Warwick Farm and Sandown are the feature meetings this Wednesday. With competitive and tricky programs listed at both venues, find out below who our experts are expecting to take home the mid-week chocolates!
Warwick Race 5
#5 Starman
Starman looks extremely well placed in this company. The Zoustar gelding has been racing well without winning in some hot form races, and I suspect he is ready to peak on Wednesday with a string of handy runs under his belt. The big boy has had significant market support in all runs this preparation, and I expect him to jump in the red if the flood of early money continues. The 1400m suits, and the current track conditions play into his favour. The one to beat!
Frontex was an impressive last winner at Newcastle. The Territories gelding put his rivals to the sword a long way from home, and I suspect he strips fitter as a result of his demolition job. The step out in trip suits, and I expect him to camp just behind the leaders, jumping from a perfect inside draw. The significant rise in class is the primary concern. Acid test!
The Replicant is a model of consistency. The Tivaci gelding savaged the line at his latest outing, and I suspect he is edging towards his next victory. The consistent seven-year-old handles all track conditions, and his versatility gives him a competitive advantage. He ticks most boxes, and he currently offers great value each way. His racing pattern and style always requires an element of good fortune.
Suggested Bet: Starman @ $2.70
Warwick Farm RACE 6
#6 Elle Hudson
Elle Hudson is racing better than it suggests in the bible. The Tarzino gelding is knocking on the door, and he finds a winnable assignment on Wednesday. The drop in trip could prove a training masterstroke, and the enigmatic five-year-old should be rock-hard fit after a lengthy and consistent campaign. The inside draw brings him into all winning conversations, and if he sees daylight as they run for the doctor, he may prove hard to hold out. He needs to put another victory on the board.
Coto De Caza is over the odds. The Contributer gelding looks dangerous on the quick back-up, and the 2kg apprentice claim puts one hoof on the till. The form around him has repeatedly stood up, and he is ideally drawn in a middle gate. With a clean break from the barriers, he can roll forward and take up a prominent position, and if he is presented with his run at the right time, I expect him to figure in the finish. Big watch.
Fleet Commander is a must for broader multiples and exotics. The Galileo gelding drops significantly in grade, and I suspect he has the fitness edge on the majority of his rivals after a solid campaign. The step out in trip plays into his favour, and if he can find the bunny uncontested during the race’s early stages, he can upset his more fancied and credentialed opponents. His recent winning record is the primary concern.
Suggested Bet: Elle Hudson @ $3.50
Sandown Hillside Race 5
#10 Sun Setting
Sun Setting savaged the line at her latest outing. The Pierata mare finds her pet distance on Wednesday, and she meets the usual suspects. The talented four-year-old draws the red rug, and she strips fitter as a result of recent racing. There has been a tsunami of money for the flighty four-year-old early doors, and I suspect she still has improvement to come for the campaign. The one to beat!
Room For Bingo can run a drum at a decent price. The Squamosa mare was a dominant last-start winner at Sale and deserves her opportunity in town. The speedy five-year-old looks the likely leader on paper, and she has been specked at a price since fields were finalised. The awkward barrier and class rise are among the primary concerns.
Lovelycut resumes after a long lay-off. The Ilovethiscity mare raced in some serious events last spring, and I suspect her best performance here could prove fences and panels too strong for her rivals. Her recent jump-outs have been first-class, and the significant market support indicates a bold and forward first-up performance. I’d prefer to support her case over further and deeper in her preparation. Take on trust.
Suggested Bet: Sun Setting @ $4.00
Sandown Hillside Race 7
#8 Emphasize
Emphasise can win here despite a poor first-up performance. His trials leading into his fresh assignment were rock-solid, and it may pay dividends to forgive and forget that the big boy went around. The Embellish gelding boasts an impressive second-up record, and the 1500m looks ideal at this stage of his campaign. I expect the double-figure quote to disappear before the barriers open, and if Michael Dee presses the go button at the right time, he will make his presence felt in the shadows.
Stay Humble is ready to win. All runs this campaign have been good without threatening, and he finds the right trip on Wednesday. The Deep Field gelding is perfectly drawn in barrier four, and the 2kg apprentice claim puts him into all winning calculations. The market support has been significant, and I suspect he will pilot the field with a clean break. He can win if he puts it all together for four quarters.
Al Duca was good without winning fresh. As a result, the Al Maher gelding strips fitter, and the step out in distance plays into his favour. The form around him puts him into the mix, and the current track conditions give him a massive leg up. He tends to find one or two better at the pointy end of a contest.
Suggested Bet: Mr Vivaci @ $11.00
