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By Ray Hickson

Tips and race by race preview by Ray Hickson for Wednesday’s meeting at Warwick Farm. The track was rated Good 4 on Tuesday.

I didn’t expect to be taking odds-on but 3. Star Of The Seas has found the right race to post his first win after promising plenty in two runs last spring in a couple of solid maiden races. He’s been off the scene for a while and underwent some surgery but showed he’s in good order with a narrow but impressive trial win on July 9. Clearly the one to beat.

Dangers: 6. Smartypy has been well in the market in all three starts and been beaten but I think she showed fresh when ridden off the speed that she’s heading the right way. Has race fitness on her side and should run well. 4. Stone is an ex-Godolphin horse having his first run for Ken Lantry. He’s started $3 or less in his last five starts and been largely competitive without winning. Blinkers on and claiming 3kg. Wouldn’t surprise to see him run well on the fresh side. 2. Salvador was a decent drifter when resuming at Hawkesbury but went down fighting. Placed here three runs back at big odds and is at least a place chance.

How to play it: Star Of The Seas WIN ($1.75 TAB Fixed Odds).

Star Of The Seas wins his trial at Rosehill on July 9

Looks a very tough one on paper. I came back to 6. Misteed who we haven’t seen since she won at Canterbury six weeks ago on a heavy 8. Given she trialled so brilliantly on good ground going into that race it’s no surprise the stable has been waiting for a dry track for her. Looks to get every chance from the draw and is one of the main players.

Dangers: 11. Designer Maid made light work of an outside gate as she led all the way for a very soft debut win at Taree. Obviously a harder task this time coming to town but I’m respecting the margin and likelihood there’s some upside as well. 3. Osorno was competitive in some good races in his first four starts before being outclassed, though possibly ridden upside down, in the Baillieu at the end of March. He’s been shoved along a bit in his two trials suggesting he may want a bit further than 1200m but I can’t leave him out. 5. Echo Gem turned around an ordinary debut to lead throughout two weeks ago at Canterbury and you’d expect from the wide gate she’ll be pressing for the lead again. If she does get control she can take running down.

How to play it: Misteed WIN ($2.80 TAB Fixed Odds).

Misteed wins at Canterbury back on June 6

I’d like to take the favourite on here but I can just as easily see her winning. 6. Lady Evelyn has put in a couple of handy efforts in Saturday company in two runs since a Cessnock win. She weaved through from the second half to be runner-up to La Chica Bella then stepped up to 1800m and raced closer to the pace before weakening late. Back to a mile and she has a good chance in the small field.

Dangers: 5. Classic Thoughts came from a seemingly impossible position at the 300m to sweep home and win well first-up at Newcastle. Extra trip is a plus and this isn’t a huge step up in class. Expect her to run well. 4. Wide Spread Panic had a big task into a headwind when leading and knocking up at Randwick as a drifting favourite last start. She probably has a soft lead here and that will give her every chance to run out the strong mile. The one to run down but I don’t think she’s any value3. Mollyfied wasn’t disgraced here last week running on without threatening and while she hasn’t been tried at the mile previously she’s consistent and it wouldn’t surprise to see her in the finish somewhere.

How to play it: Lady Evelyn E/W (1-2) ($4.40 TAB Fixed Odds).

Lady Evelyn runs on well into second at Rosehill on June 16

Pretty keen that this is the right race for 1. Island Missile back onto a dry track after two runs in Saturday company at Randwick. He was excellent first-up from last at 1200m then raced closer to the inside and wasn’t disgraced behind Seahampton last time. Punters Intel data showed he ran the second fastest last 600m in 36 and 200m in 12.35 behind the winner there. Less depth here, drawn nicely and is entitled to win this on what he’s shown this prep.

Dangers: 3. Mascot finally broke through in his own right (he did lose a race on protest in January) with quite a strong win at Newcastle. That was his third run back and he should be at his peak now. He’s proven himself in city maidens so this isn’t such a big step and I’d be surprised if he’s not around the mark. 5. Divine Breeze had some support first-up at Canterbury but weakened after leading. Sent back to the trials and won well there and back onto a good track is a plus. She’s a likely improver. 8. Buffy had to pass a vet inspection at the gates before she was beaten as favourite two weeks ago at Canterbury. Racing very well and with a bit of luck from the barrier she’s more than capable of being in the finish.

How to play it: Island Missile WIN ($2.40 TAB Fixed Odds).

Island Missile’s last start sixth at Randwick on July 7

Take your pick in this race. I might be a run too soon but 3. Segenhoe ran a much improved race third-up from a spell at Canterbury two weeks ago at 1900m and is very much at home on top of the ground. He doesn’t have to lead as he did last time out but he’ll be up there and at each-way odds he can be competitive.

Dangers: 1. Shock Alert returned to his best form with a strong win over a mile here last week and on the back up could be ready to run out the longer trip. Had excuses when he tried 2000m before a spell so if he’s going to run it out he sets up well to do it here. 10. Kentucky Diva is either a good thing or way under the odds. Only had the two starts and was impressive enough in winning at her second at Hawkesbury on June 21. Goes straight to 2200m and midweek class. Her dam is won up to 1700m and is a half-sister to Makybe Diva so she’s 50-50 to stay the trip. 8. Cormac has been costly to follow of late but he does find a good track for the first time since his win here back in May. If that’s all he’s looking for then he’s worth one more chance.

How to play it: Segenhoe E/W ($11 TAB Fixed Odds).

Segenhoe runs an improved fourth at Canterbury on July 7

I did try to find something to beat 4. Tonsor but have come back to him because he really hasn’t done a lot wrong in his three starts and is the type of horse that makes his own luck up on the speed. He had excuses when beaten at Kembla but held off the chasers safely enough out to 1400m at Newcastle. Very well bred gelding who should prove hard to catch.

Dangers: 1. Masterati lumped 62.5kg to a tough on pace win when resuming at Goulburn but doesn’t get a heap of weight relief here in a BM70. That said he’s drawn nicely to be on the pace again and fitter for the run. Must be included. 2. Tswalu has to go in now she’s back onto a dry track. Failed badly in the heavy here first-up then a bit better at Canterbury on a soft 6. She may have to chance her arm from the wide gate but wouldn’t surprise to see her much more competitive under these conditions. 8. Sacred Edge will probably find the 1300m a touch short but he's trialled okay on two occasions and has run well fresh in lesser grade over the shorter trips. One to throw in the multiples.

How to play it: Tonsor WIN ($3.40 TAB Fixed Odds).

Tonsor makes it two from three at Newcastle on June 30

Have to stick with 6. Hammond Lane after his desperately unlucky second at Canterbury two weeks ago where he only found clear running very late to just fail. The mile around here holds no fears and I don’t mind him drawn wide so long as he can get a bit of cover before coming to the outside to make his run where he ran the fastest last 200m in 11.91 (Punters Intel. If you were on last time you’ve got to stick.

Dangers: 1. Curragh is right back in class after his eye-catching third at Randwick behind Just Shine where he probably should have finished second at least. Small negatives coming back to the mile from an inside gate and onto a dry track but he’s one of the main chances. 11. Valentino Rossa has had the flashing light on in two runs back from a spell in Saturday company and it’ll be interesting to see where he lands from a good gate this time around but if he runs up to his two runs back then he can be in the finish. 8. Balmain Boy tried very hard at Canterbury last time out and while he doesn’t win out of turn he’ll put himself in the race and give his usual good sight. Note he has had three starts over the mile here and is yet to finish worse than second.

How to play it: Hammond Lane E/W ($6.50 TAB Fixed Odds).

Hammond Lane’s luckless second at Canterbury on July 4

All the fields, form and replays for Wednesday’s Warwick Farm meeting