Raceday focus: Best bets, inside mail for Kensington

A half-sister of champion Winx can notch her first win for new trainer Joe Pride at Kensington on Wednesday. BEST BETS, INSIDE MAIL

City Of Lights will have her second start for Joe Pride at Kensington on Wednesday. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images

Daily Telegraph form analyst Mitch Cohen gives his best bets and runs the rule over every race for Kensington on Wednesday.

The Form: Complete NSW Racing thoroughbred form, including video replays and all you need to know about every horse, jockey and trainer. Find a winner here!

BEST BET

Race 2 No.6: Mogwai

Returns a gelding with a couple of solid performance. Looks ready for a big first-up run.

NEXT BEST

Race 1 No.3: City Of Lights

A half-sister to superstar mare Winx, she looks to be a talented galloper herself. Expect her to win the opener.

VALUE BET

Race 5 No.10: Marenaro

The Chris Waller-trained colt got the maiden out of the way last time with an impressive display. A repeat of that performance should have him in the finish.

BEST EXOTIC

All Up – Race 2 No.6, Race 1 No.3

QUADDIE

Race 4 – 1, 2, 3

Race 5 – 5, 9, 10

Race 6 – 1, 10

Race 7 – 4, 5, 7

JOCKEY TO FOLLOW

Chad Schofield will begin a suspension after this Saturday but can strike before then with three great winning chances.

Chad Schofield will be striving for a few wins this week before he begins a suspension. Picture: Getty Images

INSIDE MAIL

RACE 1

City Of Lights has a lot to live up to as the half-sister to champion mare Winx but she’s shown her fair share of promise. The lightly-raced mare is by Deep Impact out of Winx’s mum, Vegas Showgirl, and is lining up for her second start under Joseph Pride. Her first run for The Everest-winning trainer was an excellent fifth over the 1250m at this venue a fortnight ago with the step up to 1550m ideal. Petersham returns from a break after running 10th in a Group 3 Kembla Grange Classic. She’s trialled up well and comes from the in-form Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott yard. Harlow Miss brought up a winning hat-trick with a win in the VRC Oaks trial and will be doing her best work late.

Bet: City Of Lights to win.

RACE 2

Mogwai has had the ultimate gear change since his first campaign. The Godolphin galloper was good without winning in three debut prep runs, twice placing. His trials in the lead up to his return would indicate he’s ready for a strong showing first up. Keenan has to be a big change on the seven-day back up. It took a handy one to beat him when Need Some Luck edged him out over 1200m at Warwick Farm last Wednesday. Armed Forces returns from Melbourne after a couple of competitive runs at The Valley, including a fifth in stakes grade. He should be rock hard fit now third up from a break.

Bet: Mogwai to win.

RACE 3

Ostraka is a lightly-raced colt by Pariah that’s returned in good order this preparation. The Annabel Neasham-trained colt ran a solid third behind subsequent Tapp-Craig winner Makarena first up before breaking his maiden with a dominant Rosehill Gardens win. He goes up 3.5kg from that win but he’s a colt on the up. Rhythm Of Love has a win and two seconds to his name already this time in. He was a narrow second to Body Bob at his last visit to this venue but 5.5kg on that performance. Head Of The Herd fell in as a $1.55 elect last time on the Beaumont track and should give them something to catch from out in front.

Bet: Ostraka to win.

RACE 4

Iknowastar is a winning machine with seven wins from 14 starts to his name. He made it a winning hat-trick last start at this venue with a dominant all the way victory over 1400m. Apprentice Amy McLucas’s claim helps him get in with 61kg from an inside draw that can help her lead her rivals on a merry dance again. Touristic is returning from a spell but has performed well fresh before with three placings from four attempts. This will be short of his best but expecting him to be strong late. Holymanz should relish the step up in trip after a couple of suitable runs over shorter journeys. He’s a stakes quality galloper on his day.

Bet: Iknowastar to win.

RACE 5

Marenaro is a half-brother to former Coolmore Stud Stakes winner Home Affairs but isn’t built to be a sprinter like his sibling. He’s by Dundeel and certainly looks to throw towards his father’s side. He showed his staying qualities with a dominant maiden win over 1900m at Gosford last time and gets a perfect draw with 54kg here. Port Lockroy is dropping back from a fifth in the Listed Dulcify last start. That’s good form for a race like this if he handles the step up to 1800m for the first time. Buillt only needs to back up his strong Warwick Farm win last time to be competitive again here while Loving Cilla shouldn’t be discounted.

Bet: Marenaro to win. Quinella 5,9,10

RACE 6

Whincat has built a nice record of three wins and two placings from seven starts to begin his career. Two of those successes have come at his past two runs, including a comfortable victory on pace over the Rosehill Gardens over 1400m. He goes up 3kg from that win but gets the draw to control things again. Schwarz was very impressive when leading and winning his only start by 3¼ lengths at Gosford. He looks a promising type but you’ll have to take odds on. Vinnie’s Spirit did more than enough in his first run for more than a year and should be a marked improver.

Bet: Whinchat to win. Quinella 3,10.

RACE 7

Wondereach is a speedy type that knows how to win. The Matthew Smith-trained gelding has won three of his six starts and can add another win to his resume here. Smith has given him a month since his win over 900m at Newcastle but he has trialled brilliantly since then. Selous has only been given a couple of quiet trials ahead of his return but is a winner and placegetter first up before. He‘s among the chances from a good draw in barrier six. Spirit Queen is debuting for new trainers Ciaron Maher and David Eustace. She has previously raced consistently in Queensland and should improve the further she gets into this prep.

Bet: Wondereach to win.

Originally published as Raceday focus: Best bets, inside mail for Kensington