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By Ray Hickson
Tips and race by race preview by Ray Hickson for Wednesday’s meeting at Warwick Farm. Selections based on a good track.
| Race 1 – 12:50PM TAB HANDICAP (1400 METRES) |
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1. Sedgemoor went down by the barest of margins to a handy type on debut a few weeks back and looks to get control of this race. Can only be fitter and just has to run up to his Canterbury effort to take this out.
Dangers: 5. Tawaret has had a few chances but caught the eye chasing a progressive stablemate home at the Scone carnival last start. Probably should have finished a touch closer too. If that’s a good pointer then she’s right in the finish. 3. Milunka resumes after a couple of Canterbury placings back in January, she was game on debut after a wide run then had every chance in the second of them. Can’t get any guide from her very quiet trial but kicking off at 1400m is a flashing light. Keep safe. 2. Royal Captain is racing consistently but just can’t seem to break through at present. Kept trying at Newcastle last start and with only a small field he can’t be overlooked.
How to play it: Sedgemoor WIN ($1.90 TAB Fixed Odds).
Sedgemoor’s close second on debut at Canterbury on May 8
| Race 2 - 1:25PM PRESS STATEMENT @ VINERY HANDICAP (1200 METRES) |
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6. Mercury has come up favourite and if he stays solid in the mark he’s the one to be with first-up. Had some support on debut in Melbourne and pulled up lame and spelled so forgive that. Loved his latest trial, blinkers on and he should go close.
Dangers: 15. California Salto was a bit of a hidden run on debut at Kembla on May 11. She had plenty of traffic to negotiate in the straight and didn’t get full opportunity to wind up yet made good late ground. Up to 1200m and with a bit of luck from the barrier she could surprise. 11. All Saint’s Eve is a half-sister to a NZ Group 1 winner and she worked home quite nicely in her only public trial a couple of weeks back. Drawn well and one to keep an eye on. 5. Kavalmo wasn’t asked for anything serious in his only trial this prep, he did trial back in November, and from barrier one is worth throwing in the multiples. If there’s any support it’d be encouraging too.
How to play it: Mercury WIN ($2.70 TAB Fixed Odds).
Mercury runs fourth in a Warwick Farm trial on May 17
| Race 3 – 2.00PM EVENTS BY ATC HANDICAP (1200 METRES) |
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Somewhat keen on 3. Front Sight, a gelding who showed plenty of promise in his first prep in the summer. Knocked over late by Kolding on debut then again claimed in the shadows on a heavy track before a break. Nice trial win recently and is very hard to beat.
Dangers: 2. Embracer went under as a $1.09 favourite at Wyong two weeks ago where he led and was headed before the turn. Pulled up lame there so perhaps some excuse and blinkers go on. She may win but can’t possibly back him at odds-on off the latest run. 4. Heimberg is an interesting runner, first-up for Joe Pride and is a half-brother to his star sprinters Terravista, Tiger Tees and Ball Of Muscle. Latest trial wasn’t too bad and no surprise to see him show up. 1. Azoustic is another first-upper for the Pride yard and he’s trialled in the same heats as Heimberg for a 1-1 scoreline. Trainer speaks highly enough of both horses, suggesting they will win races so pay to keep them both safe. Read more about Joe Pride's runners here.
How to play it: Front Sight WIN ($2.10 TAB Fixed Odds).
Front Sight wins a trial at Newcastle on May 9
| Race 4 – 2.35PM TAB REWARDS HANDICAP (1600 METRES) |
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Hard to go past 6. High Shine considering she’s been so impressive in her two wins this time in and gets out to a mile which should suit her even better. That’s evidenced in the way she ground them down at Scone second-up. Creeping up in class but sure to take holding out. Read trainer John Sargent's comments here.
Dangers: 7. Primitivo atoned for a costly Wagga defeat with a very brave win over this course two weeks ago where he fought back after being headed to win. Showed there he can race handier and from a good gate he should be in the finish again. 5. Calculated may not have been suited to leading at Rosehill last time but he did box on okay in stronger grade. Back to a mile here and is entitled to one more chance. 1. Destiny’s Own did a very big job to win second-up here and is now into his comfort zone distance wise. He’ll be somewhere on the pace from a perfect draw for him and can’t be left out. 9. Vega and 10. Watchdog have form around the top two selections and are definite chances also.
How to play it: High Shine WIN ($2.50 TAB Fixed Odds).
High Shine wins at Scone on May 10
| Race 5 – 3.10PM ANZ BLOODSTOCK NEWS HANDICAP (1600 METRES) |
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1. Bergen is a real winner and the way he scored at Warwick Farm two weeks ago suggested he’ll relish the mile, which he gets here. Drawn to track the speed, in-form apprentice on and no reason he can’t keep the winning run going. And he’s each-way odds too.
Dangers: 14. Statuesquely bumped into a handy one on debut then was never going to be beaten at Kembla second-up. Should lead and bred to appreciate the extra trip. This is a handy enough midweek field so she’ll need to be above average and she might just be that. 3. Total Power was a bit disappointing at Newcastle two starts back after hitting the lead but he punched above his weight when running third in a strong Scone Guineas. First try at a mile and he’ll be in this for a long way. 2. Charretera is more than good enough to win this, I do have a small question mark at the trip looking at his last start third here at 1400m. If he has the right run and is looking for ground then he’s right in it. Just that small doubt for mine.
How to play it: Bergen E/W ($6.00 TAB Fixed Odds).
Bergen makes it three from three at Warwick Farm on May 15
| Race 6 – 3.45PM WINTER RACING HANDICAP (1100 METRES) |
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Had to be impressed with the way 7. Phaistos attacked the line in winning first-up at Scone. He had to weave through a bit but once he balanced up he was so strong. Stays at 1100m and may need some breaks if he’s buried back in the field but can’t go past him.
Dangers: Big watch on 11. Accelerato who is having his first run for Joe Pride on the back of a very nice trial win over Alassio recently where he led and put a margin on her. Fresh form is patchy but if there’s support he should run well. 4. Inanup has form that ties in with Phaistos through running down Great Affair first-up at Wyong four weeks ago so he’s worth including. Yet to win second-up but kept fresh. Not sure what to do with 2. Tchaikovsky who was fair in a similar race here first-up. If he puts it together he can win but would like to see him do it first.
How to play it: Phaistos WIN ($3.80 TAB Fixed Odds).
Phaistos wins impressively at Scone on May 10
| Race 7 - 4:20PM AUSTRALIAN TURF CLUB HANDICAP (1300 METRES) |
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13. Handspun finished like he was shot out of a cannon when he won at Kembla third-up continuing his good form this campaign. This isn’t a lot harder and he’s in super form so definite chance.
Dangers: 5. El Mo has the blinkers on after his close second here two weeks ago at 1400m. Consistent type who has drawn well and he’s an each-way chance at least. 11. Love My Cashews won so easily second-up to make it two from two, question mark on the strength of the form but she had panels on them last time so rather include than dismiss. 14. He's A Given didn't have any luck first-up at Wyong so forget that, though the run was handy under the circumstances. Tends to perform well on his home track and no surprise to see him show up.
How to play it: Handspun WIN ($3.50 TAB Fixed Odds).
Handspun finishes strongly to win at Kembla Grange on May 14
