By Ray Hickson
Selections based on a soft track.
Race 1 – 1:25PM RICHARDSON & SINCLAIR/ QLD COTTON CLASS 2 (1600 METRES)
1. Wunambal is clearly the horse to beat and it probably comes down to what run he gets with the 62kg. Had a similar weight when narrowly beaten at Coonamble third-up where he fought hard.
Dangers: 5. Yallah Sunrise has been going well without winning and was forced back to last from the outside gate at Wagga before weaving through into a placing. Smaller field suits and has a case. 4. Zachariah backs up after a handy second at Muswellbrook on Tuesday though is no better off at the weights for going up to a Class 2 here. That said he’s one of the main hopes. 2. Eezee Boomer broke the drought with a couple of heavy track wins earlier in spring before failing in a Highway. Better effort last time at Quirindi with a big weight. Has a show.
How to play it: Wunambal WIN. Trifecta 1/ 2,4,5/2,4,5. Odds & Evens: ODDS.
The Cotton Cup is the feature race on an eight-race card at Warren.Credit:Fairfax
Race 2 – 2:00PM NUTRIEN AG SOLUTIONS MAIDEN PLATE (1400 METRES)
12. Winning Factor has been sound in three runs for the new stable and she might appreciate a bit of give in the track after an even third at Dubbo last week. Narrowly beaten on a soft surface prior and should take running down.
Dangers: 14. Edith’s Joy didn’t do much in her first three runs back then much improved showing to be fourth at Dubbo a week ago. Has the draw to get every chance to feature in the finish this time. 5. The Drafter isn’t far off breaking into the placings. He stayed on well for a close fourth last time at Coonamble in a similar race. Go well. 13. Yael’s Delight made her debut for the new yard with a solid second at Dubbo on Tuesday. Has drawn well and gets the claim.
How to play it: Winning Factor WIN; Trifecta 12/5,13,14/5,13,14. Odds & Evens: EVENS.
Race 3 – 2:35PM MATT’S MATES CLASS 3 HANDICAP (1200 METRES)
2. Demeurer might be a good each-way hope on the back of a very handy first-up run last week over 1000m, which he found too short. Both wins last prep were at 1400m so this trip suits better and gets a handy claim.
Dangers: 5. Hurn Court was beaten second-up as an odds-on favourite at Dubbo but ran well before having no hope in a Highway after going back to last from a wide gate. Forgive that, he’s a big threat here. 1. Preemptory has a big weight and wide gate but is a very interesting runner first up for Danny Williams. Last couple were on the synthetic at Pakenham, no recent trials. Keep safe. 6. Hampton Cove is fairly consistent. Bounced back from a flop at Bathurst in September to box on for third there a few weeks ago. Worth including.
How to play it: Demeurer E/W; Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Race 4 – 3:15PM MACQUARIE TOYOTA/ CUMBERLAND COUNTRY GOLF CLUB MDN (1000M)
1. Piece Of Turf charged home for placings at her first two starts then just fair at Gosford after going back again. First time she’s drawn a barrier and if she can jump with them she should be hard to beat.
Dangers: 10. Tablet is a first starter who could be worth watching given a couple of nice trials, the latest behind a promising type who won by a big margin at his debut this week. Gate no help but if she’s handy she could be in the finish. 4. Vanoureuce is also on debut and trialled well against open company a couple of times last month. In good hands and is another worth watching. 14. Vivaliscious is a 16-start maiden but she’s been racing well of late. Safely held by the winner at Coonamble last time but stuck on well there. Each-way hopes.
How to play it: Piece Of Turf WIN; Trifecta 1/ 4,10,14/1,10,14; Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Race 5 – 3:51PM HALCROFT & BENNETT P/L BENCHMARK 58 HANDICAP (1000 METRES)
1. Extra Flash has another wide gate to contend with but will be fitter for a nice return at Coonamble last week. Sat handy there so expecting he’ll go forward and any improvement would see him hard to beat.
Dangers: 7. Foxstorm comes through the same race where he held his ground in third. Drifter in betting there and while he’s only won one from 21 he’s placed three of his last four so has to go in the mix. 3. Apollo Star led all the way to a big maiden win at Coonamble first-up a week ago. Likely to try the same tactic here from the wide gate and being so lightly raced is worth keeping in mind. 2. The Big Seal led them up in the race Extra Flash finished second, he drew wide there and did a bit of work. Again has a tough gate but is honest and can’t be left out.
How to play it: Extra Flash WIN; Odds & Evens: ODDS.
Race 6 – 4:30PM B & D BROUFF EARTHMOVING P/L WARREN J.C. SPRINT (1200 METRES)
8. Morgenstern is an up-and-coming sprinter who has been dynamic in two easy wins in lesser class this time in and with a weight drop has his chance to measure up. Should get a decent speed to allow him to hit the line. Good chance.
Dangers: 6. Seguso is a big query having his first run for Cody Morgan. Form in Victoria was solid and he’s trialled quite well on two occasions. Gate one is a plus and the market will be interesting. 4. Activation is smart on his day though might be a touch better at 1300m or so. Trialled sharply as usual leading into this and he’s sure to be hitting the line strongly. 7. Dubbo Wanderer won impressively at Tamworth on a heavy track then back to 900m at Muswellbrook last week and just fair. Entitled to another chance as he’s still lightly raced.
How to play it: Morgenstern WIN; Trifecta 8/4,6,7/4,6,7; Odds & Evens: EVENS.
Race 7 – 5:04PM QUBE LOGISTICS COTTON CUP (1600 METRES)
5. All Words wasn’t himself when pushing forward at Newcastle last week and that’s best forgiven. He was impressive winning three starts back at Dubbo from a soft gate and gets that set up here. Can make an impact.
Dangers: 2. Great Buy seems to be battling for form but hasn’t been too far away over sprint trips in all five runs this prep. Goes to the mile and likely rolls onto the speed. If he gets any control he will be hard to beat. 1. A Magic Zariz is always a chance in a race like this. Forgive his failure at Wagga back in trip and on a heavy track. If he runs up to this Coonamble Cup third at Dubbo he’s right in it. 4. The Long Run was gutsy in the Coonamble Cup holding on to fourth after racing on speed. Yet to miss a place in four runs here and is an each-way hope.
How to play it: All Words WIN; Trifecta 5/1,2,4/1,2,4; Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Race 8 – 5:40PM HUTCHEON & PEARCE BENCHMARK 58 HANDICAP (1400 METRES)
8. Owhata Crumpet has been around the mark in three runs from a year off the scene and has found a race she should be competitive in. Close up at Dubbo a month ago, draws one and has every chance.
Dangers: 2. Vital Verse is stuck on one win from 18 starts but has been just behind the placings in his last couple in similar races. Must be included in the chances. 5. Starane is racing in super form and just needs some luck from the wide gate to be effective here. Nice maiden winner two back then solid at Dubbo last weekend. 1. Memories made a good impression at his local debut winning at Bathurst a few weeks back off a wide gate. Again drawn out but fitter and could hold her form.
How to play it: Owhata Crumpet WIN; Odds & Evens: EVENS.
Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au.
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