Warwick Farm best bets, inside mail for Wednesday, January 8, 2025

A Matthew Smith-trained galloper didn’t have a lot of luck in the straight at Randwick last start but can bounce back on his home track. BEST BETS, INSIDE MAIL

Winston Hills can bounce back from a luckless run last start. Picture: Bradley Photos

Racenet and The Daily Telegraph form analyst Adam Sherry provides his best bets and race-by-race analysis at Warwick Farm 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!

WARWICK FARM TIPS

BEST BET

Race 7 No.5: Winston Hills

Stormed home to win first-up then ridden closer and not a lot of luck last start. Set to bounce back.

NEXT BEST

Race 4 No.5: Bartolf

Had a tough run first-up then given time before a big win last time out. Can go back-to-back.

VALUE BET

Race 3 No.1: Alice Mae

Come again after interference near the 200m last start. Drawn well and gets a 2kg claim.

BEST EXOTIC

Quinella Race 3: 1, 3

QUADDIE

Race 4: 4, 5

Race 5: 1, 2, 4

Race 6: 3, 9, 10

Race 7: 5, 9

JOCKEY TO FOLLOW

Jockey Billy Loughnane and trainers John O’Shea and Tom Chalton can combine for a winning double.

WARWICK FARM INSIDE MAIL

RACE 1: MAIDEN HANDICAP (1400m)

Blue Vein jumped well from the outside gate before being taken back to last and running home for a three-quarter-length third to Endure when resuming over 1400m at Randwick on Boxing Day. Should settle closer from the inside gate. Vetwelve also got back after being wide early and was doing his best work late when second to Stagnum over 1250m at Canterbury first-up on Dec 20. Will appreciate the step up in distance. Sunshine Law was wide and without cover from the 700m when runner-up to Pretty Powerful on the Beaumont first-up.

Bet: Blue Vein to win

RACE 2: MAIDEN PLATE (1200m)

Believe In Angels tracked the leader and was crowded between horses for the last 50m, unable to be fully tested, when second behind Sunday Tycoon over 1100m at Wyong on Dec 21. Will be improved by the run and the extra distance. Our Little Star was caught three-wide outside the speed when sixth to Sunday Tycoon last start. Close third to Arriving Home here before that. Gets a good run from the draw. Railway Man faced a similar scenario when fourth behind the promising Tuileries over 1250m first-up at Canterbury on Dec 13. Should have finished closer.

Bet: Believe In Angels to win

RACE 3: BENCHMARK 72 (1600m)

Alice Mae brought up the hat-trick when she returned from a let-up with a narrow in over Bully For You in a BM68 at Newcastle. She then stepped up to a BM72 Midway at Randwick when fourth to Emmadella after suffering interference at the 200m. Gets a 2kg claim. It’s A Wonder was fifth in that same Midway after inside runs in the straight. Nice win coming from last when resuming at Hawkesbury three weeks earlier. Heaven Bound was a big winner over 1600m at Kembla first-up before steeping up to 1900m her next three runs. Back to the mile.

Bet: Alice Mae each-way

RACE 4: BENCHMARK 72 (1200m)

Bartolf sat three-wide with cover and worked to the line OK first-up at Wyong on Oct 31. A handy Canterbury trial on Dec 3 was followed by a stylish win from Shelstein on the Beaumont on 16 days later. Codetta ended her first prep with a Newcastle win and returned with back-to-back wins at Kembla and Canterbury. Stepped up to Saturday grade with a fourth behind Arriving Home at Randwick. Don’t Doubt Merlin was held up behind the leaders in the straight when just over a length away in fifth behind Audette at Randwick on Boxing Day.

Bet: Bartolf to win

RACE 5: BENCHMARK 72 (1600m)

Malabar kicked off his campaign with a narrow win from Subarctic over this track and distance. He only just got there but it was the first time he has won first-up and will take improvement from it. Ravello was unable to be tested over the last 50m when eight to Perfect Thought at Randwick on Dec 14. He is unbeaten at the track and gets in well with the 3kg claim. Happy Saturday scored a smart win in record time at Wyong then backed-up seven days later when seventh to Malabar. Freshened for this.

Bet: Malabar each-way

RACE 6: BENCHMARK 72 (1000m)

Storm The Ramparts missed a place for just the second time in his 10-start career when a length fourth behind Audette over 1000m at Randwick first-up. Placed in both second-up runs and gets his chance to add a win from a good gate. Winchester debuted with a fifth in the Listed Talindert. Returned with a handy win at Sandown in July before a fifth in the Group 3 Vain Stakes. Rantan is in terrific form winning two of her last three, the latest from Iron Will over this track and distance.

Bet: Storm The Ramparts to win

RACE 7: BENCHMARK 72 (1400m)

Winston Hills stormed home from last to win at Canterbury first-up then jumped well and raced handy but didn’t get a lot of luck in the straight when fourth to Noble Conqueror at Randwick. Has a strong record and can bounce back. The Replicant has only won twice in 32 starts but one of them was over this track and distance. He is a consistent placegetter with 19 minors. Drawn to get a good run and ready to peak third-up. Destiny’s Delight is resuming and has won first-up previously. Kept under a good hold when fourth in her Beaumont trial on Dec 4.

Bet: Winston Hills to win