3 minute read

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

6. King Of Naples had no troubles with a wet track in both trials and stretched out nicely to win the latest here just over a week ago. If he can transfer it to race day this looks a very winnable race for him to kick off in.

Dangers: 3. Chipper was excellent on debut at Canterbury two weeks ago, chasing hard when runner-up to Spacewalk on a heavy track. Wide gate not really an issue at this starting point, he'll be fitter and looms as a threat. 1. Alpha One comes through the same race where he led and stuck on okay in third. Drifter in betting there but handled the ground well so well worth including in the chances. 2. Basquiat was a $1.9 million yearling so it'll be interesting to see how he performs on debut. Based on his trials he could well be very competitive here but market a strong guide.

How to play it: King Of Naples WIN ($2.70 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

6. Naval Seal is a $1.8m son of First Seal who had support on debut at Newcastle on a heavy track earlier this month and was basically beaten by the bob of the head. Drawn to be prominent again and if he's not looking for further now he should be hard to beat.

Dangers: 9. Headliner is fitter for one run back where she was favourite but couldn't chase down Compassionate at Canterbury two weeks ago. Beaten three lengths by Fangirl at 1400m back in October, no surprise if she improves on that fresh effort and is in the finish. 8. Waterford has raced once in the UK over 1408m and finished third on a good track. No public trials since joining the Waller yard but has jumped out a few times in Melbourne. Watch betting. 10. Mystic Mermaid showed promise at her only start back in September running on for a close second at Wyong over 1200m. Is a trial winner coming into this, albeit on synthetic, and expecting her to be very strong late.

How to play it: Naval Seal WIN ($5.50 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

4. Hold On Honey should go forward from the outside and if he runs up to his debut second to Kallos would be hard to beat. Small question mark on a heavy track but he's a horse that should at least be winning a maiden this time in. Should run well with improvement.

Dangers: 11. Deep Romance had a promising first preparation and tried hard on a heavy track at Canterbury in November before a spell. Trialled here just over a week ago, drawn okay ad should be competitive. 13. Upgrades did trial quite well here back in mid-February then not as effective, though not disgraced, on the synthetic. Bred to handle a wet track and could surprise. 7. Verbek was narrowly beaten when resuming last time in and his only failure in that prep was in the Four Pillars. Consistent type and while still a maiden his best would see him around the mark.

How to play it: Hold On Honey E/W ($6.50 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

7. Forever You will appreciate getting back out in distance after an even fourth at Rosehill over 1900m. Showed staying promise with two dominant wins, latest over 2350m, prior on wet tracks so is well worth another chance.

Dangers: 6. Legend Has It was very strong at the end of 2200m here six weeks ago and backs up after a tickover trial last week. He's been placed in heavy ground so that's not an issue and while there is a gap between runs he had a four week gap going into his latest win. 3. Nordic Pride has been racing consistently enough in Victoria and he was placed at Canterbury two starts ago. Drops 5kg on his last effort at Cranbourne and is one of the chances. 9. Kingdom Of Gold is an up and coming stayer who broke through for his first win in a Class 1 on a heavy track at Newcastle recently. Obviously up in class but trip and wet are ticks and he could measure up.

How to play it: Forever You WIN ($4.20 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

8. Loch Eagle is a very promising colt who shrugged off his maiden status with a runaway win on a heavy track at Newcastle first-up. He bumped into a handy one second-up last prep and wasn't far away at G3 level before a spell. Suited here and clearly the one to stop.

Dangers: 3. Park Avenue produced his best run this prep third-up when run down late by Cavalier Charles at Canberra, and that form has turned out to be handy. Blinkers come off and drawn nicely and if he handles the ground he can be in the finish. 7. Straight Arron had good support at his only start at Sandown back in January and picked them up from near the tail to win easily. Yet to see a heavy track and his trial was on synthetic but bears close watching. 6. Publicist led all the way on a soft 7 to win here second-up back in January then a couple of months between runs when failing at Canterbury after not finding the lead. Has been a bit hit and miss so wouldn't leave him out.

How to play it: Loch Eagle WIN ($2.70 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

4. Diamil made a very handy local debut running second on a heavy track at Canterbury over 1250m and his overseas form says he's looking for this sort of trip. Appears to have conditions to suit him and drops 2.5kg for what looks a modest class rise.

Dangers: 10. Badoosh often threatens and he wasn't disgraced back onto a heavy track last time out beaten a couple of lengths in a similar race at Canterbury. Won his only start on his home track and is one of those horses who can feature with the right run. 3. Welsh Legend hasn't been placed in six first-up attempts but last prep was beaten two lengths at 1400m fresh and strikes a mile race here. She'll logically improve but consider as an each-way hope. 9. Ita was competitive up to 2000m last time in so you'd imagine she'll appreciate the step up in trip from two second placings at 1250m on end.

How to play it: Diamil WIN ($2.50 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: EVENS.

5. Sky Command is a much better horse than her last start failure behind Mazu suggests. Prior to that she was run down by Shadow Crush and on that sort of effort she'd be hard to beat. Likes it wet, should find the lead and be hard to catch. Read trainer Gary Portelli's comments here.

Dangers: 1. Dragonstone contested the same race as Sky Command and didn't make any impression from the back, which is unusual for him. Have to forgive him one bad run and isn't badly treated after the claim. 8. Sixgun finally broke through striking a heavy track at Canterbury a month ago. While he hasn't quite lived up to expectation he is very consistent and if he gets the race run to suit he's more than capable of winning again. 14. Party For One is a very promising filly who scored a huge win at Canterbury second-up on a heavy track then again caught the eye in the Gosford Guineas. Keep her very safe.

How to play it: Sky Command WIN ($4.60 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

10. Arranmore had her chance first-up behind Ruby Kisses at Canterbury a month ago but she didn't give up the chase and will be fitter for it. Has some handy form around her and is sure to be right in the finish here.

Dangers: 5. Derbari is rarely too far away and made some nice ground when resuming at Canterbury two weeks ago. Stays at 1200m but second-up record is superior to his fresh stats so he'll likely improve and that could be good enough to go close. 6. Shadow Devil won his first two starts at Gosford and both were very smart then not beaten far by Overpass down the straight at Flemington. Well worth another chance back around a bend. 17. Vivid Flash has done nothing wrong in two runs back, run down by Mayrose fresh then just couldn't reel in Shades Of Rose both at Canterbury. Definite chance again.

How to play it: Arranmore WIN ($4.00 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.