Race day focus: Best bets, inside mail for Warwick Farm

A highly-promising filly from the John O’Shea stable is coming of a smart last start win and can get the job done again. BEST BETS, INSIDE MAIL

Trainer John O’Shea saddles up exciting filly Junqueira at Warwick Farm on Thursday. Picture: Getty Images

Form analyst Mitch Cohen gives his best bets and runs the rule over every race for Warwick Farm.

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

BEST BET

Race 4, No.10: JUNQUEIRA

A talented John O’Shea-trained filly on the rise. Can back up a stellar display last start the Gold Coast with a win here.

NEXT BEST

Race 8, No.12: PONCA

Promising type dropping back from stakes assignment. Gets the rails run.

VALUE BEST

Race 2, No.11: VENELOPE

Promising filly having her second race start. Looks suited by the step up to 1400m.

QUADDIE

Race 5: 4, 7, 10

Race 6: 13, 14

Race 7: 1, 2, 4, 10, 11

Race 8: 8, 12, 13

Tyler Schiller can take out the feature Australia Day Cup at Warwick Farm on Thursday. Picture: Getty Images

JOCKEY TO FOLLOW

Apprentice Tyler Schiller is riding without a claim now but is still in top form and can win the feature Cup.

WAGGA WAGGA

BEST BET

Race 7, No.9: PROPHET’S DAUGHTER

A winner two back at this venue. She’s ready for the 1200m now.

NEXT BEST

Race 1, No.1: ROYSTON HEAD

Placed at his first two starts, he finds another winnable race.

VALUE BEST

Race 6, No.12: ZAR QUEEN

Yet to win one but not far away last time. Should be suited by the step up to a mile.

THE INSIDE MAIL FOR WARWICK FARM

RACE 1

Outlawed has been backed from $4.60 into $2.60 favouritism for her return. The John O’Shea-trained three-year-old was beaten by a length in her only start at Hawkesbury last preparation by Fashion Legend, which recently showed his class by winning the Magic Millions 3YO Guineas. If she can overcome the tricky draw, she should be in the finish. Coriolis was second at her first two starts this preparation before finishing fourth at Canterbury. She’s more than capable from a good draw. The bookies are no doubt in love with Shalatin. The Joseph Pride-trained gelding has finished runner up in six of his 10 starts.

Bet: Outlawed to win.

RACE 2

Venelope is a daughter of British champion Kingman and looks to have some talent. She was made to fan widest on the track on debut, doing her best work late to finish third. Stepping up to 1400m second up should be ideal. Gago chased hard behind Moscow Night on debut and should derive significant benefit from the experience. He looks the pick of champion trainer Chris Waller’s four acceptors in the race but all should run well. The Englishman comes out of the same race as Gago where he was okay, finishing fourth. The Snowden galloper sticks at the trip. He’s certainly got talent but the 12 draw is against him.

Bet: Venelope to win.

RACE 3

Ausbred Rising Sun puts his unbeaten record on the line but has the ability to keep it intact. The Brad Widdup-trained gelding came from last to win on debut at Newcastle over 1350m, stretching through the line nicely. Widdup has been given him a trial to keep him up to the mark for his second up assignment. Glowing Gold brought up a winning hat-trick with a win at Canterbury last start. The Sepoy filly has proven adept at the mile, winning both her starts at the trip. Gleefilly only needs to back up a superb last start effort at Wyong.

Bet: Ausbred Rising Sun to win.

Brett Prebble rides Ausbred Rising Sun for trainer Brad Widdup. Picture: Getty Images

RACE 4

Punters might struggle to get anything other than odds-on for Junqueira. The John O’Shea-trained three-year-old looks like a stakes filly in waiting and can take another step in that direction here. She was super winning at the Gold Coast last time. J-Mac sticks from a great draw - both big ticks. Gary Portelli has Walkin’talkin’ racing in terrific form. He’s got three wins and two placings in five starts this time and will be helped by Jenny Duggan’s 2kg claim. I’ve Bean Tryin’ has won four of his nine starts and must be included in wider exotics.

Bet: Junqueira to win.

RACE 5

Cadetship is an in-form galloper that is capable of running another big race. After breaking his maiden first up, the son of Merchant Navy narrowly missed on doubling the dose when second at Warwick Farm. Form has stacked up with third placegetter Rockribbed winning last Friday. Ka Bling beat Cadetship in that event has drawn in 12 as opposed to his rivals gate 7. It took a smart one to beat Mission Value last start. He boasts the same record as Cadetship this preparation and can run well again.

Bet: Cadetship to win.

RACE 6

Silvanito went out a winner with a maiden success at Hawkesbury and returns from a break with two trials under his belt. He’s been given an easy time of it with both but seemingly is going well. Will carry 7kg less than the topweight after getting in with the lightweight of 54kg. Petulant was competitive in Saturday grade last preparation without winning. Her recent trial victory was super but barrier 13 will make life tough first up from a break. A couple of strong wins in the bush should have Unwritten riding high on confidence as the Greg Hickman galloper comes to town.

Bet: Silvanito to win.

Sam Clipperton partners Godolphin gelding Silvanito. Picture: Picture: Getty Images

RACE 7

After spending more than two years out, trainer Mark Newnham has Mission Phoenix racing as well as ever. The son of Reset has won three of his past four starts including the January Cup last time. Just needs to see out the 2400m to be in the finish again. Spirit Ridge is loving life under new trainer Annabel Neasham. The former Mark Newnham galloper got his first win for the stable when winning over 2000m at Flemington last start. He loves a staying trip. Chris Waller runners should never be discounted in a Sydney staying event with Bonny Ezra his top seed.

Bet: Mission Phoenix to win.

RACE 8

Ponca drops from a Group 3 to a Benchmark 72 here. The American Pharoah filly put together a pair of wins at the provincials before finishing fourth in her stakes mission in Queensland. She is a three-year-old taking on the older horses here but the inside draw should make life easier. Arranmore was a winner at this track and trip last time. A repeat of that performance will see the Chris Waller mare fighting out the finish again. Wollombi has only missed the placings twice in eight starts and is open to improvement second up. The 11 draw could be the thorn in the side of Beirut Miss.

Bet: Ponca to win.

Originally published as Race day focus: Best bets, inside mail for Warwick Farm