Inside mail: All the big bets, work whispers, trial pointers and quaddies for Warwick Farm

JOCKEY Grant Buckley has given punters a good lead by choosing to ride at Warwick Farm on Saturday.

POP quiz hotshots. Which jockey rode the most horses in the 2015/16 season — and probably never let his backers on more than a handful of them?

Answer? Grant ‘Bucko’ Buckley who will make a rare trip to Sydney for the metros on Saturday. Bucko has only four rides, bearing in mind he could have had the full dance card at Beaumont if he wanted, so take it as a pointer he’s at Warwick Farm instead.

HOT TIPS: WEEKEND BEST BETS

WARWICK FARM: SATURDAY BEST WITH RAY & DUFF

The experienced hoop, whose rides last year totalled an incredible 1080 for 103 wins and 228½ placings, kicks off in the opener aboard the underrated two-year-old Callmetrouble ($9.50), who raced on pace before carving out a length win in a 1000m Scone 2YO Handicap (1000m) on Christmas Eve.

Later on, Bucko will ride another impressive debut winner in the shape of Lady Ioness, who stands at undeniable chance of taking out the TAB Highway Handicap at big odds.

Grant Buckley has four rides at Warwick Farm on Saturday. Picture: Simon Bullard

Joan Pracey will leg Bucko aboard her speedy type King’s Tariff ($26) in a very competitive ATC Summer Sprint (1000m).

Bucko’s final ride on the card is on Pro Consul ($51) for his old mate Greg Bennett, aka the Mayor of Scone, a man who rarely leaves empty-handed when he makes the long road trip from the nation’s horse capital.

TAB BIG BETS

Race 1: Single Bullet has been smashed with TAB in early betting in from $2.10 to $1.40 with bets of $400 at $2.10 twice, $2.200 at $2, $1,500 at $1.95, $1.100 at $1.90, $1,000 at $1.85, $1,900 at $1.75 and $1,100 at $1.70

Race 2: Arbeistam has firmed in a half point from an opening quote of $8 with bets of $1,000 at $8.50 and $500 at $8

Race 3: The Kris Lees-trained Twist Tops is $8.50 into $7 with bets of $750 e/w at $8.50/$3.30 and $250 at $8

Race 4: Canberra visitor Yasnat is very solid, $9 into $7, with bets of $500 at $9, $250 e/w at $7/$2.20 twice and $200 at $7

Race 5: Imposing Lass with Deanne Panya riding is $3.50 into $2.60 with bets including $800 at $3.50 and $500 at the same price

Race 6: The very unlucky of late Rock Mylady is $8 into $5 with bets of $200 at $8 and $2,000 at $6, $200 at $5, in-form Kingsguard is $3.20 unchanged with one bet of $1,000 at $3.20

Race 7: Track specialist Mr Manhattan is $4-$3.60-$3.80 with bets including $200 at $4, $300 at $3.80, $200 at $3.60 while Sundance is popular, $7.50 into $5 with bets of $200 at $6.50 and $1,000 at $5

Race 8: Invinzabeel is well supported first-up, $8 into $5 with $300 on at $8.50, $1,000 at $6, $300 at $6 and $200 at $5. Ribal What Could be meanwhile is now $6 after opening at $15 on the TAB Fixed odds. bets include $200 at $9, $500 at $8, $750 at $7 and $300 at $7

Race 9: The ever consistent King Darci is $7 into $5 with one bet of $250 e/w at $5.50/$2.12

Yasnat has been a firmer in betting for the TAB Highway Handicap. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

THE BARRIERS

The best barriers for Warwick Farm for the last three years

(in order of most wins)

1000m: 4, 3, 2, 1

1100m: 4, 1, 7, 5

1200m: 1, 5, 7, 3

1400m: 3, 5, 7, 2

1600m: 4, 1, 2, 3

EARLY QUADDIE

Race 2: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Race 3: 1, 2, 5

Race 4: 1, 2, 9, 12

Race 5: 4

Suggested bet: $20

Bet percentage: 33.3

QUADDIE

Race 6: 3, 6, 8, 9

Race 7: 2

Race 8: 1, 2, 3, 7, 12

Race 9: 1, 4, 6, 11

Suggested bet: $20

Bet percentage: 25

PRICE CHECK

Redouble (race two) is a superbly bred racehorse that was coming again late when runner-up to Raiment first-up under lights at Canterbury and we all saw how unfortunate Raiment was last weekend. Better for the outing, extra metres will play into his hands.

TRIAL POINTERS

Mr Manhattan (race seven) is a local and something of a track/distance specialist being unbeaten at the Warwick Farm 1000m in two previous attempts. Races best fresh and Joe Pride afforded the son of Golden Slipper favourite She Will Reign’s sire, Manhattan Rain, and easy trial here the other day. Look for him late.

Hogmanay (race nine) is part-owned by Aussie cricket captain Steve Smith and racing legend Kenny Callander. The Chris Waller-trained son of Lonhro is aiming for the hat trick of wins having gone back to back at Rosehill. he has to prove himself away from his home track but he has been kept ticking over since the last win with a lovely trial on December 30.

Hogmanay will be chasing his third straight win on Saturday.

WORK WHISPERS

Single Bullet (race one) is from the stables of Gary Portelli who is in white hot form this summer particularly with his 2YO’s but let it be noted that the Magic Millions older pair of Straturbo and testashoaw are flying! Single Bullet was terrific on debut in the Wyong Magic Millions 2YO Classic after a lovely trial a month before. The son of Not A Single Doubt will have taken benefit from the experience. He worked at Warwick Farm on the A Gress this week over 1000m in 1:09, last 400m in 24.3s.

Kudero (race eight) is a Clarry Conners trained son of the mighty Choisir. The horse has a 3kgs claim today which will help against some pretty handy and in-form sprinters. Kuedero is racing at home which is obviously a plus so he can ‘walk to work’. The horse has pleased in his work, last Saturday he was on the Pro Ride over 800m timed in 59.27s with an unhurried last 400m in 28.81s. Don’t dismiss at the big odds.

BEST BET

Imposing Lass (race five) blew the start and lost all chance of winning first-up but closed of late to finish 4-lens behind the super talented Kinshachi at Randwick on Villers day. Drops 9.5kgs and has Deanne Panya on board this time so should be prominent throughout.

Go well.

EACH-WAY

Rock Mylady (race six) was unbelievably unlucky first-up and was similarly cursed next time out too. Surely the Snowden Racing trained gelding has spent all of that bad luck and is primed this time, third-up in an ideal race. Is 3s 2w at the venue.

THE JUDGMENT

WARWICK FARM

RACE 7: SUMMER SPRINT (1000m)

Toby Edmonds (trainer): Sundance: “He ran quick time (last start) so at Warwick Farm over 1000m with a light weight seems to fit the bill.’’

Glenn Munsie (TAB): “Mr Manhattan boasts a very good 1000m record and is already a winner at this track and distance. Likely to get back in a race with plenty of speed & finish too well for these. Dal Cielo is another who will appreciate a good pace. Scratched on raceday at Randwick recently but was strong at finish of his first up run at Muswellbrook six weeks ago.’’

Grant Palmer (bookie): “Mr Manhattan flies at the track and is racing in great order, however, we are keen to back Oxford Poet who looks primed to win first-up off the back of two sharp trial wins.’’

Blake Johnston (bookie): “Dal Cielo charged home first up and has had a soft trial since. He looks to have come back well and represents good value.’’

Terry Kennedy (Sky Sports Radio): “Should be good pace here. Super keen on Mr Manhattan, completely disregard his last start which reads eighth of eight. Loves Warwick Farm and is two from two track and distance. Plateau Gold drops massively in weight and could surprise.’’

Verdict: MR MANHATTAN

RACE 8: ATC #THERACES.COM.AU SPRINT (1200m)

James Innes jnr (jockey) Bogi: “He is a horse in with a light weight and he is going to be there. The Form around him is good and Matty Smith (trainer) does a great job with his horses.’’

Glenn Munsie (TAB): “Key to the race is Invinzabeel resuming. The booking of Hugh Bowman is an indicator of its chances being strong. Blinkers went on last campaign when winning both starts. Trialled at Rosehill at Recently when tracking leaders in a slowly run heat 7 let brush home. Ultra consistent Ziggy Willie has to be the danger in this grade.’’

Grant Palmer (bookie): “Bogie stepping up in grade here gets his chance, from the good gate he will give a sight for a long way and looks a terrific each-way bet. Meursault the obvious danger but his gate makes it a difficult assignment.

Blake Johnston (bookie): “What Could Be went to the line untested last start after his strong win at Newcastle. He shows some promise and will be right in the finish.’’

Terry Kennedy (Sky Sports Radio): “Already good early specking for What Could Be, coming off a luckless last start when just couldn’t get any clear galloping room. Has drawn barrier four and should be right in the finish. Invinzabeel is coming off a good trial and Hugh Bowman rides.’’

Verdict: WHAT COULD BE

RACE 9: TAB HANDICAP (1400m)

Tim Martin (trainer): King Darci: “There’s no reason why he can’t win (today) and there isn’t a horse in the stable looking better than him at the moment. His is thriving.’’

Glenn Munsie (TAB): “Two standout chances in King Darci and Hogmanay, both with consistent form in this grade. Coming back from 1500m runs at last couple, will be on pace/handy and stronger at finish than other favourites in Sonic Swish and Dark Steel who are stepping to 1400m and come out of a messy race behind Louie Sea Kay. Watch on Tower Of Song resuming.’’

Grant Palmer (bookie): “Hard to go past the two favourites, Hogmanay and King Darci, who are both flying at present and are drawn to get run of the race. Star Wars to go in all exotics, peaks here off a luckless last start.’’

Blake Johnston (bookie): “Sonic Swish simply has had no luck of late. He is going well and with better luck today he will go very close.’’

Terry Kennedy (Sky Sports Radio): “King Darci is a winner at track and distance, ultra-consistent and should get a perfect run from a good gate. Star Wars is working up to a win after two good runs.’’

Verdict: KING DARCI

Originally published as Inside mail: All the big bets, work whispers, trial pointers and quaddies for Warwick Farm