By Ray Hickson
Selections based on a good to soft track.
Race 1 – 1:25PM DRINKWISE PLATE (1400 METRES)
10. Ring Ahoy wasn’t able to wind up in the heavy ground at Canterbury last time after being held up but form on good ground prior suggested a win is very close. Will need some luck in running but sure to hit the line hard again. Each-way.
Ring Ahoy looks good value in race one at Warwick Farm.Credit:Getty
Dangers: 6. Golden Age had some support on debut and had every chance when fourth at Rosehill three weeks ago. Hit a flat spot in the straight, so the extra ground here probably suits and with the claim is dangerous. 9. Oriental Tycoon hasn’t raced since May when he made a very handy debut at Kensington, charging into second from near last over 1100m. Fitter for a couple of trials around that trip and is one to keep an eye on first-up. 4. Awesome John probably should have finished a lot closer first-up at Kembla after being blocked for a run at a vital stage. Warmed up nicely late into third and is well worth thought.
How to play it: Ring Ahoy E/W. Odds & Evens: EVENS.
Race 2 – 1:20PM TAB HANDICAP (1400 METRES)
2. King Frankel is a short-priced favourite and does look the most progressive of these. Nice strong win at local debut then not disgraced at Randwick where he wasn’t able to find the fence. Down in grade, has every chance.
Dangers: 5. Inuwashi had a hard luck story here last time out, he was fifth across the line but promoted to fourth on protest after being badly affected by interference. Should run well. 8. Akahata comes off a forgive run at Canterbury on a heavy 10. Previously runner-up in three straight to start this prep and he’s an each-way chance. 4. Bacio Del Mist is racing well and was a solid fourth in the same race as King Frankel at Randwick so has to be entertained as a chance. How to play it: King Frankel WIN; Trifecta 2/4,5,8/4,5,8. Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Race 3 – 1:55PM HOME AFFAIRS @ COOLMORE PLATE (1200 METRES)
4. Cool Kaap looks a handy type in the making and while beaten first-up at Canterbury you had to like the way he kept surging at the finish. Much fitter and a firmer track will suit, as will the extra ground. Sure to take beating.
Dangers: 3. Saturn Star did everything right in winning on debut at Rosehill after leading and fighting off all the challengers. Obviously up in class but he will go forward and give a good account again. 8. Chairman was shaping up well before failing on the heavy in the Tapp-Craig at Randwick. That can be overlooked completely and it wouldn’t surprise if he bounces back and features. 5. Czar looked home only to be tipped out in the last stride at Newcastle second-up. Blinkers go on and onto a firmer track for the first time this prep. Has a case.
How to play it: Cool Kaap WIN; Trifecta 4/3,5,8/3,5,8. Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Race 4 – 3:10PM FURPHY HANDICAP (1600 METRES)
3. Pharoah’s Reign bumped into what looks a promising galloper when tipped out over this course a couple of weeks back. Was freshened up going into that race so fitter here and should enjoy a nice run again. Only has to hold form to go close.
Dangers: 2. Miss Madison backed up a handy run here first-up with a win over 1400m on October 3. She did have a nice run behind them there and got the gap at the right time but she can only have upside and drawn to get a sweet run again. 7. Starstruck Barbie hasn’t done a lot wrong this time around and was run down by a smart one in Roots at Canterbury a month ago. Dry tracker who likes to race on the pace and shouldn’t be overlooked. 5. Thousand Years is an interesting runner first-up at a mile. First trial on the grass was sound then not asked for anything on the synthetic last time. Keep safe.
How to play it: Pharoah’s Reign WIN. Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Race 5 – 3:05PM HYLAND RACE COLOURS HANDICAP (1600 METRES)
4. Money From The Sky is still a work in progress but both runs back have been excellent and he did a great job to pick them up against the pattern here last time out. Stays at a mile and he’s not the type to take advantage of the draw but he’ll be hard to hold out.
Dangers: 7. Redwood Shadow has done a lot of threatening since joining the Joe Pride yard and he’s back to the mile after a very close up fourth here over 1400m off a five-week break. Have to keep him in the mix. 10. Lindermann might have been outclassed in the Dulcify at Randwick last time out but that was also on a heavy track. Previous efforts here were handy in this sort of class and he could easily bounce back. 1. Zakeriz came from off the pace to just miss two starts back then revelled in the heavy to lead all the way at Canterbury two weeks ago. Sure to give a sight up on the pace.
How to play it: Money From The Sky WIN; Trifecta 4/1,7,10/1,7,10. Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Race 6 – 3:40PM PALACE PIER @ DARLEY HANDICAP (1100 METRES)
9. Way To The Stars showed plenty of promise winning his first two starts before mixing his form and being gelded. Plenty to like about his couple of trial wins and he has the speed to put himself up there over the short trip. Watch betting but should go well.
Dangers: 4. Vianello might be the best horse in the race but not sure 1000m suits her even fresh. Off the scene since last spring where she was stakes placed at 1400m. Another market watch but likely a horse to follow out of the race. 3. Espirito hasn’t raced for a month when run down by Omni Man at Kembla over the 1000m. Lightly raced and has a handy record, expect he will go forward and could give a sight with the right run. 7. Ebhaar can mix her form at times but did run down Nasturtium to win over this course back in August. Down in class on last start at Rosehill on Golden Rose day and is capable of showing up.
How to play it: Way To The Stars WIN; Trifecta 9/3,4,7/3,4,7. Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Race 7 – 4:15PM SCHWEPPES HANDICAP (1400 METRES)
10. Shadow Devil just needs the breaks in the run and he’ll go close after two excellent seconds from as many runs this time in. They weren’t winning from where he came from last time and to get within half a length says he’s flying. Hard to beat.
Dangers: 14. Showtime Lady comes through the same race and showed a return to form with a gallant on pace third. Down 3kg here and will put herself on the pace. Must be considered. 11. The Poacher sprung a small surprise in that he came from well off them to score here a few weeks ago at 1200m. Drawn kinder this time around and up in distance might be much closer in the run. Definite chance. 8. Party For One is no doubt good enough on her best to be a big threat here. She was disappointing last time out in a small field but had 60kg and wasn’t in the right spot in the run. Worth another chance.
How to play it: Shadow Devil WIN; Trifecta 10/8,11,14/8,11,14. Odds & Evens: EVENS.
Race 8 – 4:50PM NEW TAB APP GLOAMING STAKES (1600 METRES)
4. Mensa Missile ran right up to a nice first-up effort at this track to run down Two Big Fari and score at Rosehill over this trip. Trialled since to keep the fitness up and drawn to stalk again. Should be right in the finish.
Dangers: 11. Picarones is back in Sydney after three runs this time in at Sandown and proved a bit too good there last time out. Up in class but hard to ignore. 6. Tony Be is a big watch first-up. Ran a cheeky race fresh last time in and while he hasn’t raced for almost a year he’s fitter for two trials and improved nicely into the second one. Could surprise. 12. Short Shorts led all the way to win over 1300m here then tried hard when run down by Miss Madison second-up. Takes on all comers this time but drawn to probably lead again and has to be considered.
How to play it: Mensa Missile WIN. Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au.
