The Last Say on Warwick Farm and Bendigo with Ray Thomas

ALL the late mail and best bets ahead of a huge day's racing at Warwick Farm and Bendigo.

ALL the late mail and best bets ahead of a huge day's racing at Warwick Farm and Bendigo.

WARWICK FARM

Weather: Warm, partly cloudy day with a forecast top temperature of 31 degrees.
Track: Good (3)
Rail: 2m Out

BE WARY

The rail at Warwick Farm has been shifted out 2m with the track hosting its second Group 1 meeting in successive Saturdays. Jockeys tended to steer clear of the inside section of the home straight last week and I expect this will be the case again today. Bendigo's track is in perfect condition and should race well, although with showers forecast through the day it could have an impact on how the track performs.

THE BEST BET

Choice Words (race 5) struggled to find her best form last preparation but was given an eight week let-up and resumed with an eye-catching effort when third to Steps In Time and Red Tracer in the Breeders Classic. The form from that race has been sensational with Steps In Time winning the Wiggle Stakes and Red Tracer taking out the Millie Fox Stakes at their next starts. Choice Words has been kept fresh for today's race, has drawn ideally in barrier four and is on the limit of 54kg. Her main rival today, Lady's Angel, has topweight of 59kg and actually meets Choice Words 3kg worse for finishing behind her in the Breeders Classic. With even luck in running, Choice Words looks very hard to beat.

THE NEXT BEST

Rebel Dane (race 6) won his first four starts, including the Royal Sovereign Stakes, then ran a blinder in the Hobartville Stakes to beat all but champion colt Pierro. Rebel Dane missed the start and had to be ridden along to settle midfield before making a late surge and running Pierro to a short head. If Pierro was in today's race, he would be a long odds-on favourite so Rebel Dane gets his chance to win a Group 1 race. The step up to 1600m is perfect and, provided he jumps cleanly, he could position in the first half of the field. Very determined, talented colt and a clear top selection in the Randwick Guineas.

VALUE BET

Shamardani (race 8) is racing in career best form. She won over the Warwick Farm 1600m two starts back, beating Myamira, then last start she closed late for second to Havana Rey over the same course and distance. Awkwardly drawn in barrier 13 but she tends to get back in her races and with good speed on up front, she has the opportunity to finish over the top of her rivals. Underrated mare on the limit weight and represents good value around $8.

THE BIG MONEY

There is real confidence about Snitzerland (race 7) making a winning return in the Challenge Stakes. She has been well backed on TAB Fixed Odds, firming from $7 to $5.50 after bets of $3000 at $6 and $1000 at $5.50. In race 1, Marden is $4.20 to $3.60 after bets of $1500 at $4.20 and $2000 at $3.80, while Permit is $4.60 to $4.20 after bets of $500 at $4.60 and $2000 at $4.40. In race 2, Dothraki is $5 to $4.60 after bets of $500 and $400 at $5, and $800 at $4.60, while Mahican is $8 to $7.50 after at bet of $1700 at $8. In race 3, Lampedusa is $11 to $8 after bets of $500 at $11, $400 at $10 and $800 at $9. Assail (race 4) is resuming but there is good money for the filly, who has firmed from $2.80 of $2.30 after bets of $1,000 at $2.80 [twice], $2,000 and $1000 at $2.70 and $3000 at $2.60. Choice Words (race 5) is all the rage firming from $3.60 to $3.50 after bets of $2000 at $3.60 and $1500 at $3.50, Lady's Angel is $6 to $4.80 after bets of $1500 at $6 and$1000 at $5.50, and Cathay Lady is $11 to $8.50 after bets of $600 at $11 and $300 at $8.50. Rebel Dane (race 6) continues to firm and is $3 to $2.90 with plenty of bets of $1000 or less, It's A Dundeel is $8 to $5.50 after bets of $1500 at $8, $500 at $7.50, $800 at $7, $1200 at $6.50 and $2000 at $6. Thy (race 8) is $11 to $6.50 with bets of $800 each way at $9.50 and $1200 at $8.

BENDIGO

Weather: Cool, partly cloudy with isolated showers and a forecast top temperature of 22 degrees.
Track: Dead (4)
Rail: True

THE BEST BET

Muhaajir (race 1) was super impressive in winning at Moonee Valley last start, leading throughout and scoring with ease from Secret Stealth. He has won two of his last three, has good tactical speed to overcome the awkard barrier, and the apprentice's 2kg claim brings him in well at the weights. This isn't an overly strong race and he should win. The bet of the day.

THE NEXT BEST

Wall Street (race 7) has run three very competitive races in much tougher company this campaign. He resumed with a close fourth to All Too Hard in the Orr Stakes, ran second in the Kilmore Cup behind Dany The Fox and should nearly have won the Blamey Stakes last week when a close third to the dead-heaters Puissance De Lune and Budriguez. Wall Street hasn't won for a long time and isnt getting any younger but is very well placed here, even with 60kg. The one to beat.

VALUE BET

Chateau Margaux (race 6) is resuming here after a successful spring campaign where she was tried as a stayer and was spelled after a very good second to Gatewood in the Geelong Cup. Her form prior to that was excellent and included successive wins at Caulfield and Cranbourne, and she ran third in the Stock Stakes. She is first-up at 1400m today but sprinted well over this distance when resuming last campaign. Talented mare and she will be suited by the spacious Bendigo track.

THE BIG MONEY

Folding Gear (race 7) has been well backed to win the Golden Mile firming from $9 to $6.50 after bets of $500 at $9, $800 at $7.50 and $500 at $7. In race 1, good money for Black Booty, who is $21 to $15 after bets of $800 at $21 and $1500 at $17. Sky Flytie (race 2) is $26 to $18 after bets of $300 each way at $26 and $200 each way at $21. In race 4, Zounite is $6 to $5.50 after a bet of $1500 at $6. Trust In A Gust is $13 to $9.50 after bets of $200 each way at $13 and $500 at $10.

INTERSTATE BEST BETS
Gold Coast race 6: Border Rebel
Gold Coast race 7: Tragedy
Oakbank race 7: Dragon Lord
Oakbank race 8: Raise A Heart

PROVINCIAL MAIL
Kembla Grange race 4: Romancing To Win
Kembla Grange race 8: Subarc

Good luck today and I hope you back plenty of winners.