Warwick Farm and Sandown Lakeside take centre stage this Wednesday. With competitive racing expected at both venues, and healthy local crowds predicated, mid-week racing has never looked so good!
Warwick Farm Race 5
#4 House Of Cards
House Of Cards caught the eyes of punters first-up from a spell. The Exceed And Excel gelding savaged the line late, and he put the writing on the wall for a fruitful and successful autumn campaign. I suspect 1400m is his best distance, and he looks poised to strike from a middle draw. Hard to toss.
Code In Time is flying at present. The Encryption gelding is chasing a hatrick of victories, and the 3kg apprentice claim brings him into all winning conversations. Barrier two should give his rivals sleepless nights leading into the event, and he has been well supported since acceptances. Over the odds!
Don Pedro will have supporters after winning at the track and distance fresh. The Pierro gelding looks well placed in this company, and the plumb inside draw puts one hoof on the till. His camp is training winners for fun at present, and with even luck in transit, I expect him to figure in the finish. Acid test!
Suggested Bet: House Of Cards @ $3.80
Warwick Farm RACE 6
#3 Flying Thinker
Flying Thinker can run a drum at a double-figure odds. The So You Think mare was a solid winner fresh, and she was game in defeat at her latest outing. She strips fitter after her recent outing, and I suspect she is about produce a peak performance for the campaign. Barrier two is advantageous, and if she sees oxygen as the run for the doctor, I expect her to figure in the finish.
Scintilla is a winner. The Hellbent filly is very progressive, and I expect her to climb through her grades successfully during the coming months. She deserves her shot at this level, and her versatility may prove the winning difference in an even field. The awkward barrier is the primary concern.
Wings Of Desire resumes with an air of expectation. Her form reads incredibly well for this event, and I suspect she will appreciate the significant drop in class. She meets easier opposition here, and her recent barrier trials were first-class. I would prefer to promote her over further and deeper into her preparation. Take on trust.
Suggested Bet: Flying Thinker @ $12.00
Sandown Race 6
#3 Sirena
Sirena represents excellent each-way value. The Pierata filly was an impressive last-start winner at the track and distance, and I suspect she can continue on her winning ways against similar opposition. Barrier three will allow the talented three-year-old to roll forward and pilot the field, and if she can catch them napping before they swing for home, she may prove hard to run down.
Diamond Firetail was good without winning fresh at Mornington. Her second-up record is respectable, and the key appointment of Craig Williams could prove a training masterstroke. The longer trip will suit, and a recent jump out between runs will have her cherry ripe for Wednesday’s event. She needs to notch up another victory.
Duty Calls broke her maiden at Werribee in fine style. The Deep Field filly was tough and gritty late, and I suspect the extra furlong here will play into her favour. The bigger Sandown track will suit her racing pattern and style, and she has been specked at a price since fields were finalised. A must for all broader multiples and exoitcs.
Suggested Bet: Sirena @ $8.00
Sandown Race 7
#3 Merrigold
Merrigold was good without winning at Moonee Valley. The Gold Standard mare hasn’t missed a top-two finish all campaign, and she looks well placed in this company. 1200m is in her wheelhouse, and I suspect she will get all the favours in the run from a perfect inside draw. If Damian Lane can get her off the dulex before they reach Corrigan’s Dip, I expect her to greet the judge before her rivals.
Pop Award will start favourite after a perfect preparation to date. Blake Shinn sticks with the talented Shamus Award mare, and she deserves her shot at this level. She will roll forward from the awkward gate with a clean break, and if she can find the bunny uncontested, she will look the winner inside the final furlong. Her fate may be decided during the early stages of the race.
Lady Dumont can run a drum at cricket score odds. Her second-up record is sound, and the enigmatic Astern mare is a 1200m specialist. Barrier one is advantageous, and the 3kg apprentice claim could prove a training masterstroke. The significant class rise and her recent winning record are among the primary concerns.
Suggested Bet: Merrigold @ $6.00
