Race-by-race preview and tips for Monday meeting at Warwick Farm
By Neil Evans
Track Good 4 and rail True
RACE 1
8. Shalaa Gold is well-placed fourth-up from an inside draw in a three-year-old boys’ affair. Comes back from a deeper maiden on the Gold Coast run in heavy ground, and also well in at the weights carrying 1kg less. 9. Volatile resumed in that same maiden as the top selection running home fairly after being backed from $5 into $4.60, and can improve sharply. Gap to the rest headed by 3. Everybody Rise who gets the leading jockey aboard third-up.
Racing returns to Warwick Farm on Monday for an eight-race card.Credit: Getty
How to play it: Shalaa Gold to win
RACE 2
Now for the girls’ edition, and in a much tougher and wider battle, Capitalist filly 3. Handkerchief can wipe her opposition away on debut for the Chris Waller stable. Opens her career behind two progressive trials, winning the latest by more than four lengths. Starts in blinkers, and is drawn to get to the outside. Watch the betting on provincial-based Capitalist filly 1. Bremmel who bolted in a recent trial. So too 7. Mia Ballerina, a well-bred stablemate of the top selection that is resuming for only her second start. Big watch on 13. Twinkling Star who resumes for only her second start off a nice trial win in good time. 6. Leroja returns nearly a year after a solid enough metro debut; and 8. Miss Judas has residual fitness on her side, but needs to improve stepping up from country opposition.
How to play it: Handkerchief to win
RACE 3
Another very open race shapes best for well-bred 1. Automne Tree who hit the line late on debut at Canterbury where he was hard in the market. The 10-day back-up is a strong stable pointer, with the top rider taking over, but keep in mind he was one of eight Chris Waller-trained runners accepted in a final field of 16. 8. Stardeel peaks third-up back on his home track. 7. Railway Man can also improve third-up over a furlong further. 4. Cold Brew has beaten all bar the winner in three runs to start his career, although more depth here and drawn off the track. 2. Bernen Win is third-up at bigger odds with blinkers back on, and heads the rest.
How to play it: Automne Tree to win
RACE 4
1. Darling Downs finds the right race third-up back in fillies and mares’ company, and comes back a furlong in distance four weeks between runs, with the stablemate coming out. Hit the line impressively in stronger grade last time, and also gets James McDonald taking over in the saddle. Was scratched from Saturday’s Randwick meeting to be saved for this. 7. Rybakina is fit and better suited, dropping back to this trip well into the prep. 3. Tartana is a provincial mare who finished off okay when resuming, and while this is tougher, gets significant weight relief; while lightly raced 6. Luxe Eternal heads the rest.
How to play it: Darling Downs to win
RACE 5
The boys’ edition stacks up well for 5. Cosmic Lad who reloads for a top local stable six weeks between runs, back a furlong in trip, and with blinkers removed. Hit the line late when beaten under a length at Randwick, and kept ticking over with an easy recent trial. 2. Code In Time draws inside 23 days after finishing best to win a provincial BM 64 fourth-up. 1. Little Beginnings is well-placed at this level deep into his first full prep. 3. The Replicant is a hard-fit stablemate of the top selection and can run into minor money.
How to play it: Cosmic Lad to win
RACE 6
7. Puntin is a promising three-year-old who has opened his career with back-to-back and dominant country wins. Has oodles of tactical speed, although does rise 2kg in weight for his first crack at metro opposition, but this is a moderate lineup. 5. Tiger Town has done his best work late in three runs back; while 8. Rickythesteamboat, 10. Lough Eske and 12. Djapana can all add value into trifecta and first fours.
How to play it: Puntin to win
RACE 7
9. Tajanis is still a lightly raced and progressive five-year-old beautifully placed here at the weights, despite stepping up to Listed level. Destroyed BM 78 Saturday opposition just nine days ago careering away in soft ground after a top-class tactical ride from McDonald when circling well before the turn. That was his first outing in a month, and was drawn to get cover. The one to beat. Ironically, McDonald goes on top weight and stablemate Saltcoats who could only run a place in the Listed January Cup on that same day as favourite and shoots up sharply in weight. 6. Bullets High is hard fit and honest, reloading after a fighting BM 88 win at Wyong. Victorian raider 3. Taramansour climbs in grade after finishing hard to win a BM 78 at Flemington. Gap to the rest.
How to play it: Tajanis to win
RACE 8
8. Winning Proposal is a smart provincial-based filly well-placed to strike fresh at good odds behind a tidy trial win. Has a solid first-up record, and good enough to be beaten under two lengths in Group 2 carnival company last spring. Big watch on 4. Wallenda who resumes for a leading home stable off a quiet trial after tackling Listed company in Victoria last winter. 5. Wondereach peaks third-up staying over the short trip. 9. Massira comes off a tough first-up provincial win; and 16. Weeping Woman is a talented mare resuming off two progressive trials if she gets a run.
How to play it: Winning Proposal to win
BEST BETS
R4 1. DARLING DOWNS
R7 9. TAJANIS
BEST VALUE
R8 8. WINNING PROPOSAL
Supplied by Racing NSW
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