Latest News

By Neil Evans

Track Good 4 and rail true:

A track drying out all the time, low draw, and step up to the mile is the right recipe for progressive mare 5. Peschiera to break through fourth-up. Hasn't missed a place in three runs this prep from trickier draws just off the speed, and gets back down in the weights at the right time.

Dangers: 4. Indigo Star is a lightly raced and natural improver also climbing to the mile. Leading jockey goes on, and blinkers replacing winkers is a key gear change. Tough colt 2. Viktor was only run down in the final strides at Newcastle, and again draws to dictate up front if he backs up in six days. Big gap to the rest headed by 9. Hammett suited up to the mile.

How to play it: Peschiera to win

Plenty to like here about promising filly 3. Amelita on the drying surface and from an ideal on-speed draw. Given 19 days by the leading stable since dominating a Super Maiden from barrier to box, and primed to make the next step.

Dangers: Respect for 1. Tartaglia, resuming for a third prep off two progressive trials. Big gap to the rest, but watch for any money at long odds on 4. Insist who draws low, and has been freshened since a fresh provincial maiden win; while dominant first-up provincial winner 6. Zoubaby can run into minor money.

How to play it: Amelita to win

Tactical battle over the longer journey here. Sparingly raced mare 4. Angel Of Light is ready to peak fourth-up. Has stuck on well to place in his last two, and hits peak fitness now.

Dangers: 1. Aristonious is also tracking okay fourth-up, and finished just in front of the top selection here last time. Keep safe 8. Koning who dropped out after leading in that same race; but gets a softer draw here and some weight relief. 2. Bengal Boy ran home well late first-up on the Kensington track 26 days ago, and can also run into the money rising in distance.

How to play it: Angel Of Light to win

This shapes ideally for Victorian-based mare 2. Poppin' Champagne third-up from a low draw. Has tracked the speed and run home strongly into a place in two runs this prep up to deeper BM 78 level. Finds peak fitness, and is drawn to dictate in what is a race with less depth.

Dangers: After finishing a whisker in front of the top selection here 12 days ago, 5. Mountain Top is the logical threat for the leading trainer/jockey combination. Won two straight up to BM 64 level earlier in the prep, although not quite as well served on a firm track. Be surprised if anything else wins, but include in all exotics 1. Kenyara, stablemate to the former who won first-up last prep; and progressive filly 8. Noises who has been freshened since winning two straight at Hawkesbury.

How to play it: Poppin' Champagne to win

Progressive 3. True To Form is building a very handy record having won two of his last three either side of a freshen-up, and always solid in the market. Has enough tactical speed to get over here in a race reduced to only seven runners.

Dangers: 1. Sir Artie is a tough finisher, doing best late to claim a similar affair here five weeks back, but up in weight, and bar plates going on is a concern. 6. Byron third-up; and 9. Unwritten finally up in distance deep into the prep; are the best of the rest.

How to play it: True To Form to win

Promising mare 2. Bonita Queen is set to make it three straight wins at this course. Showed superior tactical speed to bolt in twice as a hot favorite against similar opposition before freshened up via an easy trial win. Asked to carry more weight here, but with superior cruising speed and acceleration, only needs a half decent run to continue on her merry way.

Dangers: 11. Fire Star has been placed three from four this prep in similar company, and drawn to get a soft run behind the speed; while 3. Negotiations second-up over 100m further; can add value into exotic bets.

How to play it: Bonita Queen to win

In a competitive short-course battle, resuming 3. The Bopper can pounce first-up at big odds off a long break. Naturally won't want to get too far back against some slick ones, but he's drawn to get cover, and possesses a dynamic final burst. Well in at the weights after the claim, and love the way he swept through line from well off speed in winning the second of two provincial trials.

Dangers: Naturally, early hot favorite 2. I Am Unstoppable is well named in this affair, resuming behind two progressive metro trials and having his first run for the Ciaron Maher stable. Hasn't started since being unplaced in Listed company in early autumn, but twice beat all bar the winner up to Group 2 level at Flemington last spring. Keep safe 1. Hard to Say who returns from the inside draw also having won the second of two lead-up trials; while another one resuming, Listed winner 4. Renosu is the best of the rest off two trial wins ahead of 5. Unflinching second-up.

How to play it: The Bopper each way and quinella 2 & 3

Toughest and likely widest race on the program is saved for last, but there's terrific value around improving 7. Groundrush who is ready to peak fourth-up. Finished well enough in two metro runs either side of the Victorian border before settling closer here last time and just even to the line. Much better suited in a bigger field where he can settle further back and be produced in the straight off a stronger tempo.

Dangers: Consistent 8. Sweysive has missed narrowly in his last three runs, and again drawn to stalk the speed all the way. Keep safe 12. Anderson Bridge resuming off two progressive trials. Gap to the rest.

How to play it: Groundrush to win

BEST BETS:
R2 3. AMELITA
R6 2. BONITA QUEEN

BEST VALUE:
R8 7. GROUNDRUSH

All the fields, form and replays for Monday's Warwick Farm meeting