Warwick Farm and Sandown Lakeside are front and centre this Wednesday. With August in full swing and spring features fast approaching, find out who our experts expect to take home the chocolates!
Warwick Farm Race 5
#8 Yorkshire
Yorkshire looks the best bet on a competitive and tricky program of racing. The Snitzel gelding has made an impressive start to his career, and he looks perfectly placed in this company. The talented four-year-old will thrive on the quick back-up and is drawn to perfection in barrier five. This is his acid test!
Rock Empire is over the odds. The four-year-old Deep Field entire is resuming after a long layoff, and I suspect he has been set for some lofty races during the upcoming spring. His best form reads incredibly well for this event, and he has been specked at a price since markets opened. I’d prefer to invest and promote the big boy deeper into his preparation over further.
Vivy Air was good first-up without winning. The Hellbent mare closed in strongly from the tail, and she put the writing on the wall for a fruitful campaign. The Chirs Waller and James McDonald factor must be respected, and the step out in trip is ideal. With even luck in transit, I expect her to figure in the finish.
Suggested Bet: Yorkshire @ $2.50
Warwick Farm RACE 7
#7 Influential
Influential is poised to strike! The Autumn Sun gelding for this event has been trained to the minute, and the current track conditions will suit. I expect the unpredictable four-year-old to peak third-up from a spell on Wednesday, and he looks dangerous jumping from a perfect inside barrier. He needs to bring his best manners to race day!
Flossing can run a drum at double-figure odds. The Tavistock gelding will appreciate the significant drop-in class, and the 2kg apprentice claim brings him into all winning conversations. Barrier one should give him every chance to figure, and his record at the trip is outrageous. Over the odds!
All In The Mind will have supporters after producing a consistent preparation to date. The Alhebayeb gelding deserves his shot at this level, and I suspect he will have the fitness edge on his rivals after a lengthy campaign. From barrier thirteen, he will drift back and watch the race unfold, and if he can find another gear as they run for home, he can record a well-deserved city victory.
Suggested Bet: Influential @ $4.00
Sandown Lakeside Race 4
#4 Preferential
Preferential is in a model of consistency. The Preferment mare looks too good for the Benchmark 64 level, and she has been screaming out for the 2400m since the moon landing. Her record at the trip must be respected, and I suspect her quote will shorten before the barriers open with the appointment of the inform Blake Shinn. She looks progressive, and I expect her go through her grades successfully during the upcoming spring.
Okesutora will start favourite after producing an impressive last-start victory at Ballarat. The Tosen Stardom gelding is ready for the 2400m, and I suspect he will save every inch of turf jumping from a perfect inside barrier. If Luke Currie can get the big boy off the dulex as they run for the doctor, I expect him to figure in the finish. His racing pattern and style will always require an element of good fortune.
Northern Barrage is knocking on the door. The Churchill gelding is racing well without winning, and I suspect his next victory is just around the corner. The talented five-year-old will appreciate the step out in the trip, and I suspect he can sit in the one-on-one back position jumping from a middle gate. His recent winning record is the primary concern.
Suggested Bet: Preferential @ $4.00
Sandown Lakeside Race 7
#10 Shiny New Deel
Shiny New Deel was a brilliant last-start winner at the track and trip. He meets similar opposition here, and the current track conditions will play into his favour. He was luckless at Flemington the start prior, and I suspect he is ready to explode third-up from a spell. His record at the distance can’t be ignored, and I expect him to be one of the major players here.
Hughes is edging closer to his next win. The Russian Revolution has been good all preparation without winning, and he looks incredibly well weighted with the 56kg. 1400m is in his wheelhouse, and he has been well supported since acceptances were released. He should be rock-hard fit at this stage of his preparation, and I suspect he will make his presence felt as the whips are cracking. He tends to find one or two better on race day.
Name Dropper is racing well at present. The Tavistock gelding was an impressive winner fresh, and there were genuine excuses second-up. His last start placing was brave, and he again looks great each-way value. With a clean break from the barriers, I suspect he will pilot the field, and if he can slow the clock down throughout, he can lead his rivals a merry dance. His fate may be decided during the first furlong.
Suggested Bet: Shiny New Deel @ $6.00
