By Nick Berney
Selections based on a soft track. Monitor for bias/pattern.
RACE 1 – 1.05PM: FUJITSU GENERAL PLATE (1100 METRES)
Keen on 6. Outlawed first-up coming out of the John O’Shea yard, and she looks to have come back improved after two solid recent trials. The three-year-old was heavily backed on debut $3.80-$2.90 late in the trade and was brave in defeat, running second. She raced wide, sprinted some of the fastest closing splits of the meeting and beat the rest easily. In addition, that race rated well in comparison to the day, and there have been four subsequent winners to confirm the form. The lightly raced filly profiles well for this event, can roll forward and brings a competitive figure.
Racing returns to Warwick Farm on Thursday.Credit:Getty
Dangers: Forget 2. Smart Legend’s first start where he had no luck and lost momentum at a key stage on a testing track. He has trialled well for this assignment and will be hitting the line hard. 1. Shalatin made an early move last start after being trapped wide early and held on for second, beating the rest easily. Moreover, he was brave in defeat and will be thereabouts again. 4 Coriolis has a positive race set-up, and James McDonald rides.
How to play it: Outlawed to win.
Odds and Evens: Split.
RACE 2 – 1.40PM: DRINKWISE PLATE (1400m)
9. The Englishman was given no peace first-up at this track/distance 15 days ago in a solid time race and, to his credit, he battled on well to hold fourth place. Further, the late market moves suggested he would improve from the run and his sectional profile supports this. The Peter and Paul Snowden galloper can roll forward from the wide draw and Sam Clipperton rides for the first time. Expect a bold showing. Each-way.
Dangers: 12. Wild Calm had almost a year off the scene before having factors against her first-up at the Gold Coast. She found a high-pressure race and also had the bias against her. Add 10. Lady Percival’s and 11. Venelope to trifectas and first fours.
How to play it: The Englishman to win.
Odds and Evens: Split.
RACE 3 – 2.15PM: FURPHY HANDICAP (1600m)
Tricky race. Forget 3. Zouson Boy’s last start where he missed the start significantly and resented being out of his usual racing pattern. He can bounce back here with an aggressive ride early and all his peak figures have come when racing on the pace. Additionally, he is rock-hard fit and has a solid starting price profile. Each-way.
Dangers: 10. Gleefilly was perfectly ridden to break through for her maiden win but repeating that effort can put her in the finish. 6. Ausbred Rising Sun caught the eye when winning on debut and has had a quiet tick-over trial between runs. 4. Glowing Gold can figure near the finish as well.
How to play it: Zouson Boy to win.
Odds and Evens: Split.
RACE 4 – 2.50PM: TOO DARN HOT FIRST YEARLINGS HANDICAP (1200m)
10. Junqueira was ultra-impressive doing it on both ends last start and produced a career peak figure. She faced the breeze in a fast tempo, and once asked for an effort, she sprinted away from her rivals, clocking some of the fastest closing splits of the meeting. Additionally, that race rated highly relative to the day and the decisive margins confirmed the quality. The John O’Shea galloper has a positive race set-up, is on an upwards ratings spiral and repeating her last-start effort will make her hard to beat.
Dangers: 5. Shadow Devil returns as a gelding and has had a quiet trial leading into this event. He was solid in time races last prep and the four-year-old races well at this track. 1. The Big Easy maps to do no work throughout transit, and if he gets the breaks, he’ll be charging late. 8. Bitcoin Baby is ticking over well and 2. Walkin’talkin’ has been a model of consistency this campaign.
How to play it: Junqueira to win.
Odds & Evens: Split.
RACE 5 – 3.25PM: CASTELVECCHIO FIRST YEARLINGS HANDICAP (1400m)
1. Silent Agenda, who represents value, must carry a hefty weight but profiles well for this event and all key indicators suggest he is ready to peak. The gelding had the bias against him last start at Rosehill in a stronger grade, but to his credit, he ran on hard into third and clocked slick closing splits. Additionally, he beat home Cuban Royale, who subsequently won a a listed race. Jason Collett rides and he gets back to his home track. Chance.
Dangers: 4. Regal Pom was outstanding in defeat last start at Rosehill, finishing fourth. The four-year-old had to chase a fast tempo throughout, was checked at the top of the straight but never shirked his task to the line. He has a strong platform and the rise in distance is ideal. Improving Chris Waller-trained galloper 10. Cadetship brings proven form lines to this event and can go on with it third-up. 7. Mission Value will relish the rise in trip and is a consistent type.
How to play it: Silent Agenda and Regal Pom both to win.
Odds and Evens: Split.
RACE 6 – 4PM: HYLAND RACE COLOURS HANDICAP (1000m)
13. Petulant, who resumes, won a recent trial at Rosehill in style and went through the line full of energy. The four-year-old gets in well at the weights and historically she produces her peak figures fresh over the 1000m specialist distance. Further, the wide draw is of little concern as she has the natural gate speed to offset that. The mare has the ability and expect a forward showing.
Dangers: 7. Blow Dart is wound up for this after three solid trials and brings solid form lines to this event. The blinkers come off, and any late market support will be key. 14. Silvanito went out a winner before spelling and has returned as a gelding. He has trialled well, and if he gets the breaks will be strong on the line. 4. Party For One can rate to win and 6. Zain’s Girl has a slight fitness edge over her rivals.
How to play it: Petulant to win.
Odds and Evens: Odds.
RACE 7 – 4.40PM: SCHWEPPES AUSTRALIA DAY CUP (2400m)
5. Parry Sound follows a similar pattern to last prep, where he was only narrowly beaten in this same race last year. Moreover, he produced one of his career peak figures that day and looks set to peak here after having no luck in his past two outings. The seven-year-old has a kind draw, receives a senior jockey for the first time this prep and is proven at the trip. Each-way.
Dangers: 11. Military Mission has been solid this prep and gets a positive race set-up here. He can roll forward from the kind with no weight and can give a sight. 1. Spirit Ridge kept finding under pressure last start to score at Flemington. James McDonald rides, and he brings strong form lines. 10. Raging Bull is a knockout chance, and 2. Bonny Ezra will look to have the last shot.
How to play it: Parry Sound each-way.
Odds and Evens: Odds.
RACE 8 – 5.20PM: TAB HANDICAP (1400m)
13. Wollombi resumed at Wyong 26 days ago after only having one soft trial leading into that event. The filly wasn’t suited to the sit/sprint race shape and had to make a long wide sustained run exerting a lot of energy first-up. Further, once balanced up, she hit the line hard, running the fastest 400m/200m splits of the meeting. She will be fitter for that effort, the step up in distance suits, and she maps to have all favours. In addition, the genuine tempo anticipated will benefit her and expect a bold showing. Each-way.
Dangers: 12. Ponca had every chance last start but was honest in a restricted group 3 race. Moreover, the winner of that race, Fashion Legend, has subsequently confirmed the form. She has a positive race set-up and brings the best last-start figure. 8. Arranmore is the only last-start winner engaged and add 10. Beirut Miss.
How to play it: Wollombi each-way.
Odds and Evens: Split.
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
