By John Schell
Jockey Nick Heywood and trainer Mack Griffith will be out to strike winning form early when they combine with two leading chances in the opening two races at Warren.
Heywood will ride the Griffith-prepared Kuroshinzo in the Hutcheon And Pearce Showcase Super Maiden Plate (1400m) before partnering Pressnell in the Nutrien AG Solutions Country Boosted Maiden Handicap (1000m).
Jockey Nick Heywood.Credit: Bradley Photos
Kuroshinzo has three seconds to his name from 15 starts but has only had two starts in Griffith’s care, having previously been trained in Victoria by Luke Oliver. Kuroshinzo resumed with a second placing at Bathurst before a last-start seventh at Quirindi after leading.
Meanwhile, Pressnell showed plenty of ability winning his two trials before running well on debut at Scone when finishing second behind Quick Step.
TAB Fixed Odds had Pressnell as a short-priced favourite to win at Warren despite having an awkward gate in barrier 10 to contend with.
Griffith will have one other runner in action at Warren with Stratified contesting the Queensland Cotton Class 2 Handicap (1200m) with Jake Pracey-Holmes in the saddle.
Stratified won a maiden at Narromine three starts ago when having its first start for Griffith and has since been midfield in two runs at Coonamble and Quirindi.
Heywood, meanwhile, will have another two mounts in addition to his rides for Griffith.
The top country jockey will steer Driving Force in the Western Farm Machinery WJC Sprint Benchmark 82 Handicap (1200m) for trainer Darren Hyde.
Driving Force resumed from a spell with a solid victory at Tamworth when hitting the line well and since ran fourth to the talented Gallant Star at Dubbo before a last start sixth at Coonamble.
The Clint Lundholm-trained South Bullaway will be Heywood’s mount in the Halcroft And Bennett Benchmark 58 Handicap (1000m).
South Bullaway is resuming from a spell and led throughout to win a maiden at Coonamble in December of last year.
The Warren Jockey Club Cotton Cup (1600m) is the feature event of the day with the Michael Mulholland-trained and Clayton Gallagher-ridden Sea Of Flames rated as the early favourite.
