3 minute read

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

Race 1 - 2:00PM HYLAND RACE COLOURS HANDICAP (1000 METRES)

5. Miss Piera looks a speedy filly and she did everything right in scoring an easy Hawkesbury trial win last week leading into her debut. Imagine she'll look to lead and if she does find the front should give a good account.

Dangers: 4. Husk was safely held by the winner in her only trial but did it under her own steam and she sets up well to have every chance in what's a very winnable two-year-old event. Likely trails the speed and should be hard to holdout. 1. Aboveforty was scratched from the Wyong Magic Millions and bears close watching on debut. Bumped into Traffic Warden in his first trial, and that's a good reference, before not really taking part in his latest. Keep safe. 6. Photographics had to work to win her only trial, a 740m scamper at Randwick, but may be able to get more comfortable over the 1000m.

How to play it: Miss Piera WIN ($3.20 TAB Fixed Odds).

Race 2 - 2:35PM BUY AN ARROWFIELD GRADUATE PLATE (1300 METRES)

1. Dimitrov returns as a gelding after a promising first campaign where he bumped into a couple of handy types including Ceolwulf before a break. Fitter for two trials, gets every chance from gate one and seems to handle soft ground. Go well.

Dangers: 9. Vanquished will be the one to run down, he's now had two runs back for placings at Kensington and Canterbury and was only cut down late last time when an odds-on favourite. Logical threat. 3. Gelatin should have won at Rosehill at his second start so he has some ability and is one to keep an eye on first-up. Trialled twice and should be hitting the line strongly. 2.Fire Tribe gets the blinkers on after seconds in both runs back. Tried hard at Newcastle last time and the winner has since won again, may need some luck but can't be left out.

How to play it: Dimitrov WIN ($3.20 TAB Fixed Odds).

Race 3 - 3:15PM JAMES SQUIRE HANDICAP (1600 METRES)

6. Lemaire has been around the mark in three runs back and might have a good chance to break through in a wide open race. Strong late second-up then raced closer and not as effective here two weeks ago. Handles all ground and is worth another chance.

Dangers: 5. Master Copy was an odds-on favourite and ran on to just miss at Newcastle last time on a soft track over the mile. Down 3.5kg for the class rise and on his previous run in this grade has to be a contender. 2. Edmond won well at his first start for Kim Waugh then boxed on okay at Canterbury up in class. Comes back a notch and drawn nicely this time. Must be considered. 7. Crystal Waters was well supported when she contested a similar race two weeks ago and hit the line to get within about half a length of Miss Checkoni. Each-way claims again.

How to play it: Lemaire WIN ($4.60 TAB Fixed Odds).

Race 4 - 3:50PM RANVET HANDICAP (1100 METRES)

2. Lavish Empire has been freshened up since a close third in a strong race at Kensington in October. Liked how he closed off his recent trial behind Time To Boogie, he handles all ground and has won at this course. Hard to see him not being in the finish somewhere.

Dangers: 1.Oxford Vision has come back in excellent form with successive wins including a last stride success at Canterbury where he had to weave through and dive late. Good in soft ground, drawn okay and claim helps offset the weight. Has to run well. 7. Global Empire is lightly raced and ran well when resuming at 1000m here, stoking up late. May be able to be closer with the run under his belt and is one of the chances. 4. Sovereign Fund was a shade disappointing in two runs in September but trialled quite strongly last week in preparation for this. Has been hit and miss and probably wouldn't want it heavy but his best is good enough to be competitive.

How to play it: Lavish Empire WIN ($4.80 TAB Fixed Odds).

Race 5 - 4:25PM TAB HANDICAP (2200 METRES)

4. California Grass ​​​​​​ should be near her top now after three runs back and she did close off quite well in a Midway at Rosehill last time out when well in the market. Just needs the breaks from that wide gate but expect she'll be in the second half of the field and running on. Good chance.

Dangers: 10. Harold The Great has been thereabouts in a couple of slightly stronger staying events since switching to Sydney. Held up a little here last time but wouldn't have won, drops in class and this would be his best shot at a win recently. 6. Loving Cilla is racing consistently and she tried hard behind Father's Day over 2400m here a month ago. Wouldn't want a heavy track but otherwise has to be included. 3. Yarrawonga led and folded up when resuming at 2000m at Hawkesbury but will be much fitter here. Likely leader who is a good chance if he can find the form from earlier this year in slightly stronger grade.

How to play it: California Grass WIN ($5.00 TAB Fixed Odds).

Race 6 - 5:05PM BIVOUAC FIRST YEARLINGS HANDICAP (1100 METRES)

9. Shaken is a promising filly who scored a dominant maiden win first-up last prep on soft ground then pulled way too hard at Randwick in a handy 2yo race in July. Looked very good in two trials leading into her return and she does have more upside than most here. Take beating.

Dangers: 2. Euros has been close up in both starts this time in and wouldn't need to improve a whole lot to be competitive. Was competitive in some handy form races last prep and in the small field is worth respect. 5. Impactfull Miss warmed up nicely late when running into third over 1000m here two weeks ago. All her form is fresh so far so that's a little query but if she can lift off that effort she's in the mix. 6. Cholante looked to be in for a good prep with an eye-catching second when resuming but hasn't quite run up to that in two subsequent starts. Capable of bouncing back.

How to play it: Shaken WIN ($2.20 TAB Fixed Odds).

Race 7 - 5:45PM EXCEEDANCE'S FIRST YEARLINGS HANDICAP (1300 METRES)

5. Tumbling couldn't have been more impressive in scoring first-up at Canterbury a month ago and he can only be better for it. Started well in the market in a Group 3 prior to a spell and wasn't disgraced so has a bit of quality about him. Looks hard to beat.

Dangers: 8. Vinnie's Spirit is back from a break after a luckless second at Kensington two months ago where he blew the start and worked overtime to lead before finding one better late. Fitter for a recent trial, gets in well with the claim and if he does everything right can feature. 11. Tannenburg is another up and comer who arrived in time to run Vanquished down in a Canterbury maiden last month. Naturally has to take the next step up no reason he couldn't. 3. Master Showman is always competitive in this sort of race and just found one better when a close second to Karedada second-up. Can't be left out of the discussion.

How to play it: Tumbling WIN ($3.80 TAB Fixed Odds).