3 minute read

Tips and race by race preview by Ray Hickson for Wednesday’s Warwick Farm meeting. Selections based on a good track.

Race 1 – 12:50PM XXXX HANDICAP (1400 METRES)

1. Sleipnir shapes as a big improver up to 1400m after being run off his feet at Wyong. He was a significant drifter in betting that day but thought he rallied quite well late over the shorter trip. Slight gear change to winkers and with the extra trip he should get his chance to travel. Go well.

Dangers: 2. Captivare has been beaten on his merits at his last couple and is a little short for a 10 start maiden but he'll be thereabouts again, particularly is he gets any control. James McDonald is back on, though he has been beaten on the horse, so he'll get another chance. 3. Superfield seemed to have his chance on debut at Kembla, racing in behind the speed, but he didn't concede a lot of ground so is a possible improver with the run under his belt and the rise in distance. 6. Alighted is racing well without winning, fought hard at Kembla last weekend and on the quick back up can figure in the placings again somewhere.

How to play it: Sleipnir WIN ($10 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

1. Verne had some traffic issues behind the leader on debut at Randwick two weeks ago behind In The Congo, with a gap to third, but that shouldn't be a problem here from a wide gate. Expecting he goes forward and unless there's a smart one among the first starters he can go one better.

Dangers: 5. Montenegro was a $1.4 million yearling buy and has had a few preparations without racing. His two recent trials suggest he has some ability. Raced handy in the first and was run down then ridden up a bit to win the latest. Must be respected. Stablemate 8. Fangirl is a nicely bred filly from the former handy mare Little Surfer Girl, she's only trialled once this time in for a close second a couple of weeks ago at Rosehill. Bears close watching. 10. Miss In Charge took on some handy types in her first prep in Queensland debuting with a Listed fourth before finishing midfield behind Swift Witness. Trialling nicely, drawn one, and is worth including.

How to play it: Verne WIN ($2.80 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS.

2. Electrica has taken a while to get to the races and is a huge watch here on debut on the back of two relatively quiet trials. Hit the line well in the first of them, the latest was behind runaway winner Malkovich. If he can take advantage of gate one he should go close.

Dangers: 1. Law Party ran an excellent race to go under narrowly on debut back in January then was a shade disappointing up in distance at Rosehill. Comes through the same trial as Electric a few weeks ago and is hard to beat. 4. Savoir Faire led all the way to a solid trial win at Hawkesbury in her second public hitout and she might take up the running in this field. Any market support would be significant. 7. Celtic Harp had some specking on debut at 1400m here three weeks ago, he led and weakened. A couple of gear changes and a subsequent trial earn him another chance especially with the stablemate scratched.

How to play it: Electric WIN ($2.80 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

5. Nikohli Beagle was explosive in three wins to start last prep, two at the 1000m, and showed he's come back nicely with a strong finishing trial at Hawkesbury recently. There looks to be good speed here and if it materialises he will have his chance to finish over the top.

Dangers: 6. Remlaps Gem was a beaten odds-on favourite first-up at Muswellbrook but was far from disgraced in a similar race here on a heavy track after leading. Thought he stuck on quite well only weakening late. Versatile type and is right in this. 7. Piping Roller has his first run for Claire Lever and was able to win the trial that Nikohli Beagle caught the eye in. Goes well fresh and she's capable of giving some cheek. 4. Hibiscus Lady is another consistent performer and she was a winner first-up last prep. Two trials have been okay without standing out and form around Lillemor and Never Talk reads well for this kind of race. Each-way.

How to play it: Nikohli Beagle WIN ($2.30 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

11. Sur La Mer is a last start maiden winner but an impressive one at that and at this time of year the transition to town isn't as steep. Ran well in a sprint home over this course at her second start before romping away at Newcastle. Drawn nicely and she'll measure up to this level at some stage.

Dangers: 6. Twice As Special can find one or two better due to her racing pattern but her run here two starts ago when she split Strawb and Turnstyle is good form for this race. Made some ground again at Rosehill last time and if they overdo it up front she'll be steaming home. 1. Café Royal was a dominant first-up winner at Newcastle but disappointed when well supported at Rosehill after leading. She's clearly better than that but hasn't quite converted her form to town as yet. Good chance to do that here on a reasonable surface and with gate one. 2. Egyptian Missile produced an amazing burst from well back to win running away at Nowra last start after a string of placings out of town. Another that has to prove it in this company but can't leave her out after that impressive win.

How to play it: Sur La Mer E/W ($6.00 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

5. Bethencourt has been excellent in two runs back from a spell and was quite unlucky at Kensington second-up when a close third in this company. Bailed up for a run all the way home and arguably wins if he gets out. Chance to prove that here from a midfield draw at close to his peak.

Dangers: 4. Media Starguest was confidently ridden to win at Canterbury two starts ago then thrown in the deep end in the Inglis Guineas at Rosehill and he hit the line hard from well back to finish just shy of Exoboom. Only has to hold form to be competitive. 14. Off Her Roca is fitter for two strong finishing placings since a spell and drops 2kg on her last start at Canterbury. May settle a little closer from gate one and is an each-way chance again. 8. Kutayha ran an even fourth behind Media Starguest first-up then had his chance in a close fourth, finishing alongside Bethencourt, at Kensington. Might just need one more but sure to be around the mark again.

How to play it: Bethencourt WIN ($2.90 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

7. Adelaide's Light had won his first two back at the provincials in strong style then just had a bit to do after going back from a wide gate at this course three weeks ago. Drawn ideally here and is well worth another chance.

Dangers: 10. Napoleon Solo doesn't win out of turn but the form around him has to stack up here. Close up to Lina's Hero two runs ago at BM88 level then beat all bar Count De Rupee at Rosehill in a BM78. If he gets the breaks he's capable of breaking through. 11. Papal Warrior is another who finds it hard to win, he's one from 17, but he was beaten in the last stride at Scone second-up and is generally not too far away. He has a nice gate and James McDonald to ride so he should get every opportunity. 6. Reinvest is a promising middle distance galloper in the making and resumes at a trip where he could be competitive fresh despite the long layoff. Fitter for two trials and is a market watch.

How to play it: Adelaide's Light WIN ($4.40 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.