Newcastle and Geelong are the main metropolitan meetings this Wednesday. With autumn coming to a close and with a cool breeze in the air, find out who our experts are expecting to take home the cash.
Newcastle Race 5
#4 Edge Of Reward
Edge Of Reward was a brilliant last-start winner at the track over 1400m. The Reward For Effort gelding looks suited to the longer trip, and I suspect he has plenty of improvement to come for the campaign. The enigmatic five-year-old will drift back from the awkward gate, and if he doesn’t get too far out of his ground during the race’s early stages, he can capitalise late. Hard to toss.
Gago is too consistent to dismiss. The Zoustar gelding never shirks the task, and he looks dangerous jumping from a perfect inside draw. The drop back to 1500m is advantageous, and I suspect he has the fitness edge on most of his rivals. His racing pattern and style will always require an element of good fortune.
Sailor will start favourite after a dominant last-start victory. The Ocean Park gelding meets a similar field here, and the 3kg apprentice claim brings him into all winning conversations. Barrier four will allow him to roll forward and dictate throughout, and if he can pinch some cheap sectionals, he will be hard to hold out. His record at the distance is the primary concern.
Suggested Bet: Edge Of Reward @ $4.00
Newcastle RACE 6
#6 Three Wise Men
Three Wise Men is ready to win. The Divine Prophet gelding has been good without threatening this campaign, and I suspect he has found his right race on Wednesday. Barrier one will ensure he runs out a strong trip, and the 2kg apprentice claim could prove a training masterstroke. The talented five-year-old has been specked at a price and looks excellent each-way value.
Trajectile is flying at present. The Pariah filly saluted with ease at her latest outing, and she has been screaming out for the longer trip since she first stepped onto a racecourse. The combination of Dylan Gibbons and Kris Lees must be respected, and I suspect she will receive the run of the race from barrier three. The class rise is the primary concern.
Awesome Tycoon will have supporters after racing consistently this preparation. The Written Tycoon gelding looks ready for the longer trip, and he deserves his shot at a decent mid-week race. The double-figure odds have been nibbled at since markets opened, and I suspect his odds will continue to shorten until the barriers open. The carpark draw is the biggest deterrent.
Suggested Bet: Three Wise Men @ $6.00
Geelong Race 4
#10 Bo Cougar
Bo Cougar is the best bet on a tough and tricky program at Geelong. The Tosen Stardom filly turned heads at her only career start, and she impressed the punters recently at the jumpouts. From the wide gate she will roll forward and pilot the field, and if she can avoid an early speed battle, the fat lady could be signing before the final furlong. She has opened up at a skinny quote, and I expect it to be justified with a victory on Wednesday.
Super Dawn strips fitter after an honest first-up performance. The Exceed And Excel filly finds a suitable distance second-up, and I expect her to camp on the leaders back from an inside draw. If she is presented with her run at the right time, I expect a significant improvement on current form.
Missy Spike is rock-hard fit. The Reliable Man mare is knocking on the door, and I suspect this is the right assignment for the progressive three-year-old. She can sit in the running line from the middle gate with cover, and if the favourite feels the pinch late, she can greet the judge before her rivals.
Suggested Bet: Bo Cougar @ $2.30
Geelong Race 7
#5 Proprietary
Proprietary is over the odds. The Territories gelding traditionally performs well fresh, and he has previously tasted success at the trip. From barrier three, the big boy will roll forward, and if he can find the front uncontested, he may prove hard to run down. He has trialled well leading into this first-up assignment, and I suspect the Jamie Mott and Greg Eurell combination will attract late market support.
Snappy Secret will be suited to the significant drop in grade. The Hinchinbrook gelding was far from disgraced at his latest outing in a hot-form race, and his form is better than it reads in the guide. From barrier one, he will occupy the box seat throughout, and if he sees daylight as they run for the judge, I expect him to make his presence felt late.
Mount Olympus is racing extremely well at present. The Invader gelding was an impressive winner fresh, and he was good without scoring second-up. The step out to 1200m looks ideal at this stage of his preparation, and I suspect he has a fruitful and successful campaign ahead of him. Jumping from a different suburb is his biggest obstacle.
Suggested Bet: Proprietary @ $10.00
