3 minute read

Racing and Sports provides two horses to watch coming out of midweek racing on December 1.

Warwick Farm

Race 1: As You Were

One to keep an eye on from Wednesday's Warwick Farm meeting is the Bryce Heys-trained As You Were.

Having not been seen raceday since late July when finishing 2.4L behind a subsequent Saturday grade winner Fox Fighter in a Kembla Grange maiden, the three-year old colt returned in the opener over 1000m.

Readied for his resumption with two sound Warwick Farm trial placings, the Per Incanto colt was one of the slowest away when jumping and struggled to muster any early speed in the early going.

Settling and travelling at the tail of the field throughout, jockey Alysha Collett elected to stay toward the inside running of the track when straightening.

Weaving in between runners the colt let down sprightly passing the 200m, taking significant ground off his rivals.

In what was a savage attack of the line the three-year-old was extremely unlucky not to finish in the placings, beaten 0.9L in fifth.

As You Were's return was most encouraging and suggests that with a better jump and a touch of luck in running, he will be extremely hard to hold out next time.

Warwick Farm

Race 2: Roma Avenue

Another one that is worth following from Warwick Farm is the Mark Newnham-trained Roma Avenue.

Having been placeless in all three trials to date, the three-year old gelding was easily the worst away when stepping out on debut over 1200m.

Slow into stride, the son of Star Witness settled last on the inside rail under the riding of apprentice jockey Tom Sherry and continued to travel there throughout much of the running.

With all but one runner in front of the pair when rounding the home turn, Sherry shifted ground toward the outside fence and after making slight contact with another runner, positioned his mount the second widest when straightening.

With many lengths to make up the gelding ran on gamely down the outside, steadily eating into the margin to finish 2.5L away in third.

Although posing no threat to the top two, Roma Avenue's debut showed promising signs. 

He will no doubt take great benefit from his first hit-out and prove a handful for his challengers in proceeding runs.