champagne in two runs this winter, with blinkers applied before her latest Caulfield appearance, but she has shown previously that she is capable of producing a big finish.

A spacious one-turn track where she can settle back, find clear air and build momentum should suit, while the drop to 1000m is another positive given her most recent attempt over this trip came at Flemington on December 31 when recording the fastest last 800m, 600m and 400m of the program behind Cavalry Girl.

It's speculative off her current form, but Vain Champagne remains lightly raced and we're getting a big price for the risk in an open event against her own sex.

Paramount Liquor Carlyon Stakes Tips (Race 7)

Sandown Best Bet - Race 7 No. 9 Extragalactic

This may ultimately serve as a tune-up for spring targets such as the Group 1 Moir Stakes and Group 1 Manikato Stakes, but Extragalactic has enough ability to get away with this fresh and the spacious sprint course at Sandown Hillside brings her right into calculations.

Favourite Cavalry Girl is in terrific touch after two dominant all-the-way victories, although she may face more pressure up front here with the speedy Beast Mode and Bazaball Rewarded also capable of working across.

That could set the race up for a closer, and the Trent Edmonds-trained Extragalactic fits that profile perfectly given the turn-of-foot she displayed throughout her three-year-old season.

She was narrowly beaten in the Group 1 Goodwood when appearing to have the Adelaide feature won at just start seven, having previously placed at Group 2 level after opening the campaign with back-to-back victories, including a 3.5-length Pakenham return win when we were on at a generous opening price in BM66 company.

The draw gives Lachlan Neindorf every chance to find his feet off the speed and, if Extragalactic is anywhere near right first-up, she has the class and brilliance to put these away as one of Victoria's more exciting up-and-coming sprinters.

Dr Sheahan Plate Tips (Race 8)

Sandown Value Bet - Race 8 No. 9 Romantic Encounter

Respecting this placement from the Hayes yard with Romantic Encounter, as there are softer options available for a 75-rated galloper yet connections have elected to resume in a strong BM88.

The four-year-old has been gelded ahead of his new season after failing to come up in a short summer preparation that culminated in the Group 1 Australian Guineas, where he wanted to lay out and did himself few favours.

There was clear potential in his first campaign, beginning with a Heavy 9 debut victory at Bendigo in September before a Group 2 placing over the mile in the Stutt Stakes at Moonee Valley, with that preparation ending in the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas.

Romantic Encounter has worked well in two Flemington jump-outs ahead of Saturday's return, settling nicely in each before winning his latest 1000m heat under Daniel Stackhouse.

Stackhouse stays aboard and has ridden 17 winners for the Hayes stable over the past 12 months, and from a good draw he can have the son of Almanzor prominent in the run early.

Verdict

Sandown- August 22

Our Sandown tips for Saturday, August 22 are:

Extragalactic

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Think Giant

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Cruiserweight

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$3.10 - 3 Units

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