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By Ray Hickson

Ray Hickson’s tips and insights for Wednesday’s Warwick Farm Cup meeting. A number of promising lightly raced horses going around on the eight race card.

The track will be Good and the rail is out 5m from 1000m-post, out 3m remainder.

Very interesting race to kick off. The speed might come from the likes of Military Academy and Epic Rant (blinkers on) and Star Of Africa did lead his latest trial. The Godolphin first starter Vacate is the one I want to keep a close eye on. He comes through the same trial as Perast and was given a similarly quiet trial not being pushed at all. I’d like to see a bit of support in the betting for him but in a wide open race he’s worth a look.

Danger: Epic Rant didn’t show a lot of speed on debut at Rosehill back in November but still ran well behind Veranillo. Blinkers go on for this and if he can use the good gate he looks a threat. Respecting Military Academy whose latest trial was excellent sitting outside the lead and edging away.

How to play it: Vacate E/W ($5.50 TAB Fixed Odds).

Vacate’s latest trial at Rosehill – September 4

The speed has come right out of this race with the scratchings. I’ve been very impressed with the trials of Ridicule lately and she might be worth the gamble at a better price than another debutante in Nai’a. In her first trial at Warwick Farm she split Sacher Torte and Aonair, both of whom have won since, then did it very easily at Wyong on the pace on September 11. I’d be surprised if she doesn’t run well.

Danger: Nai’a is going to attract plenty of interest having accounted for Woman in her latest trial and of course we all saw what that filly did last Wednesday. She led that trial but not sure where she’ll get to from the outside here. Maybe that’s looking for negatives. Logical danger.

How to play it: Ridicule E/W ($4.40 TAB Fixed Odds); save Quinella with Nai’a.

Ridicule easily wins a Wyong trial – September 11

It wouldn’t surprise to see a few nice horses come out of this race. Chris Waller has a strong hand with five runners and I quite like the chances of Wild About Her up to the 1400m. She was scratched from the Woman race last week for this more suitable event and the way she finished off at Canterbury over 1100m last start suggests she’s crying out for ground. Expecting her to take plenty of beating. Punter’s Intel: Wild About Her’s last 600m of 34.46 was the second best of her race at Canterbury.

Danger: Sparky Lad hasn’t raced since July when a solid enough second to Brave Song. Nice trial performance recently running second to Newburgh, who won easily at Newcastle last Saturday, and he should also relish the journey. Big watch on Kaonic who looked good late in his first trial over 1050m then dropped to 794m in a frantically run heat and wasn’t asked for anything.

How to play it: Wild About Her E/W ($4.20 TAB Fixed Odds)

Wild About Her runs third at Canterbury – August 30

I can’t see anything other than Social Element controlling this race with one of the best front running jockeys in the saddle in Adam Hyeronimus. Both his wins to date have been pretty strong efforts, he worked hard at Newcastle then again taken on from a few angles in a similar race at the Farm on September 6. Showed that Tulloch Lodge bone and muscle to win comfortably in the end and there’s no reason he can’t win again. Punter’s Intel: Social Element and Exoteric ran identical final 200m splits of 12.74 seconds when they clashed at WF.

Danger: Exoteric seemed to have every chance in running third behind Social Element and while he does have a 4kg swing in the weights I can’t see him turning the tables. Still, racing can throw up strange results from time to time and the platform is there for him to have his chance again.

How to play it: Social Element WIN ($2.00 TAB Fixed Odds)

Social Element winning at Warwick Farm – September 6

Godolphin filly Regimen lost her unbeaten record at Canterbury at the end of August but she wasn’t disgraced in running a close second after box seating then not relishing having to squeeze through on the fence. She went down fighting and in a similar sort of race she’s going to have her chance to atone. Punter’s Intel: Regimen did a fair bit of work early at Canterbury, running 10.74 and 10.85 between the 1000m and 600m.

Danger: O’Reilly Cyrus didn’t have a lot of luck first-up at Canterbury last week so it is no surprise to see her backing up. She had some support and was only beaten two lengths after running into a dead end at a vital stage early in the straight. Well worth another chance.

How to play it: Regimen WIN ($2.15 TAB Fixed Odds)

Regimen’s close second at Canterbury – August 30

Expecting a reasonable enough tempo here to allow Dissolute to run over the top of them first-up. He’s a consistent galloper with solid Saturday form rom last prep around the likes of Clear The Beach and Arbeitsam among others. Loved his trial win at Warwick Farm where he absolutely cantered in and while he’s yet to win first-up he looks placed to advantage.

Danger: Realise Potential is flying at present but just bumping into one better. Sneaking down in the weights and it’s hard to see him not featuring somewhere in the finish with form around Nictock.

How to play it: Dissolute WIN ($2.60 TAB Fixed Odds).

Dissolute’s impressive barrier trial win at Warwick Farm – September 8

The scratching of Savapinski has thrown this race wide open and I'm not really sure where to look with any confidence. Hoof Hustler is an ex-Kiwi with the Waller stable and kicking off at a mile appears to really suit him. Hasn’t seen a good track yet and no doubt his best will be at 2000m and beyond but he did move stylishly late in his second trial when allowed to stride a little. If there's any support it'd be a good sign.

Danger: Braces is worth throwing in the multiples, he’s slowly improving this time in and is certainly an each-way chance. Ataraxia is now way too short for my liking but the form out of his maiden win first-up has held up okay and he is the up and comer so has to be included in everything.

How to play it: Hoof Hustler E/W ($11 TAB Fixed Odds)

Savapinski scored easily at Wyong – August 27

It worries me a little that I’ve come up with a few favourites on end but it’s hard to go past Regent in the last after his massive first-up run at Warwick Farm a couple of weeks back. He drew wide and jumped well then went back, stuck wide creeping forward and still finished off strongly after a tough run. Hopefully the inside gate doesn’t bring him undone here in a fairly similar event. Hopefully he can take advantage of that gate and be midfield or better. Punter’s Intel: Regent did most of his work between the 800m and 400m, running 11.31 and 11.61 (fastest splits) and still produced a last 600m of 35.02 second only to the winner.

Danger: Rockafella has run well in both starts this preparation, finishing nicely late and ran Malahat to less than a length at Canterbury last time out. Awkward gate but expecting another strong showing. The Avenger comes off a maiden win but it was a very soft one and he’s showing a bit of promise. No surprise to see him measure up though he’s a little unders for mine.

How to play it: Regent WIN ($2.25 TAB Fixed Odds).

Regent’s game second to Screamarr at Warwick Farm - September 6

All the fields, form and replays at Warwick Farm on Wednesday