Race-by-race preview and tips for Wednesday meeting at Warwick Farm

Selections based on a soft track.

Race 1

6. Rasp appears like he’s looking for the mile and arguably should have won at Bendigo last start. He was badly held up early in the straight, had to check and come via the outside and was finishing two to their one at the end of 1400m. Handles all ground and should be competitive. 2. Indigo Star has been around the mark without winning of late and will have another chance to break through. Jumped to 1400m last time and had his chance, but all his placings have been on soft or heavy, so he’s in the mix. 1. Kikoira comes through the same race as Indigo Star, where he ran an even fifth, but gets the blinkers on first-up and a 2.5kg drop after the claim. An each-way chance at least.
How to play it: Rasp WIN

Racing heads to Warwick Farm on Wednesday.Credit: Jenny Evans

Race 2

10. Kokatahi has by far the best form around him, placing behind the likes of Central Coast, Crossbow and Tomato Toastie and really the only query is coming back in trip. However, he’s loomed up in both races as a winning chance and not quite finished it off over further. Has a good case. 6. The Stars was beaten as a $1.45 favourite at Newcastle when resuming at 1200m. Couldn’t make any excuses for that, and comes back 100m off a wide gate. She’ll likely run well, so stays under notice. 4. Rattle’n’roll switches states after placings at Moe and Geelong at his past two on soft 7 tracks. They were both at 1200m or so. Drawn well, and this is a race that’s up for grabs, so is in the mix.
How to play it: Kokatahi WIN

Race 3

9. Bella Corazon beat a subsequent winner second-up, then just failed to get past Hasty Honey, who was just beaten on Saturday, so she shapes up well for this race. Similar grade, close to peak you’d imagine after three runs back, looks like a major player. 7. Aroha Stone disappointed up to 1800m and in Saturday grade last time, but before that was a shade unlucky on a heavy Warwick Farm over the mile, where she was well-supported into favourite. Must give another chance. 4. Fairway Star is back in grade after three runs in BM78s, which included a handy second at Rosehill and boxed on well at Randwick when fourth a couple of weeks ago. Ready for the step up in trip now and is a definite threat.
How to play it: Bella Corazon WIN

Race 4

5. Tazima was only warming up at the end of the 1400m at his Australian debut two weeks ago, so he will relish the rise in distance. This looks no harder; he’s by far the most lightly raced horse in the event and doesn’t need to improve a lot to go close. 2. Kapakiri also resumed in that Kensington race, finishing fifth, and he’ll appreciate the mile also. Probably the one looking for a bit further sooner, but if the track becomes testing he comes into play. 4. Pink Shalala continues to race well but is finding one or two better quite a lot. Had his chance when runner-up at Kensington two weeks ago and will be around the mark again.
How to play it: Tazima WIN

Race 5

Top-weight 1. Naval Commission was quite unlucky not to be right in the finish at Rosehill earlier this month. He was badly held up, and his effort to be beaten under two lengths was excellent. A superior wet tracker, so any rain is in his favour, and he has a good chance to break through. 12. Elle Hudson has been put out of play in his last two starts, so it’s easy to make a case that he can improve with a clear shot. While his beaten margins have been over four lengths, they are misleading, and no surprise if he’s a big improver. 8. Hovland was sent out favourite at Canterbury on the back of an easy Hawkesbury win and probably wasn’t in the right spot to get going at a vital stage. Only beaten a length there and is one of the chances.
How to play it: Naval Commission WIN

Race 6

4. Braveheart might get a genuine tempo to suit him here, and he’d be worth another chance on a slightly disappointing second-up effort three weeks ago. Hit the line well when resuming, handles all ground and is an each-way chance. 5. Jambalaya has his first run for Richard Litt and is a big watch first-up on the back of an easy trial win recently. Was placed at Randwick last year on a heavy track in Saturday company and has a handy record. Keep safe. 1. Cassiel did some work up on the pace three wide and was left a sitting shot when run down by Bundeena at Randwick third-up. Impressive wins at the previous two starts, and while back up in the weights he can give a good account.
How to play it: Braveheart EACH-WAY

Race 7

10. Golden Straand is lightly raced and followed an easy Gosford win with a game effort up in class at Rosehill. He did have his chance, but the form around the race is okay, the third horse running second at Randwick last weekend. Draws well, seems to handle all ground and looks hard to beat. 5. African Daisy found winning form again in Midway company earlier this month, and while drawn out, it’s a straight run, and she relishes the give in the track. Should be able to roll forward into a handy spot and have her chance. 13. The Replicant is a perennial placegetter who notched his 23rd minor when third at Canterbury last week. Never runs a bad race, and while it’s hard to forecast a win, he should be around the mark.
How to play it: Golden Straand WIN

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Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au