Last week we saw a set of four solid yet dramatic heats of the Sportsbet Sandown Cup.

Some of the results were impacted by incidents in running, but it had far less of an impact on the actual performances of those that made it through to the final.

So what do those performances tell us ahead of Friday’s big one?

The early battle
There’s a pretty big difference in the way some finalists began compared to others. The best times out of the boxes, to the first 20 metres, clearly sit with Double Denim (wearing 5 below) and Pass Mark (wearing 6 below). And they are the type to generally do this. Expect it again.

Finding a spot
At this point with so much of the race to go, it’s time to set up the attack on the initial leaders as they hit the 200 metre mark – basically as they pass the 515m boxes or the first time.

Mepunga Surprise and Lady Wilson started to get into their work here while Pass Mark (wearing 6 below) was maintaining their speed and was further forward. With the speed here of Mepunga Surprise and Lady Wilson, their inside draws in the final are a massive plus. Pass Mark could scoot away.

Cruise control
From the 200m mark to about the 500m, which is well into the back straight, not much happens through this stage. Some go slightly quicker, but it’s the beginning of the test of stamina.

As the numbers suggest, Lady Wilson (wearing 7 below) will be cruising the best of them.

Game on
From the 500m mark onwards this is where staying races change complexion. Pass Mark and Lady Wilson’s time to 600m is similar – around 7L ahead of the rest. Lady Wilson’s (wearing 7 below) last 100m time was better than Pass Mark’s.

Stay Stay (wearing 5 below) will be the fastest finisher in the field but he will be too far back.

Verdict
The Sandown Cup has historically been a race where anything can happen. Drama in running, winners at long odds and even a false start in 2007 resulting in a no-race.

I haven’t mentioned Raider’s Guide who is well in the market, but there was nothing glamorous about his run last week. With the ability and box draw, Lady Wilson is the likely winner.

See this information for every meeting at Sandown Park and The Meadows on our Race Data page.