By Nick Berney
Trainer John O’Shea brings a strong hand of runners to Warwick Farm on Thursday, none more so than lightly raced improver Junqueira who contests the Too Darn Hot First Yearlings Handicap (1200m).
The three-year-old was a dominant winner last start at the Gold Coast, and she did it in style, running slick overall time.
Trainer John O’Shea.Credit:Getty
Further, she impressively did it on both ends facing the breeze at a fast tempo and recorded some of the fastest closing splits of the meeting to bound away from her rivals.
The filly profiles well for this event with a positive race set-up, and James McDonald rides.
In addition, she is on an upwards ratings spiral, and a repeat of her last performance will make her hard to beat.
The recently gelded Shadow Devil looms as a threat and looks to have returned well after a quiet trial.
He raced well at this track last prep without luck in strong time races, and if he can bring that form expect him to be savaging the line.
One of the more intriguing runners of the day is Outlawed, who is set to break through for her maiden win in the Fujitsu General Plate (1100m).
The three-year-old resumes after two solid trials and looks to have come back improved.
Before spelling, she was heavily backed on debut $3.80-$2.90 late in the trade and was brave in defeat, running second.
Moreover, that race rated well in comparison to the day, and there have been four subsequent winners to confirm the form.
Expect jockey Brenton Avdulla to roll forward from the wide draw, and she will take some catching.
The Les Bridge-trained Smart Legend is wound up for this after being ridden aggressively to find the line in a recent heat at Randwick.
He had no luck first-up last prep when starting hard in the market but lost momentum at a critical stage on a testing track and battled on OK.
The colt has a tricky barrier, but he will storm home and look to have the last shot.
BEST BET:
Race 1: (6) OUTLAWED
NEXT BEST:
Race 4: (10) JUNQUIERA
BEST VALUE:
Race 5: (1) SILENT AGENDA, (4) REGAL POM
Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au
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