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

A promising James Cummings-trained mare can kick off her second preparation on a winning note at Warwick Farm. BEST BETS, INSIDE MAIL

Godolphin trainer James Cummings has Vientiane placed to resume with a win at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.

Daily Telegraph form analyst Matt Jones 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 6, No.6: VIENTIANE

She gets in nicely here at the weights and with a good gate. Her lead up barrier trial suggests she’s in for a good preparation.

NEXT BEST

Race 4, No.3: HIGHLAND ROCKER

He looked home last start only to get run down late by one better. The third horse was more than four lengths back.

VALUE BET

Race 5, No.12: OAKFIELD TRIUMPH

He ran a very good fifth when fresh over 1000m and the extra ground now suits. He will be over the odds in this race after looking good on the line two weeks ago. A bigger track should also suit.

QUADDIE

Race 4: 3, 8, 9, 11

Race 5: 1, 2, 5, 12

Race 6: 3, 5, 6

Race 7: 1, 7, 9, 15

With a solid book of rides, Tommy Berry is in for a good day at Warwick Farm. Picture: Getty Images

JOCKEY TO WATCH

Tommy Berry’s judgment on Vindication will be key while he’ll fancy his chances on the likes of Preferral, Czar and Bak Da Man.

TRAINER TO WATCH

Matthew Smith has a fair team racing on their home track with Chain Of Gold, Surfers Royale and Cool Lad looking like top hopes.

THE INSIDE MAIL FOR WARWICK FARM

RACE 1

This looks an open race. Chain Of Gold has the fitness edge on most of his rivals and only just got run down late third-up. The winkers stay on and he can push forward from the wide draw. Crafty Eagle was put away after a debut third on a heavy track. He is first-up with a nose roll on and gets all the favours from the barrier with weight relief. Silent Raindrops should be much better suited to 1300m after debuting over 1100m when not keeping up with them after a slow start. She will get more time to get into her rhythm this start. They did their best to hide Preferral in his latest barrier trial but he looked very comfortable and the placement of him in town on debut says a lot.

Bet: Preferral to win

RACE 2

Saturn Star did what many Waterhouse/Bott horses do and led on debut then kicked again in the straight to win. He’s since trialled nicely in front of star horse Lost And Running so he’s the deserved favourite in this race but is going from 1200m to 1600m. Kovalica ticked the mile box at Wyong last start with a strong win from off the speed and it will be the same plan again. Does he nab Saturn Star late? Awesome Rock again flew home from off the speed at this trip last start and will claim a win if things pan out right for him regarding the speed of races. Surfers Royale beat a horse last start that’s since come out and won in town. He helps inject speed into the race. I think the outsider, Sweet Mercy, might even be able to win this and is worth a play at odds.

Bet: Sweet Mercy to win

Great Barrier Reef will appreciate a drop back in grade at Warwick Farm. Picture: Grant Guy

RACE 3

Iowna Merc got flushed out wide at Kembla Grange last start but it didn’t matter as he powered to the line for a dominant win. Shadow Vampire beat Iowna Merc two starts back then came out and was even better last start so they look evenly matched again. Great Barrier Reef drops back from a Group 1 where he was outclassed. Ginger’s Gal will inject plenty of speed into this race and should be looking the winner at some point in the straight. Hard To Say will use barrier one to his advantage and the booking of Tim Clark is key.

Bet: Great Barrier Reef to win

RACE 4

Bak Da Man doesn’t win out of turn but is racing well and should get every chance with Tommy Berry on from barrier four which ensures a cushy run over the staying trip. Highland Rocker looked the winner at this trip four weeks ago but got outstayed by one late. The third horse was many lengths behind him though. Leather Jacket Lew comes to town at the right time after a dominating win over 2500m in a lesser race. Awesome Wonder gets in well at the weights and although she’s not been up to the distance, she’s bred to run it right out.

Bet: Highland Rocker to win

RACE 5

Vindication is knocking on the door for a win after two close seconds this prep. The two horses that beat him came out and ran ripper races at The Gong meeting last Saturday. Fielding hasn’t had a barrier trial but runs well fresh and has missed just one top three finish in eight career runs. Oakfield Triumph was doing his best work late over 1000m fresh so the extra ground helps now and he looks to be a little overs here as a horse on the way up. Respect the placement of Lord Paramount.

Bet: Oakfield Triumph each way

Apprentice Zac Lloyd rides Vientiane for James Cummings. Picture: Getty Images

RACE 6

Vientiane returns from a spell and she looked very good in a lead up barrier trial when looking like she could explode if asked to. Glacier Queen is well placed in this grade after running behind Shades Of Rose last start in July and she looks very ready to run well fresh. Tidal Impact loves the trip and Tim Clark sticks with her from an inside barrier so he can put her either in the lead or box seating. Elettrica is on her Australian debut after showing plenty on New Zealand. Joe Pride wouldn’t be starting her in town if he wasn’t very happy with her.

Bet: Vientiane to win

RACE 7

Jamesonheart got nabbed late at Hawkesbury and is going good enough to win this race. He has drawn the carpark so luck is needed but he’s got the leading rider on to help. West Of Africa has been in some high class races to date so he will find this easier first-up off a nice trial and barrier six looks perfect. Ottilie will be better for the first-up run when she got tired late. The blinkers have been put on Cool Lad for the first time which might give him that little extra to convert his good runs into a win.

Bet: West Of Africa to win

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