Raceday focus: Best bets, inside mail for Warwick Farm
After going down as favourite on debut, a John O’Shea-trained three-year-old is set to bounce back. BEST BETS, INSIDE MAIL
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Daily Telegraph’s Racing Editor Ray Thomas gives his best bets and runs the rule over every race for Warwick Farm.
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WARWICK FARM
BEST BET
Race 2, No.5: PIZARRO
Pizarro started favourite on debut but was trapped four-wide with cover before running on well without threatening the speedy Clemenceau at Hawkesbury. Promising type improved by race experience and ready to win.
NEXT BEST
Race 6, No.5: RULE OF LAW
Rule Of Law wasn’t fully tested but still monstered his rivals to win a Warwick Farm barrier trial by five lengths two weeks ago. Drawn well, gets the benefit of form apprentice Jenny Duggan’s 2kg claim and is set to make a winning return to racing.
VALUE BET
Race 5, No.7: VIENNOISERIE
Viennoiserie made her debut at Gosford and after settling at the rear of the field early, made a wide run from the 500m and powered over the top of her rivals two win impressively. Beautifully bred mare capable of handling the class rise.
QUADDIE:
Race 4: 5,9
Race 5: 1,5,7,8
Race 6: 5,12
Race 7: 7,12,14,17
JOCKEY TO FOLLOW
Champion jockey James McDonald has a powerful book of rides at the midweek meeting including favourites Pizarro (race 2), This’llbetheone (race 4), Hollywood Gossip (race 5) and Comrade Rosa (race 7).
TRAINER TO FOLLOW
John O’Shea trained 10 winners through November and his stable’s winning momentum is set to continue at Warwick Farm with Pizarro (race 2), This’llbetheone (race 4) and Comrade Rosa (race 7).
THE INSIDE MAIL FOR WARWICK FARM
RACE 1
A fascinating opener with some brilliant barrier trial performers set to debut or resume racing. One of these is Boomsong, a three-year-old by Group 1-winner Your Song out of Mabkhara, herself the dam of speedy sprinters Malkovich and Wandabaa. The Mark Newnham-trained Boomsong has looked dynamic in two recent Warwick Farm trial wins and will be hard to beat. Sir Crackle is the danger. He is a barrier trial star but is yet to bring that form to the races, where he has a city placing from three attempts. Miss Glenn has the early speed to take full advantage of her inside draw and there was a lot to like about her runaway Randwick trial win. Derry Groove, a striking chestnut by Star Turn, showed ability in his recent Warwick Farm heat win.
Bet: Boomsong to win, saver on Sir Crackle
RACE 2
Pizarro started favourite at Hawkesbury on debut but bumped into a promising type in Clemenceau who ran very fast time to win over 1100m. Promising Pizarro worked to the line nicely and will certainly appreciate going to 1200m. He’s awkwardly drawn and will need a touch of luck in running but he’s the one to beat. Gulf Of Panama is a well-bred three-year-old by champion Lonhro out of stakes winner Cabernet, already the dam of Group 2 winner Madam Rouge. He showed natural ability winning a recent Hawkesbury trial under a hold. Drawn to get control of this race and will give Pizarro something to chase. Auzstar didn’t have a lot of luck at Gosford and is improving with racing. Retrieval has trialled nicely in preparation for his return to racing.
Bet: Pizarro to win, saver on Auzstar each way
RACE 3
This race features a return clash between Oceanic Flash and Tea Leaves. They staged a thrilling duel at Wyong with the former edging out his rival in a close finish. Although Oceanic Flash meets Tea Leaves slightly better at the weights, I’m leaning to the latter to exact revenge. Tea Leaves fought hard when challenged last start and has been improved by three runs from a spell. Oceanic Flash is chasing a hat-trick and is a tough stayer. Apache Belle enjoys heavy tracks and is racing well. Etheridge, part-owned by Racenet’s Clinton Payne, has won in heavy conditions and is at generous odds.
Bet: Box trifecta 1,5,8,10
RACE 4
Intriguing match-up between emerging mare Al Sahara and unbeaten three-year-old This’llbetheone. I have a slight leaning to Al Sahara who finally won her maiden at her 12th start when she unleashed a good burst of acceleration to win by a widening margin at Scone. This is obviously a stronger race but she could go right on with it now she has broken through. This’llbetheone has won his two starts and the form around him is very good. He did do a few things wrong at Hawkesbury last start but he’s obviously got talent. Carolina Fire is a genuine mare and although she is drawn off the track, has the tactical speed to negate her wide draw and give a sight here at good odds. Obvious Step hasn’t been far away in recent starts and is likely to get the run of the race.
Bet: Al Sahara each way
RACE 5
Viennoiserie showed potential at the trials and created a big impression at her race debut when she came with a powerful surge to overwhelm her rivals at Gosford. She won with authority and can only be improved by the race experience. This race will be a test for her but she’s a promising mare and will be finishing hard. Tillotson has to overcome an awkward draw but she did well to score at Canterbury in heavy going last start. Hollywood Gossip is a speedy filly and was run down right on the line at Canterbury last start. She’s dropping back to 1100m which will suit her. Russbuss was withdrawn from Rosehill last Saturday in preference for this easier race and she is ready to strike top form after two runs from a spell.
Bet: Viennoiserie each way, box trifecta 1,5,7,8
RACE 6
Rule Of Law showed ability last season including successive provincial wins but he hasn’t raced since February when unplaced at Canterbury. He has looked sharp at the trials, most notably his runaway win in a Warwick Farm heat two weeks ago. Rule Of Law has been effective on rain-affected tracks previously and can make a winning return to racing. Walkin’ Talkin’ is a speedy young sprinter and he zoomed away from his rivals in a recent Warwick Farm trial win. The wide draw is a concern. Ocean Emperor is fitter for recent racing but needs an improving track. Kennedy Choice resumes here but did race very consistently over an extended campaign earlier in the season.
Bet: Rule Of Law to win
RACE 7
Tough race to close the meeting. Comrade Rosa is short enough in betting but she has displayed plenty of potential at her only two starts. She powered home to win on debut at Kembla then got back early before working her way through the field to finish third to the smart Shihonka at Rosehill. She will be giving her rivals a start from the turn but expect her to be finishing fast again. Big watch on Honeycreeper. The Godolphin filly is resuming but her recent Hawkesbury barrier trial win was very impressive. Sweet Ruby is a tough filly and found a way to win at Wyong. Noble Beauty was unlucky at Gosford and has made a good start to her race career.
Bet: Box trifecta 7,12,14,17
Originally published as Raceday focus: Best bets, inside mail for Warwick Farm
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