One of the key support races on the Zipping Classic Day program at Sandown Hillside this Saturday is the 2012 Sandown Stakes and in the current betting markets for the quality handicap the bookies are finding it impossible to split equal favourites Raspberries and Mahisara.

Raspberries is co-favourite to win the 2012 Sandown Stakes this Saturday

Scheduled to run as Sandown Race 5 at 2:50pm (AEST) the $150,000 Group 3 The Children’s Charity Sandown Stakes (1500m) features a final field of a 12 middle distance gallopers, two of which are battling for favouritism.

In the latest Sandown Stakes betting odds the Peter Snowden-trained Raspberries and Paul Messara’s Mahisara are both installed at $4.20.

Lonhro mare Raspberries hasn’t won a race since her Scone Cup victory back in May, the five-year-old last seen running a brave sixth when beaten only a length by upset winner Appearance in the Group 1 Myer Classic (1600m) at Flemington on Derby Day.

More Than Ready stallion Mahisara meanwhile comes off a last-start victory at Flemington, the four-year-old having taken out a 1400m feature on Melbourne Cup Day when carrying 59kg.

Craig Williams retains the ride on Mahisara for Saturday, the horse to relish the drop back to 55kg for the Sandown Stakes, as the jockey vies for successive victories in the race having saluted aboard Under The Eiffel who also won their lead-up race on Melbourne Cup Day 12 months ago.

The Sandown Stakes will be Mahisara’s maiden Group assignment and Messara is confident they will be competitive despite the quality of the competition.

“It won’t be an easy race,” Messara admitted.

“It appears to be a bit stronger than I thought it would be.

“(But) he is in very good form and it looks the right type of race to try him in something better.”

In an open Sandown Stakes betting market there are then three other hopefuls under double-figures with:

• #9 Morant ($5.50) – Six-year-old Cranbourne galloper has been racing very consistently this time in including their close fourth in mile feature at Flemington last Saturday, will be racing for the third Saturday on the trot so needs to handle that
• #3 Veewap ($8) – Tony Vasil-trained seven-year-old winner at Caulfield three back, out to improve on their fifth in the Sale Cup last start on October 28, Vasil after successive Sandown Stakes trophies having prepared last year’s winner Under The Eiffel
• #4 Mr Make Believe ($9) – Peter Moody’s Commands gelding hasn’t won since March when they got a wet track and 1500m, see that distance for the first time since but would prefer some rain

Other longer-priced chances with genuine claims include Snippetson four-year-old Mister Milton ($10), Warrnambool galloper Lord Wimble ($11) who won a mile feature at Moonee Valley on Manikato Stakes night by three lengths, and Toowoomba visitor Over Quota ($13).

To get behind your Sandown Stakes favourites and check the markets for the full Zipping Classic Day program make sure you head to bookmaker.com.au who are offering Pick Your Own Odds markets for all the Sandown races.

2012 Sandown Stakes Odds

Sandown Race 5 – 2:50pm (AEST) – 17/11/2012

*Fixed Win odds provided by bookmaker.com.au and subject to change