Raceday focus: Best bets, inside mail for Kensington

Following an impressive win last time out, the John Thompson-trained Deep Finesse can close out the day on a winning note. BEST BETS, INSIDE MAIL

Trainer John Thompson has an exciting colt in Deep Finesse who is looking to make it two in a row at Kensington Wednesday. Picture: Getty Images

Daily Telegraph form analyst Matt Jones gives his best bets and runs the rule over every race for Kensington.

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!

KENSINGTON

BEST BET

Race 8, No.7: DEEP FINESSE

He won by four lengths last start and has the added bonus of James McDonald jumping on who barrier trialled him in the lead up to this. He could dominate again.

NEXT BEST

Race 3, No.2: PODIUM

It’s always a good sign when horses win at trips short of their best. He was a winner a long way out from home first-up and should be going on with it here.

VALUE BET

Race 2, No.11: LUCKY VARIETY

Off her latest barrier she looks to be pretty decent and is in a good race here but might be starting overs from barrier two under Hugh Bowman.

QUADDIE

Race 5: 1, 2, 3, 4

Race 6: 2, 4, 6, 7

Race 7: 1, 4, 8, 11

Race 8: 3, 7, 13

Ellen Hennessy could be in for a good day with several good rides for the day. Picture: Getty Images

JOCKEY TO WATCH

Apprentice Ellen Hennessy might upstage the big boys here with good chances like Mad As Zariz, Spanish Point and Washington Towers.

TRAINER TO WATCH

Kris Lees will fancy his chances on Wednesday because he’s placed Lucky Variety, Terrameades, Azarmin, Sequana and Spanish Point very well.

THE INSIDE MAIL FOR KENSINGTON

RACE 1

O’Tycoon was scratched which makes things easier for the opposition here. Baroque Road has also won all of his barrier trials on wet ground and should look to cross them and sit on the speed from a wide gate. Bernasconi wasn’t asked to do too much is his latest barrier trial but that’s typical of Team Hawkes and he’s by Deep Field so he should handle the wet. Toronomica went through the line well first-up at Muswellbrook and he ran four lengths behind Slipper winner Fireburn on debut.

Bet: Toronomica each way

RACE 2

Koshu looked the goods in her only barrier trial when sitting back then cruising up to them a winning. She was ridden that day by leading jockey James McDonald and he sticks with her for the debut run from a decent enough gate. Shadow Vampire has drawn better in three and won a barrier trial in good fashion when not asked to do too much. She looks to be right in this. It’s hard not to be impressed with Lucky Variety’s trial. She won without much effort and should get every hope in what looks a race with many promising horses.

Bet: Lucky Variety to win

RACE 3

Podium has been very consistent to start his career and did what odds on favourites do first-up and won by two lengths at Newcastle with a bit left in hand and looked like he would be even better at 1550m this time. Terrameades ran behind an in-form horse at this track three weeks ago after two nice wins. She’s very fit now and prepared to run this trip. Duke Of Gordon looks to win his third race on the trot and is loving he wet tracks but this one won’t be bottomless like the ones he’s been winning on is lesser grade so that’s the query. Toesonthenose had excuses last time but was finishing off well.

Bet: Podium to win

Jason Collett rides Podium for trainer Chris Waller on Wednesday. Picture: Getty Images

RACE 4

Mad As Zariz is racing in great form. Even when he loses he doesn’t go down by much and deserves to come back to town and get another win. She’s never missed a placing on heavy tracks but is still good on top of the ground. Azarmin wants more ground but has two first-up wins to her name so this 1300m should suit her. Briars Kingdom peak now third-up while we should expect a much better result for import Troll Peninsula at its second Australian run under Hugh Bowman.

Bet: Mad As Zariz to win

RACE 5

Ita has been given a six-week freshen up after nearly winning the Orange Cup behind stablemate Shameonus and Bjorn Baker is good at this. She’s super consistent and handles all going. She deserves a win. Niffler hasn’t lost first-up and Chris Waller has put the tongue tie on her for the first time. She’s a genuine Saturday-class mare who looks well placed here. Finepoint is only lightly raced but has won at this track already and is a gritty customer who will make them earn it. I like Black Queen fresh and looks the one to back at decent enough odds.

Bet: Black Queen each way

RACE 6

Po Kare Kare is a work in progress and has had some issues with her behaviour but has still be performing well on race day which is a good sign. She’s spelled and become a better horse so looks for a good showing under James McDonald. Glittery has also been given some time off to mature and she should stalk the speed here and enjoy the bigger track. Boomsong is an imposing type who bolted in fresh at Kembla Grange and should be going on with it here while racing on the speed and perhaps leading them into the straight and proving hard to run down.

Bet: Quinella 2, 6

Nash Rawiller (pictured) partners the Tony Sergi-trained Island Bay Boy for the first time on Wednesday. Picture: Getty Images

RACE 7

From The Bush beat Island Bay Boy home last start but it was finishing off strongly and gets a 3.5kg weight swing in its favour this time so the tables could be turned easily. Green Flash is an improver second-up and is a gelding these days and has a powerful team behind him. Commander Bell is also an improver over more ground and looks the one at odds to consider. Comme Bella Fille has run close behind Huetor and has good fresh form so isn’t completely out of this.

Bet: Island Bay Boy to win

RACE 8

Deep Finesse looks very promising and bolted in at Warwick Farm four weeks by nearly five lengths and James McDonald hops on now and the bubble cheeker has been applied as he learns his trade. Plenty of talent in him though. Washington Towers scored a dominant win last week when leading throughout and he rarely runs poorly. Sepoy Star made a bright start to its career last time in and looks nice and forward for this off some decent barrier trials.

Bet: Deep Finesse to win

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