Warwick Farm and Caulfield are the feature meetings this Wednesday. With bumper fields expected at both venues, find out who our experts are tipping to take home the chocolates!
Warwick Farm Race 6
#5 Silentsar
Silentsar was a brave last-start winner at Rosehill. The Russian Revolution gelding has had a freshen-up since his recent heroics, and he looks extremely well-placed dropping back in grade. His record at the distance speaks volumes, and the middle gate should allow him to roll forward and pilot the field. Hard to toss.
Victory Lane is ready to win. Both efforts this campaign have been good without winning, and the drop back to 1200m could prove a training masterstroke. The Invader gelding has attracted late market support in both runs this preparation, and I suspect his opening quote will shorten significantly with the predicated showers. Will be thereabouts.
Ravenclaw won like Phar Lap at Rosehill. The Harry Angel gelding strips fitter after his second-up performance and stays at his pet distance. He meets a similar field, and James McDonald sticks with the inform four-year-old. He looks progressive, and I suspect the camp have some lofty goals in mind. The carpark draw is the biggest deterrent.
Suggested Bet: Silentsar @ $9.50
Warwick Farm RACE 7
#1 Tavi Time
Tavi Time was okay in a hot-form race at his latest outing. The Tavistock gelding strips fitter and I suspect he will appreciate the significant drop-in class. His record at the trip is near perfect, and he traditionally performs well at this stage of his campaign. The perfect inside draw puts one hoof on the till, and the big boy will enjoy the sting out of the track. The one to beat!
Time Quest is coming off a forgive run. The versatile Time Test gelding was caught napping at a crucial stage, and the bird had flown before he hit top gear. His form prior was solid, and I am expecting a sharp improvement on Wednesday. From barrier four he can occupy the box seat throughout, and if the gaps appear at the right time, he can make his presence felt late. Too classy to pot.
Balance Play is the intriguing runner of the meeting. The Lope De Vega gelding makes his Australian debut for the Waterhouse and Bott camp, and his English forms looks promising for this event. His recent barrier trials were ok without setting the world on fire, and Tim Clark stays aboard five-year-old chestnut. May pay dividends to follow him moving forward.
Suggested Bet: Tavi Time @ $2.30
Caulfield Race 6
#9 Verdad
Verdad is here to win. The Justify gelding has only been edged out narrowly at his latest two outings, and I suspect he is ready to explode on Wednesday over the longer trip. The talented four-year-old is better than the Benchmark 84 level, and a peak performance could blow away the opposition. Barrier two will allow the Griffiths and De Kock-trained galloper to roll forward and find the bunny, and if he is allowed to control the clock throughout, he will prove hard to run.
Regal Zeus will have supporters after producing an impressive last-start victory at Caulfield. The Zoustar gelding led the field a merry dance throughout, and his opponents were left to race for the minor end of the prize. The big boy has been freshened up since his well-deserved victory, and he looks well placed meeting similar opposition. A must for all broader multiples and exotics.
Meridius resumes after a solid autumn campaign. His last-start performance at Morphettville was rock-solid, and his best performance reads incredibly well for this event. A recent barrier trial was ominous, and if he is ready for a first-up tilt, he can figure in the finish. I would prefer to support his case deeper into his campaign over further.
Suggested Bet: Verdad @ $3.50
Caulfield Race 7
#6 Nadal
Nadal will start favourite after producing an eye-catching run fresh in a hot form race. The Xtravagant gelding is well drawn in barrier four, and he strips fitter after his first outing in almost twelve months. Four weeks in between runs is advantageous, and the 1100m suits second-up. The enigmatic four-year-old looks well-placed in this company and has been heavily supported since acceptance.
Is It Me resumes after a luckless preparation. The Iffraaj gelding still managed to perform well against some handy gallopers, and his best form puts him into all winning calculations on Wednesday. The consistent five-year-old traditionally performs well fresh, and the apprentice claim could prove the difference. His racing pattern and style will always require an element of good fortune.
Kin is too classy to dismiss. The Impending mare loves Caulfield more than Doriemus, and she looks hard to toss resuming at this level. The 2kg apprentice claim is advantageous, and her fresh record must be respected. Her overall winning record and the awkward barrier draw are among the primary concerns.
Suggested Bet: Nadal @ $3.50