This was published 7 months ago
Race-by-race tips and preview for Warwick Farm on Wednesday
By Ray Hickson
Selections based on a good track.
RACE 1 – 1.25PM: HITOTSU @ ARROWFIELD HANDICAP (1600 METRES)
3. Blackcomb had to do plenty of work to score at her first run for the Lees yard so her performance was quite strong. That was her first run for just over a month so she can only be better for it and from gate one it should offset staying at the trip. Hard to beat.
There will be seven races at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.Credit: Getty
Dangers: 1. Soul Choice wasn’t quite up to the task at group 1 level against the top fillies in the autumn but her form prior down south and in Tasmania was promising. Likely finds the lead here first-up and it comes down to fitness and the tempo she sets. 6. Chase My Crown finds herself in a much smaller field than she’s used to and her effort in a BM78 two starts ago suggests she’s up to this sort of race. Tends to concede a start but capable of running into the money. 2. Peshmerga showed a bit of promise in her first local campaign without featuring in the placings. Won a synthetic trial a few weeks ago and could show up fresh.
How to play it: Blackcomb to win.
RACE 2 – 2PM: JOHN RAMSAY – 40 YEAR’S SERVICE HANDICAP (1200m)
8. Balkans disappointed on debut when favourite but given a bit of time he returned with a dominant performance at Wyong. This is a step up, but it’s the same for most of the field and he can only take improvement from the win. Draws to have his chance to go on with it.
Dangers: 4. Rhythm Of Love has the blinkers on after her first-up win at Kembla Grange where she went forward from the outside and proved a bit too good as a $1.55 chance. Shows promise and is a major threat. 9. Fortress Australia was unwanted in betting at Newcastle last time but ran out a very easy winner. Form before was handy and he’s drawn ideally. No surprise if he’s competitive. 1. Sovereign Fund didn’t have a lot of luck when resuming at Kensington two weeks ago, held up for
runs over the 1000m. Up 4.5kg but back in class and against own age so he could easily bounce back.
How to play it: Balkans to win and trifecta 8/1,4,9/1,4,9.
RACE 3 – 2.35PM: DRINKWISE PLATE (1200m)
6. Drift Net is a well-bred filly from the family of top mares Alverta and Aerobatics on debut and there was a lot to like about her latest trial out at Hawkesbury. Given plenty of time and she’s come up with a nice soft draw. Check betting but looks a big chance.
Dangers: 5. Darling Downs is also on debut and she’s the winner of two trials split by a month on recent weeks. Wasn’t extended to win the latest by a narrow margin and, again, if the market says yes then she should be competitive. 4. Aditi was listed placed on debut in Melbourne and was sent out favourite in a Blue Diamond Preview back in January. Solid trial win over 1040m leading in and while drawn out you’d imagine they go forward. Must respect. 10. Queen Of Dragons was runner-up to Militarize back in February and she wasn’t far away in two listed attempts in Brisbane after that. Not asked for anything in her trial and wouldn’t surprise if she features somewhere.
How to play it: Drift Net to win.
RACE 4 – 3.10PM: ALL TOO HARD @ VINERY HANDICAP (1600m)
1. Eastern Glow won a similar race here two starts back then had too much to do from a wide gate in the Dubbo Cup but still attacked the line to run second. Only up 0.5kg after the claim on his win and small field suits. Should run well.
Dangers: 5. Mr Buster is the big market watch first-up for the Maher/Eustace Stable. An import whose win was at 2011m in May. Not exposed in two trials, so it’s hard to know what he’s got until we see it on race day. Respect. 4. For Victory looked a coming winner with a slashing third at Rosehill second-up then favourite and not as effective at Randwick over the mile. Forgive that, he’s back in class and entitled to another chance. 6. Spaltet showed some improvement second-up to just miss at Hawkesbury two weeks ago. Has won up to 2000m so the extra trip will be a plus and Nash suits. Keep in mind.
How to play it: Eastern Glow to win.
RACE 5 – 3.45PM: KERMADEC @ DARLEY HANDICAP (2110m)
4. Casual Connection was shaping up nicely in his first two runs over shorter then up 600m and ridden to lead before weakening at Randwick. Back a notch here and if you can forgive last time then he could easily rebound.
Dangers: 2. Chateaux Park usually runs well here and he’s also down in grade after tackling a listed race at Randwick two weeks ago. Won over 2200m here three runs back and is one of the chances. 1. The Milkybar Kid didn’t fire here last time out when a drifting favourite but his previous couple were good from the front. Slight gear change might help him and if he finds his best he can give a sight. 9. Condrieu was strong at the finish in an easy class 1 win at Newcastle fourth-up and has been competitive at this level previously. Keep in mind.
How to play it: Casual Connection to win.
RACE 6 – 4.20PM: JAMES SQUIRE HANDICAP (1100m)
2. Ithadtobezou kicked off last prep with a couple of strong wins and a close second before heading into stakes company where she ran well but wasn’t quite up to it. Fitter for two trials and drawn nicely, this grade suits and she can only run a nice race fresh.
Dangers: 4. Demiana has been quite costly since her impressive debut win, going down as favourite five times. Ran on strongly from the back in her recent trial, tactics will be interesting from the wide gate. Has the ability if the race works out for her. 1. Lucky Variety won three of her four starts last summer but didn’t fire in her only run since June when well in the market. Coming off another break and she trialled OK behind Kyobi recently. Blinkers on, she’s a definite chance. 3. Sweet Mercy won a Midway back in May and boxed on well for a placing in BM78 grade before a break so she’s capable of showing up here.
How to play it: Ithadtobezou to win.
RACE 7 – 4.55PM: TAB HANDICAP (1300m)
8. Saltcoats was in the market at his local debut and he found the line well from last after drawing the outside behind Garza Blanca. Fitter for that and has the inside gate this time around. Scratchings have seen this race fall into his lap and he’s clearly the one to beat.
Dangers: 10. Avebury comes through the same race and suffered a similar fate from an awkward draw. She’s been back to the trials for a confidence booster and was a listed winner last time in. Open to improvement here. 9. Silvanito is flying at the moment and steps up a notch after scoring a tough win at Kensington two weeks ago. Definite chance. 4. Rise Of The Masses is a big watch first-up in the small field. His two-year-old form was excellent and he’s had two solid trials so if he reclaims his best he’s a chance.
How to play it: Sailcoats to win and trifecta 8/4,9,10/4,9,10.
Best Bet:
Race 2 (8) Balkans
Best Value:
Race 4 (1) Eastern Glow
Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au
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