Warwick Farm and Sandown Hillside are the places to be this Wednesday afternoon. With autumn officially here and with a cool breeze in the air, let’s start March with a bang!
Warwick Farm Race 5
#3 Iconic Treasure
Iconic Treasure was good without winning first-up at Canterbury. The Nicconi gelding was game in defeat, and he strips fitter after his recent outing. He finds his pet distance on Wednesday and is ideally drawn in barrier four. The big boy is undefeated second-up, and I expect his quote to shorten significantly before the barriers open. Hard to toss!
So Good So Cool will have supporters after a consistent campaign to date. The Capitalist gelding is knocking on the door, and I suspect his next victory is just around the corner. His record at the distance must be respected, and the 2kg apprentice claim puts him into all winning conversations. He needs to notch up another victory.
Desiah is over the odds. The Pariah mare is coming off a string of forgive runs, and her best performance here could be fences and panels better than her rivals. The rising six-year-old is a 1200m specialist, and her camp are training winners for fun at present. She tends to find one or two better on race day.
Suggested Bet: Iconic Treasure @ $6.00
Warwick Farm RACE 6
#3 Seven's
Seven’s caught the eyes of punters on his Australian debut. The Bated Breath gelding was heavily supported late, and he savaged the line from a different suburb. The step out in trip is advantageous, and he looks well placed in this company. The talented four-year-old is undefeated second-up, and there has been a flood of money for him since acceptances. Ready to win!
Bacio Del Mist is overdue for her next win. The Reliable Man mare doesn’t know how to run a bad race, and she narrowly missed the victory at her latest outing. The consistent seven-year-old is a rock-hard fit, and I suspect she has the fitness edge on most of her rivals. The 2kg apprentice claim could prove the winning difference, and she is perfectly drawn in barrier two. Take on trust.
Mistressofillusion can run a drum at a decent double-figure quote. The Mastercraftsman mare was good without threatening fresh, and I suspect she has plenty of improvement to come for the preparation. The step out in trip plays into her favour, and the 3kg apprentice claim could prove a training masterstroke. Even with luck in transit, she can make her presence felt at the pointy end of the contest.
Suggested Bet: Seven’s @ $4.20
Sandown Hillside Race 6
#8 Highlands
Highlands was a recent winner at the track over 1400m. The Sidestep gelding meets a similar line-up on Wednesday, and the step out to trips is ideal at this stage of his preparation. Barrier five will allow the enigmatic four-year-old to roll forward and pilot the field, and if he is allowed to dictate the tempo throughout, the race could be over before they run for the doctor. He looks excellent each-way value.
Le Mans will start as a favourite after producing a teasing first-up performance at Seymour. The Kodiac mare will benefit from her fresh outing, and I expect her to improve leaps and bounds second-up. Barrier one puts one hoof on the till, and the key appointment of the inform Blake Shinn speaks volumes. Her racing pattern and style will always require an element of good fortune.
Peel The Stickers is over the odds. Both runs this campaign have been ominous, and I suspect the Rubick gelding is ready to explode third-up from a spell. The 1500m is in his wheelhouse, and he is more than comfortable at this level. The awkward draw and his recent winning record are among the primary concerns.
Suggested Bet: Highlands @ $6.50
Sandown Hillside Race 7
#4 Mcadam
Mcadam was an impressive last-start victor at Moonee Valley. The Snitzel gelding led them a merry dance throughout, and the fat lady was singing as they reached the school. The lightly raced three-year-old looks progressive and meets a similar field here. His record at the distance strengthens his case, and he has been well supported in most all-in markets. The carpark draw is the primary concern.
Bancory Bay is poised to strike on the quick back-up. The Fastnet Rock gelding was a brilliant winner at the track and distance last week, and he looks well placed in this company. From barrier four, I suspect he will occupy the box seat throughout, and if the gaps appear as they swing for him, he will battle out the finish. Too consistent to pot.
Athanatos will start favourite after a slashing first-up performance. The I Am Immortal gelding will improve second-up, and his debut campaign is still fresh in the memory bank. The step out in trip plays into his favour, and I suspect he will appreciate the significant drop in class. The carpark draw and grandstand weight are his most significant obstacles.
Suggested Bet: Mcadam @ $5.00
