Two listed events highlighted the program at Sandown on Boxing Day. The meeting was certainly favourable for on-pacers and saw the best lanes on the fresh ground closer to the inside section, clear forgive if you settled back and wide.
Race 4- Hot Diggity Boom 4th (Pink, Navy Blue Silks)
Encouraging first up run from this guy given he was wide the trip and well off the fence in the straight. His last 200m was the 3rd quickest of the race in 11.66 seconds and he produced some nice sectionals from the 600m to the post.
Think the overall race will have plenty of form out of it with Winsome Star and Markdel the other two worth noting from the back of the field.
Keen to see this guy on a more even track and maybe even slightly up in distance.
Sandown Race 4 I Mercurial Lady
By name & by nature 💨 @moodyracingpgm‘s 4 YO mare clinches her third win of her career after a convincing performance at Sandown 💪
📺 Ch. 78/68, Foxtel 529, Kayo or via our app
REPLAYS: https://t.co/ZIa4a02wC0 pic.twitter.com/fkU5CpJSME— Racing.com (@Racing) December 26, 2025
Race 5- Stage ‘N’ Screen 1st (Orange and Blue silks), Just Jenni 5th (Pale Blue, Purple Diamonds)
This race has gone super with a fast early speed setting up a strong overall time of 1.24.48 which is some 2 lengths inside standard time for this class at the 1400m on the Lakeside.
The winner Stage ‘N’ Screen has put in a big effort to win and although she had the right run stalking a hot speed, there was plenty to like from a clock perspective. Her 400-200m split was 10.89 seconds (15th best of the meeting) and showed that she can sprint off a strong tempo, indicating she’s got genuine talent. She can continue to win as she go through the grades on the basis of the sectionals and speed data here.
The other runner worth nothing was Judge Jenni who was further back than Stage ‘N’ Screen in run and found the line well despite hitting a flat spot when they sprinted for home. Her last 200m of 11.85 seconds was impressive late being the quickest of the race and her finish here off a strong tempo suggests going to 1600m will be no issue for her going forward.
Sandown Race 5 I Stage ‘N’ Screen
Stage ’N’ Screen chases down the leader to score following a late betting plunge in the first leg of the quaddie 🌟
📺 Ch. 78/68, Foxtel 529, Kayo or via our app
REPLAYS: https://t.co/ZIa4a02wC0 pic.twitter.com/S4YoVQMQ4U— Racing.com (@Racing) December 26, 2025
Race 6- Nadal 2nd (Navy Blue, White Spots) , Cilacap 7th (Black, White Vee, Red Sleeves)
Hedged has won with authority in the Christmas Stakes and ran a good time in 1.10.48 seconds for the 1200m, he’s threatened this prep to put a complete performance together and with a good pace in front and right run in transition he was able to show his best. This could be the turning point for him and see him elevate to a better level again, but my gut feel is this was his birthday and he may struggle now to replicate this run as he is a horse with a few quirks.
Two horses out of the race going forward I’m keen to follow are Nadal and Cilacap. Thought the run of Nadal indicated he’s back on track after some just performances at his last few starts; he’s a horse on his day with clear group class talent and think his splits here late indicate he’s ready to win next start in similar grade.
Cilacap was big from the back of the field, she was unsuited against the pattern of the day but also isn’t a short course horse and was coming back from a decent break. Given all that this was a terrific effort to be closing off so well. Her 600-400m split of 11.17 seconds was one of the best of the day and was race fastest and indicates to me she’s comeback in great health.
Sandown Race 6 I Hedged @HTCoffey takes home Hedged in the Christmas Stakes, securing his second victory in the race a decade later 💪
📺 Ch. 78/68, Foxtel 529, Kayo or via our app
REPLAYS: https://t.co/ZIa4a02wC0 pic.twitter.com/X022ORKMrf— Racing.com (@Racing) December 26, 2025
