Warwick Farm and Sandown Hillside are the feature mid-week meetings this Wednesday. With autumn racing starting to heat up, find out who our experts are expecting to start March with a bang!
Warwick Farm Race 5
#1 Piercing Arrow
Piercing Arrow was an impressive winner at his only career start. The I Am Invincible colt resumes here, and I suspect Gai Waterhouse will have him cherry-ripe for a first-up tilt. His recent barrier trials have been first-class, and the flood of early money suggests a forward showing. Hard to toss!
Rock Hard Love was a brilliant last-start winner at Gosford. The Pierro gelding looks talented, and I suspect the step up to city class on Wednesday won’t pose any problems. The 1300m is ideal at this stage of his preparation, and he should get the perfect cart into the race from a middle gate. This is his acid test.
Sky Artist is flying! The Trapeze Artist filly is winning for fun and is ready to take the next step in her career. From barrier nine, she will drift back and watch the race unfold, and if she can stay within striking distance throughout, she can cause a boilover. The sharp rise in class is the primary concern.
Suggested Bet: Piercing Arrow @ $3.50
Warwick Farm RACE 6
#4 Oceans One
Oceans One is ready to win! The Super One gelding is coming off a string of narrow loses, and I suspect his next win is just around the corner. The big boy savaged the line at his latest outing, and the step out to 1200m is advantageous. From barrier one, I expect him to occupy the box seat throughout, and if he is presented with his run at the right time, he can greet the judge before his rivals.
Ebony King is too consistent to pot. The Lonhro gelding boasts some impressive Victorian form, and his best effort here could prove too strong for his opposition. The drop back to 1200m could be the winning difference, and I suspect he has the fitness edge on the majority of the field. He needs to put another win on the board!
Brimstone is ready to peak. The class runner of the field has performed well without winning this spell, and he looks well-placed to meet easier opposition. The 3kg apprentice claim is luxurious, and his record at the distance must be respected. The carpark draw is the primary concern.
Suggested Bet: Oceans One @ $3.20
Sandown Race 6
#4 Gold Wolf
Gold Wolf is super honest. The Tivaci gelding doesn’t know how to run a bad race, and the 2400m looks ideal at this stage of his preparation. The Benchmark 64 opposition won’t hold any fears for the talented three-year-old, and with even luck in-transit, I expect him to figure in the finish. His racing style and pattern always requires an element of good fortune.
Two Questions is rock-hard fit. The Tavistock gelding is loving his racing at present, and he has been up longer than a Big Bash season. From barrier five he can sit in the one out one back position, and if Ethan Brown presses the go button at the right time, he can make his presence felt late. His recent winning record is the primary concern.
Aquileon has been good without threatening this campaign. The Gleneagles gelding is ready to peak third-up from a spell, and I suspect he has been set for this specific assignment. From barrier eleven, he will drift back and anchor the field, and if the peloton leaves the kettle on early, he can gobble up his rivals late.
Suggested Bet: Gold Wolf @ $6.00
Sandown Race 7
#3 Field Of Flutes
Field Of Flutes looks perfectly placed. The 3kg apprentice claim puts the Deep Field gelding into all winning conversations, and his first-up record must be respected. From barrier three, he can roll forward and pilot the field; if he left to his own devices on top of the speed, he may find it hard to run down. He looks great each-way value.
Perilous Fighter resumes after a number of impressive barrier trials. The Starspangledbanner colt is building a handy career record, and he should get the gun run in transit from a middle draw. The 59kg won’t pose any problems, and he has been smashed in early betting. He needs to take the next step on Wednesday.
Smuggler’s Bay is knocking on the door. The Squamosa gelding is always thereabouts, and he looks dangerous jumping from barrier two. The 1000m is in his wheelhouse, and I suspect this may be his last chance to break through before heading to the paddock for a holiday. His ability to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory is the biggest deterrent.
Suggested Bet: Field Of Flutes @ $8.00