3 minute read
Tips and race by race preview by Ray Hickson for Wednesday’s Warwick Farm meeting. Selections based on a good track.
Race 1 - 2:20PM THE AGENCY REAL ESTATE HANDICAP (1000 METRES)
3. Man In The Mirror comes with a big price tag but he's shown some good race sense in his trials and while the time wasn't fast in winning his latest he looked smooth. Drawn to get every chance and should be in the finish. Read trainer Annabel Neasham's comments here.
Dangers: 7. Northumbria warmed up well to win his only trial appearance at Hawkesbury on a soft track. Have to respect the Godolphin youngsters, especially with James McDonald riding. 2. Captain Bond showed speed to lead his only trial and held on when challenged, running half a second faster than Man In The Mirror. Expect he can give a sight at least. 12. Proud Image has shown some ability in her trials and she won nicely at Hawkesbury in her latest running slightly faster than Northumbria. Could surprise.
How to play it: Man In The Mirror WIN ($3.50 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS.
Race 2 - 2:55PM VINERY PLATE (1300 METRES)
9. Pizarro looks ready to win after seconds in both starts to date, bumping into a smart one at Hawkesbury on debut then unlucky last time at Canterbury. Drawn well and he only has to hold his form to go very close.
Dangers: 16. No Nay Jubilee is an interesting runner, an ex-Kiwi filly now with Chris Waller. She's placed in all three starts and in her two trials in Sydney she's been not asked for anything and finished close up. Worth keeping safe. 5. Gulf Of Panama started favourite on debut here three weeks ago and wasn't disgraced chasing home the winner. Draws wide this time but it's a good start point for wide gates and he can't be overlooked. 11. Regal Pom hasn't raced since August when runner-up to subsequent dual Group 1 placed Alegron in a maiden at Newcastle. Gelded. Might be looking for more ground but from an inside gate he could show up.
How to play it: Pizarro WIN ($2.70 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Race 3 - 3:30PM BOWERMANS HANDICAP (2400 METRES)
5. Comme Bella Fille gets to 2400m for the first time and she's had a good build up to it arriving here fifth-up. Tough winner at Canterbury two runs back then up in class and ran well behind Huetor at Rosehill. Shapes as though she'll stay well and she's hard to beat.
Dangers: 4. Black Queen has won three of her last four and atoned for a defeat on a heavy track with a popular win over this course two weeks back. No harder this time around and is a major player. 1. Oceanic Flash is hard to knock with three wins on end. Up in class here but the fact he's top weight says the rise isn't huge. Drops 1.5kg on the latest win and gets his chance to run out the extra trip from gate one. 3. Master Shuhood had a wide run and stuck on pretty well under the circumstances behind Black Queen last time. Rarely too far away and it wouldn't shock if he's in the finish.
How to play it: Comme Bella Fille WIN ($3.30 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Race 4 - 4:05PM KEENELAND HANDICAP (1100 METRES)
4. Rule Of Law was kept busy up on the speed first-up but was still too strong winning here three weeks ago and started an odds-on favourite. Slight class rise but potential to have an easier run in transit. If that's the case he'll take plenty of stopping.
Dangers: 7. Warrior Hero has been in the finish in all three starts this prep and in reasonably good company on a variety of track surfaces. Will be around the mark again and is at least an each-way chance. 5. Astero is a promising type who won two provincial races to start last prep before an even effort behind Oscar Zulu at Rosehill in June. Fitter for a couple of trials and expect him to be competitive. 2. He's Super Lucky can be a bit hit and miss but he found the line well first-up behind Dragonstone at Kembla a month ago and a repeat effort would see him hard to hold out late.
How to play it: Rule Of Law WIN ($2.25 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Race 5 - 4:40PM XXXX HANDICAP (1600 METRES)
9. Segrill doesn't win out of turn but she is racing in super form and had to make a long run when outpointed late by Niffler here two weeks ago. Takes on the boys but if the breaks go her way she's a handy each-way chance.
Dangers: 5. Jungle Book was a big drifter first-up over an unsuitable trip but found the line okay late on a heavy track at Canterbury. Blinkers back on, up in trip and on home track are all pluses and he should improve. 2. Miss Einstein was very disappointing last time when well supported at Canterbury on heavy ground. She'd hit the line well in two previous runs this time in but query on whether she's lost her edge back onto a good track from a wide gate. Have to include but she might be under the odds. 7. Majella ran her best race for a few starts when runner-up in a Midway at Randwick over a mile. In foal so nearing the end of her career and she's not out of this.
How to play it: Segrill E/W ($10 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS.
Race 6 - 5:15PM RANVET HANDICAP (1100 METRES)
9. Quatenus was far from disgraced when favourite in a 1000m dash here two weeks ago after getting back from an outside gate. Drawn one this time and extra trip looks to suit based on her finish last time. Expecting her to be closer in the run and harder to hold out.
Dangers: 12. Sneaky Paige gave nothing else a chance first-up at Canterbury on a heavy track then returned there on December 10 and couldn't find the lead off the outside gate but stuck on well to run third. Yet to see a dry track but have to give her another chance. 4. Authentic Jewel led all the way over the 1000m here last time and while the extra 100m holds no fears her chances will be dictated by what pressure is put on. If she's able to get comfortable again she'll be hard to beat. 10. Rubinocchi comes through the same race and was runner-up there after enjoying a nice run so can't be left out.
How to play it: Quatenus WIN ($3.20 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Race 7 - 5:50PM TAB HANDICAP (1300 METRES)
3. Mensa Missile looked very strong at the finish and he closed late fresh at Kensington, running Exotic Ruby to half a length. Expected to run well there and has a great second-up record so if he can improve he's going to be a major player here.
Dangers: 4. Rubamos was taken to the front and just failed when heavily backed at Kensington on December 3, nailed on the line by I Am Lethal. Should be prominent again and looks a danger. 17. Too Much Lippy is showing promise winning a maiden first-up then backing it up with a BM64 win here two weeks ago. Stays at 1300m, drawn well and while this is harder she has to be respected. 8. Construct is an interesting runner, Group 3 placed two starts ago on the back of his maiden win. Likely to get back but has a decent finish on him and any support would be significant.
How to play it: Mensa Missile WIN ($3.70 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
