Warwick Farm and Sandown Hillside are the feature meetings this Wednesday. With competitive programs at both venues, and plenty of value on offer, find out below who our experts expect to take home the mid-week cash!
Warwick Farm Race 5
#11 Jellicious
Jellicious was a brilliant first-up winner at Hawkesbury for her new camp. The Snitzel mare will appreciate the longer trip, and I suspect she strips fitter as a result of her fresh heroics. The Chris Waller and James McDonald combination must be respected, and the form around her reads extremely well for this event. The awkward gate is her biggest obstacle.
The Stars will have plenty of supporters after producing a consistent campaign to date. The Zoustar mare was an impressive winner three starts back, and her form since has been rock-solid. The talented four-year-old should hold a fitness edge on her key rivals, and the inside draw could prove decisive. She tends to find one or two better at the pointy end of a contest.
Heesen has turned heads during the early stages of her career. The Astern mare finished her debut campaign with back-to-back victories, and she deserves her shot in town on Wednesday. Her two trials leading into this event were ominous, and I suspect her quote will continue to shorten before the barriers open. The class rise is the primary concern.
Suggested Bet: Jellicious @ $2.80
Warwick Farm RACE 6
#2 Island Dream
Island Dream was a strong winner at the track and distance at her latest outing. She is flying at present, and the Divine Prophet mare meets the usual suspects. The 2.5kg weight increase is the obvious challenge; however, she has plenty of improvement to come for the current campaign. She has been well supported since acceptances, and I suspect the camp have some lofty spring goals mapped out for the progressive four-year-old. The one to beat.
Tavros was an impressive second-up winner at Moree. The Bull Point gelding savaged the line from a different suburb, and he finds his pet distance here. The enigmatic five-year-old is ready for his shot in town, and his opening quote has been well supported. The significant class rise, and his racing pattern and style, are among the primary concerns.
Soul Choice is overdue for a victory. The Redoute’s Choice mare is always thereabouts, and she will get her chance to break through at this level on Wednesday. She has been freshened up since her latest outing, and the 1600m is in her wheelhouse. If she can find the bunny uncontested during the race’s early stages, she may prove hard to run down. The time spent out of the winners’ circle is the biggest deterrent.
Suggested Bet: Island Dream @ $4.00
Sandown Hillside Race 6
#10 Blue Hawaiian
Blue Hawaiian is a model of consistency. The Blue Point mare doesn’t know how to run a bad race, and the form around her has repeatedly stood up. The Peter Moody-trained four-year-old should be rock-hard fit after a lengthy preparation, and I expect her to pilot the field with an even break from the barriers. The step out in trip is advantageous, and if she can control the clock throughout, she will look the winner inside the final furlong. Acid test.
Sky Sista resumes after a short break and a stable change. The Overshare mare showed plenty of promise during the early stages in her career, and she looks well placed for a first-up tilt. Barrier five should ensure a soft trip in transit, and the services of Blake Shinn should attract further market support. I expect her to figure in the finish with even luck in transit.
Tournelle is knocking on the door. The Sea The Moon mare hasn’t missed a top-three finish since the moon landing, and she finds a very winnable race here. She looks well-suited in this company, and I suspect she will have the last shot at her rivals if she is presented with her finishing sprint at the right time. Her recent winning record is the primary concern.
Suggested Bet: Blue Hawaiian @ $5.00
Sandown Hillside Race 7
#10 Observer
Observer makes his debut for the Ciaron Maher camp. The Ghaiyyath colt was an impressive winner at the track during his first campaign, and he was far from disgraced at Flemington in a hot form race at his latest outing. His jumpouts leading into his fresh assignment have been first-class, and there has been a flood of money for the big boy early doors. The 1300m is ideal first-up, and the key appointment of Mark Zahra should raise eyebrows. Big watch!
Duke Atreides can bounce back after producing a disappointing performance at Caulfield. The Written Tycoon colt looks more suited in this company, and I suspect he has the fitness edge on the majority of his rivals. The longer trip suits, and the current track conditions gives him a competitive advantage. His racing pattern and style will always require an element of good fortune.
Thebelmontgangster makes his Australian debut for the Freedman camp. The Inns Of Court gelding boasts rock-solid form from Ireland, and his best performance here could prove too strong for his rivals. The market support indicates a forward and bold showing, and the inside draw will give him every chance to figure. I’d prefer to support his case over further and deeper into his preparation.
Suggested Bet: Observer @ $3.10
