Black type racing returns to Warwick Farm on Wednesday, and the Listed Australia Day Cup headlines the eight-race program.
The rail will be left in the true position around the entire course and at publish, we’re faced with a track rated in the Soft (7) range.
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Race 1 – 1:40pm – XXXX Plate (1100m)
Solvere has improved for two starts since debuting, and he is ready to win at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.
The Rubick gelding showed potential at the trials prior to his first race start, and he mustered an eye-catching turn of foot to fill the minors at Canterbury in December.
He franked that effort with another eye-catching one at the same course for second last time out, and he is primed to go one better this week.
Race 2 – 2:15pm – Drinkwise Plate (1400m)
There is a case to be made for a few gallopers engaged in the second on Wednesday, including Stormy Legend.
He didn’t show a lot in his debut at Kembla Grange last May and was immediately put away, but I thought that there was a lot to like about his resuming effort for fourth at Canterbury earlier this month.
He’ll enjoy plenty of improvement for that effort and we can have an each-way play at around the $12 mark.
Race 3 – 2:50pm – Harry Angel First Yearlings Handicap (1600m)
Three-year-old Tuhinga looks to have plenty of ability, and he can continue his rise through the grades at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.
The Chris Waller-trained galloper has improved noticeably with each start back this, culminating in a comfortable win in maiden company at Wyong last time.
This is a rise in class, but it does look to be the next logical step, and the booking of James McDonald certainly enhances his claims.
Race 4 – 3:25pm – Vinery Handicap (1000m)
Duchess will enjoy plenty of improvement from a competitive first-up effort here at Warwick Farm, and this looks a very winnable race for her.
Duchess has been a strong and consistent performer for Richard & Michael Freedman since debuting, and she has picked off several races not dissimilar to this one.
Her trials in the lead-up to her return this time were good, and she kept all of her best work for late when fourth, beaten a length and a half a fortnight ago.
She has been good on a rain-affected track and with even luck, she’ll prove tough to beat.
Race 5 – 4:00pm – Buy Better At Inglis Classic Handicap (1400m)
Molly Nails was an eye-catching winner, albeit at a weaker grade at Moruya when resuming, and this looks a lovely metro target for her.
The Tavistock mare horse for the Canberra-based Matt Dale stable since debuting, and she has missed placing only once in seven trips to the races.
There aren’t any real stars engaged in this contest and with plenty of improvement to come, I’m confident that Molly Nails can justify her place in this field, and in the market.
Race 6 – 4:40pm – Benchmark 72 Handicap(1400m)
Overlord’s second campaign start left a little to be desired, but I’m confident that he is a serious horse in the making, and he can bounce back on Australia Day Cup Day.
By Sebring and out of the two-time Group 1 winner Red Tracer, Overlord has always hinted at ability, but he wasn’t able to break his maiden during his first couple of campaigns.
He got the monkey off his back immediately at Gosford when resuming this time, but failed to be a runner home at Rosehill a couple of weeks ago.
Fitter third-up and dropping back to the midweeks, he’s primed to strike.
Race 7 – 5:20pm – Listed Australia Day Cup (2400m)
A bit of black type on a Wednesday never goes astray, and this year’s Australia Day Cup has drawn a talented field of stayers.
Navy Cross returned an impressive on-pace performance to lead all the way in the Magic Millions Stayers race, and I’m confident that he can repeat those heroics on Australia Day.
The Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott-trained stayer has been a mainstay in races like this one throughout his career, and he has improved for each of his three starts back this time, culminating in the most lucrative win of his career to date last time.
Timmy Clark is as good a front-running rider as you’ll see, he can take this bloke straight to the lead again from barrier 5 this week, and he’ll give them something to chase.
Race 8 – 6:00pm – Stud And Stable Staff Awards Handicap (1200m)
Able Willie will resume in the last at Warwick Farm on Australia Day Cup Day, and I am confident that he can return a winner.
The Chris Waller-trained gelding made just two appearances during his debut preparation, but he stamped himself as one to follow with an easy win first-up, and he returned to the paddock after filling the minors behind Mazu and Battleton at Listed level.
He’s had the benefit of a couple of trials leading up to his return, and I love the booking of Nash Rawiller.