Warwick Farm and Ballarat are front and centre this Wednesday afternoon. With generous prizemoney on offer at both venues, find out below who our experts are expecting to take home the mid-week chocolates.
Warwick Farm Race 5
#1 Little Beginnings
Little Beginnings is knocking on the door. The Shamus Award gelding has finished the bridesmaid at his last three outings and finds a winnable assignment on Wednesday. The 3kg apprentice claim is advantageous, and the perfect inside draw should ensure a soft trip in transit. His record at the distance must be respected, and he handles all conditions. Hard to toss!
Poppin’ Champagne resumes after a string of impressive barrier trials. The Written Tycoon mare traditionally performs well fresh and looks poised to strike in this company. Barrier three will allow the talented four-year-old to drift back and find her hooves, and if she stays in touch with the peloton during the race’s middle stages, she will figure in the finish. Her winning record is the primary concern.
Fay’s Angels can run well at the cricket score odds. The Anacheeva mare was never far away last campaign, and she performed extremely well in several hot-form races during the spring. She has trialled well leading into this event, and the current track conditions will suit. I’d prefer to promote her deeper into her campaign over further.
Suggested Bet: Little Beginnings @ $6.00
Warwick Farm RACE 7
#1 Wondereach
Wondereach is over the odds. The Outreach gelding is chasing a hatrick of victories, and he meets similar opposition. The consistent five-year-old is a 1000m specialist, and he grows an extra leg in the wet. The 3kg apprentice claim puts one hoof on the till, and he has been well-supported since acceptance. I expect him to roll forward and pilot the field from the middle gate, and if he can control the clock throughout, he will look the winner as they run for the doctor.
Perspiration looks well placed in this company. The Too Darn Hot colt was a dominant winner of the Heritage Stakes during the spring, and the form around him has stood up time and again. The five-furlongs will suit fresh, and I suspect he will appreciate meeting easier opposition. The 61kg is the biggest deterrent.
Zealously will have plenty of supporters after producing a brilliant spring preparation. The Harry Angel gelding recently turned heads at the trials, and he is ideally drawn in barrier three. The big boy is undefeated at the distance, and his best performance here could be fences and panels better than his rivals. I am unsure he will appreciate the current track conditions.
Suggested Bet: Wondereach @ $10.00
Ballarat Race 5
#3 Blushing Tycoon
Blushing Tycoon is ready to win. The Written Tycoon gelding was game in defeat at his latest outing, and he meets similar opposition. The drop back to 1600m is advantageous, and the long Ballarat home straight suits his racing patten and style. The key appointment of Blake Shinn speaks volumes, and he has been well supported since acceptances were finalised. He is rock-hard-fit, and I expect him to make his presence felt later.
Armino was a brilliant last-start winner at Moonee Valley. The event has subsequently produced several winners, and I suspect the Fastnet Rock gelding can go on with the job on Wednesday. The mile is in his wheelhouse, and he deserves his shot at this level. I suspect the enigmatic five-year-old has the fitness edge on the majority of his rivals, and he has already built a winning relationship with the inform Damian Lane. Too consistent to pot.
Detroit City drops down significantly in class. The Toronado gelding hasn’t troubled the scorers this campaign, and I suspect he is fast approaching the crossroads of his career. Barrier ten will allow him to drift back and anchor the field, and if is presented with his run at the right time, he can play a role at the pointy end of the contest. Take on trust!
Suggested Bet: Blushing Tycoon @ $4.20
Ballarat Race 6
#6 Cordina
Cordina scorched the turf at Kilmore on debut. The I Am Invincible filly put her rivals to the sword a long way from home, and she led them a merry dance throughout. The step out in trip is ideal at this stage of her campaign, and she looks the likely leader on paper. From the awkward gate, she will roll forward and pilot the field, and if her rivals leave her to her own devices, the fat lady will be in full chorus as they turn for home. Follow moving forward.
Tsarine has upside for days. The progressive Savabeel filly was an impressive winner on debut at Mornington, and her recent jump-outs should give her key rivals nightmares leading into Wednesday’s event. The step out in trip is advantageous, and I suspect the camp have a high opinion of the talented three-year-old. She will be thereabouts with a clean break from the barriers.
Rockin’ At Midnite will have supporters after finishing last campaign with a victory at Moonee Valley. The consistent Extreme Choice filly will appreciate the drop in grade, and her record at the distance must be respected. The Chris Waller factor will attract further market support, and I expect her to go through her grades successfully during the coming months. The carpark draw is the primary concern.
Suggested Bet: Cordina @ $2.80
