It’s fair to say there’s plenty to be excited about within tonight’s card at Sandown Park – led by Race 8 the Free-For-All which is unbelievable.

The stars engaged tonight are all expected to be back next week for heats of the Victorian sector of the National Sprint and National Distance Championships – winners of the state finals on August 8 will represent the Big V at Angle Park on Saturday August 24.

Depending on how clear your agenda is, set your alarms and don’t miss the below.

Race 5 (Grade 4, 515m) – 7.43pm

Bernie Burrow (3) – He’s only been beaten by bad draws recently, his last six draws have been 686578. Inside helps, he wants to be in that part of the track and has lethal speed.

Fred Rose (8) – He was a part of last week’s Free-For-All and was never in contention, but as he does still set the fastest run home (10.41, Race Data) time of the night while weaving through dogs.

Race 6 (Mixed 4/5, 595m) – 8.04pm

Transponder (2) – I sense a confidence booster here for last year’s Topgun champ. First up over ‘600’ metres and he’ll handle it well. He hasn’t been settling forward after box rise, but that happens when you’re consistently going around in Free-For-Alls and black type events. Big chance to lead and put a gap on them.

Race 7 (Mixed 4/5, 715m) – 8.28pm

Reiterate (2) – Happy to go out on a limb, get ready for something special. He doesn’t have the biggest ticker, but he’s fast. Carved up early in his past few. Should step well, Black Silencer (1) doesn’t begin rapidly and Groovebird (3) leaves room on the rail. It wouldn’t surprise me if he ran in the vicinity of 41.60 (which is very sharp).

Race 8 (Free-For-All, 515m) – 8.49pm

Not sure where to start here, they’re all worth gloating about – it’s an amazing race. They’ve collectively won 127 races and over $1.6m in prizemoney. They’re all last start winners by a combined margin of 26 lengths, aside from Zipping Hopkins (5) and Afire (6) (who both ran 2nd).

The most noteworthy of them is the powerhouse Hector Fawley (3) who returns to racing after an extended break. He’s been trialling well but is anticipated to peak next week – click here for the latest on ‘Stanley’.

Race 10 (Mixed 4/5, 515m) – 9.36pm

Flying Zulu (1) – His first appearance since he won the $1m Brisbane Cup at the start of the month. He was unstoppable up there, if he brings that back to Melbourne watch out.

Vincent Bale (5) – Bronze medal in the Maturity last Saturday night. His form through that series and prior was good, but this is probably his toughest test yet.

Excavation (6) – He was one of the favourites in the Brisbane Cup won by his mate Flying Zulu. His run last week is worth watching, he was trying to burst through the pack early but Akina Crusader was flooding to the inside which hampered him – he was still very solid after that tussle.

My bests:

Race 5, Bernie Burrow (3)
I think he’ll lead and win. He can run 18.70 (pretty fast) to the back split and the others can’t, so if he gets clear he should be lighting the place up.

Race 7, Reiterate (2)
He’s got x-factor and uncertainty about him but I feel the speed map has him in a position to give us his best, which is very good.