We head to Warwick Farm this Thursday for a sensational afternoon of Australia Day racing. With a stranglehold on Sydney racing, can anyone stop the white-hot James Mcdonald?
Warwick Farm Race 5
#10 Cadetship
Cadetship will have good support with James Mcdonald, and Chris Waller combined. The gelding by Merchant Navy has had a little freshen-up after a narrow last-start defeat. J-Mac will have options from a middle gate, and I expect him to be in the finish with a good run. The 1400m looks his pet distance, and he seems well placed to break through in this grade.
Regal Pom can win from an inside gate. He was close to the placegetters at Rosehill last start, and he should be fitter for his two outings this preparation. If the heavens open, he could be hard to beat.
He can win if the consistent Ka Bling can overcome an awful barrier. He is too consistent to leave out of winning conversations!
Suggested Bet: Cadetship @ $3.20
Warwick Farm Race 6
#3 Never Second
Never Second always runs well fresh. Her two barrier trials leading into this have been first-class, and she will be ready to win first-up. She is better than this grade, and I expect her to be in the finish if she can overcome the awkward barrier.
Petulant resumes after a consistent campaign without winning. The lightly-raced mare by Starspangledbanner has raced well in this grade previously, and she looks well placed here. She looks one of the main chances despite being drawn off the track.
Bakuhatsu is a must for wider exotics at the juicy odds. The Spirit Of Boom gelding is now with Joseph Pride, and his two cheeky trials leading into this event will have him cherry ripe first up. Watch betting.
Suggested Bet: Never Second @ $9.00
Warwick Farm Race 7
#4 Mission Phoenix
The in-form Mission Phoenix looks hard to beat in the Australia Day Cup for the Mark Newnham camp. The 2400m looks ideal for this stage of the preparation and being deep into his campaign, he should be rock-hard fit. He will sit on top of the speed and may prove hard to run down. Tyler Schiller has a winning association with the gelding by Reset.
Last start Flemington winner Spirit Ridge will start favourite. The eight-year-old returned to the winner’s circle for the first time since May 2021, and it was his first breakthrough since joining the Annabel Neasham stable. If he is back to best, he could blow this field away!
Outlandos is racing well without winning. The backmarker will be charging home when the whips are cracking. He needs to stay in touch with the leaders in the race’s early stages to remain in winning contention.
Suggested Bet: Mission Phoenix @ $6.00
Warwick Farm Race #8
#12 Ponca
Ponca looks like a good thing in a competitive program. From barrier one, I expect Tom Sherry to have the American Pharoah filly breathing down the leader’s neck in transit. The 1400m is ideal for this stage of her preparation, and she only needs to produce her customary turn of foot to be in the finish. She is putting an impressive campaign together, and I expect her to add another victory to her resume on Thursday.
Arranmore will make her presence felt late. The back marker rounded them up late last start to record an impressive win at the track and distance. This looks no harder, and if she is patiently ridden, she can win again. The Chris Waller and James Mcdonald combination will attract late market support.
Despite the quote, Stellar Performer can run well first up. Her two trials leading into this event should prepare her for a competitive fresh run. She is too consistent to leave out of wider exotics.
Suggested Bet: Ponca @ $3.20
