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

A Matthew Smith-trained mare looks a great value chance when she heads to Warwick Farm on Wednesday. BEST BETS, INSIDE MAIL

Trainer Matthew Smith has Credit Crunch well placed to score at Warwick Farm on Wednesday. Picture: Grant Guy

Daily Telegraph 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 6 No. 13 – EAGLE NEST

The promising Shalaa filly can back up her dominant last start success at Hawkesbury when she comes to town.

NEXT BEST

Race 8 No. 6 – KOKORO

He’s found one better at his past two starts but will enjoy his day in the sun on Wednesday.

VALUE BEST

Race 4 No. 3 – CREDIT CRUNCH

The stayer made a ripping return from a break and will relish the step up in trip second up.

BEST EXOTIC

All Up – Race 6 No. 13 into Race 8 No. 6.

QUADDIE

Race 5: 5, 7, 10

Race 6: 5, 13

Race 7: 1, 3, 4, 10, 11

Race 8: 6, 8

Brenton Avdulla can figure in the money with some good rides at Warwick Farm on Wednesday. Picture: Getty Images

JOCKEY TO FOLLOW

Brenton Avdulla currently seventh in the NSW metropolitan jockeys’ premiership and can add to his tally of 33-1/2 city winners for the season.

THE INSIDE MAIL FOR WARWICK FARM

RACE 1

Genetic Freak wears the same tartan silks as former Everest winner Yes Yes Yes but this gelding looks set to find his best over longer journeys. The son of Shalaa wasn’t when leading the field up over a mile last start at Hawkesbury, only getting gunned down late by a stablemate. The Chris Waller-trained gelding can go one better this time. Waller actually has five of the eight runners Seneschal should be a sharp improver up in trip. He has trialled well since his debut sixth over an unsuitable 1300m. Whatadilemma can certainly spoil the Waller party. He has placed in two of three starts already.

Verdict: Genetic Freak to win

RACE 2

General Salute is a promising son of Russian Revolution returning for his second preparation and can win first up. In his only start, he ran on well enough to finish third behind the highly talented Red Resistance and Steel City. He won his only trial in the lead up to this and gets the golden inside draw. Snapback was a beaten $1.50 favourite on debut but that was by subsequent Group 2 winner Lazzago. The Snitzel colt produced a strong display in his most recent trial and looks set for a strong first up showing. Influential certainly adds some intrigue ahead of his debut after a few nice trials.

Verdict: General Salute to win

RACE 3

Belyaev is one of three runners from the Peter and Paul Snowden yard to line up and while they all have some chance, she looks the best of them. The Russian Revolution filly did enough on debut when second over 1000m at Hawkesbury and hit the line like a horse that will relish the step up in ground. She’s a great each-way chance. Azula is a $100,000 yearling purchase having her first start. She has trialled up well enough to suggest she can run a bold race. Her Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained stablemate Oz Empress brings race experience and the good draw.

Verdict: Belyaev each way

Sam Clipperton rides Belyaev for Peter and Paul Snowden. Picture: Getty Images

RACE 4

Credit Crunch is worth a play at nice odds in the staying affair. The Matthew Smith-trained mare made a great return from a spell when doing her best work late to finish a length and a half off the winner over the mile at this venue. She will appreciate the step up in trip, albeit a swift one from her second start back from a break. Auspicious Cloud has won two of her past three starts at the provincials and deserves her chance in town. There’s no reason why she won’t be competitive again. Union Gap will undoubtedly give a bold sight out in front again like his win last time.

Verdict: Credit Crunch to win. Boxed trifecta 2, 3, 5

RACE 5

Essonne was never really tested when running in the Provincial-Midway Championships Final last time but is drawn to get every opportunity here. In-form jockey Joao Moreira gets aboard from barrier four and should be allowed to settle in a midfield position before rocketing home late. She is a winner, saluting at half of her 10 starts. Queen Yuna also has a nomination for Saturday’s Group 3 Hawkesbury Crown but would find this far easier. She’s won her past two nicely but has the tricky draw here. Huesca should be a sharp second up improver.

Verdict: Essonne to win

RACE 6

Eagle Nest has made a consistent start to her racing career and can improve on her competitive record here. The Shalaa filly broke the maiden with a stylish four and three-quarter length victory at Hawkesbury last time. She stays at the same trip here and is drawn to get every possible again. Bunker Hut was tested in a Group 1 last spring but hasn’t been seen at the races in 179 days. A strong recent trial where he finished alongside Passive Aggressive bodes well for his return. Quilting is a fresh flyer, winning both of her previous first up runs.

Verdict: Eagle Nest to win

Nash Rawiller partners the John Thompson-trained Eye See Things. Picture: Getty Images

RACE 7

Eye See Things didn’t handle the massive bump up in class last time when only beating one runner home in a Group 2 Sapphire Stakes. She wasn’t far away her start before that in the same grade she faced on that occasion. She gets an in-form Nash Rawiller, a good gate and can bounce back here. Commandment is having her Australian debut after making the move over from Europe. She looks like a nice enough type and a forward showing shouldn’t surprise. Celestial Spirit has been competitive in stakes grade but might need the run first up in 200 days.

Verdict: Eye See Things to win

RACE 8

Kokoro has been finding one better at his past couple but should get his turn here. The John O’Shea-trained gelding ran into subsequent Group 1 Rosehill Guineas winner Lindermann last time before forced to chase for a long way behind Journalism. Fourth up now, he’s ready to win. I’ve Bean Tryin’ was savaging the line late in the Country Championships Final to grab third. He looks desperate for a mile now and gets it in the last. Drying ground will see Hokkaido’s chances increase.

Verdict: Kokoro to win