There have been changes made to Sandown Park’s upcoming May Carnival.
They are led by the Sportsbet Sandown Cup which has been moved from Thursday May 25 to Friday May 26 with the aim of enhancing on-course attendance.
Heats for all three Group 1 events – Sportsbet Sandown Cup, Harrison-Dawson and Sapphire Crown – have returned to the Best 32 format. It avoids the need to have heats with vacant boxes and ensures the depth and quality of each series.
“In the past when we’ve seen them forced to five heats and it can be quite messy – the Best 32 format suits these series’ perfectly. It tightens the depth and makes qualification clear for everyone with the winner and runner-up going through,” said Neil Brown, Sandown Park Chairman.
The Cup Night Stayers (Best 8, 715m) will be run as the Lizrene. The Racecallers and Bill Collins will be run as Match Races on Sportsbet Sandown Cup night.
This means a Speed Star won’t be run this financial year. A Speed Star is planned for August and in an extended format similar to its halcyon days.
“It’s an event that carries a lot of interest particularly in the sport’s target market and we’re keen to reignite its spark. In full flight it’s one of the highlights of the national calendar.”
On a side note the popular 6pm starts on Thursdays will return on April 13 and continue for the duration of the non-daylight saving months.
The club’s next feature event is the Launching Pad on Thursday April 6. Be on track to watch a Robbie Williams and Ed Sheeran tribute show! Enjoy our famous buffet ($45pp), $5 schooners all night, a punters club, pool table and FIFA on PS5 – Click here to book
Dates:
Thursday May 11
Harrison-Dawson heats
Sapphire Crown heats
Thursday May 18
G1 Harrison-Dawson final
G1 Sapphire Crown final
Sportsbet Sandown Cup heats
Friday May 26
G1 Sportsbet Sandown Cup final
Lizrene (Best 8, 715m)
Racecallers (Match race, 595m)
Bill Collins (Match race, 515m)
