The Sandown Stakes is a Group 3 event held at Sandown racecourse in Melbourne, the same day as the Sandown Classic and Sandown Guineas. It is held on the Saturday after the Emirates Stakes and is run over a distance of 1500 metres. It is an quality handicap carrying $100,000 in prize money. It is the last quality sprint race of the Melbourne spring carnival and will attract decent sprinters after one last shot at a Group race.
It was first run in 1981 and upgraded to Group 3 status a year later. It was won last year by Chasm and other notable winners include Titanic Jack (2005), Chong Tong (2003), Another Victor (1994) and Wrap Around (1991). It is interesting to note a 3-year-old has never won this race over the years.
There are no real clear lead up races which have been a real indication of form heading in recent times, with previous winners of the race coming from all over the place. However races such as Emirates Stakes, Carbine Club Stakes and Chatham Stakes are similar kind of races, with runners who perform well likely to back up well again in the Sandown Stakes.
| Year | Winner | Track | Time | Trainer | Jockey |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Chasm | Dead | 1:31.80 | H Conners | J Benbow |
| 2007 | Gotta Have Heart | Good | 1:24.19 | M Price | S Baster |
| 2006 | Swick | Good | 1:22.00 | B Cummings | L Nolen |
| 2005 | Titanic Jack | Dead | 1:31.53 | T Hughes | N Ryan |
| 2004 | Amtrak | Heavy | 1:27.80 | M Price | G Boss |
| 2003 | Chong Tong | Good | 1:23.57 | L Freedman | B Prebble |
| 2002 | Salgado | Good | 1:22.71 | J Hawkes | D Gauci |
| 2001 | Little Drozer | Good | 1:23.21 | S Fliedner | B Prebble |
| 2000 | Normal Practice | Good | 1:21.41 | D Williams | G Boss |
| 1999 | Buster Jones | Good | 1:21.90 | L Freedman | D Oliver |