Neil Evans
Track Good 4 and rail True.
RACE 1
3. Aussie Nation is a tough and still lightly raced six-year-old banging on the door for a second win fourth-up. Has beaten all bar the winner running home in a country BM 74 and then against similar provincial opposition to this, and shapes as the best placed and weighted runner after the jockey’s claim. 4. Grandini is an improving mare, and a shade over the odds after sweeping home from well back to win a weaker country grade. 2. Ngunnawal steps up from a dominant fourth-up win also in a weaker country class. 1. Monty Be Quick has been mixing his form since leading all the way at Hawkesbury three runs back, but drops a little in class here. Gap to the rest.
How to play it: Aussie Nation to win
RACE 2
7. Lupa Capitolina is an improving metropolitan-based filly ideally placed to break through second-up, especially with the early short-priced favourite being preferred at Wednesday’s Warwick Farm meeting. Mixed her runs last spring in an initial campaign against tougher provincial opposition before spelling, then caught the eye charging home first-up at Hawkesbury after being backed from $3.40 into $2.35. Even better suited out to the mile, and she’s the clear one to beat. 4. Col Du Tourmalet is a three-year-old by Redwood on debut behind consecutive 1200m trial wins at Warwick Farm. 6. Gold Cup, resuming for only her third start off two soft trials, and 1. Master Of War improving into his fifth start, can both fight for minor money.
How to play it: Lupa Capitolina to win
RACE 3
11. Shalash is a filly by Xtravagant and trained on the course, making her debut off a handy Newcastle trial where she showed smart cruising speed under a hold sitting outside the winner. Drawn to get a lovely run on speed, and a leading jockey takes the ride. 5. Chataigne ran above his longer price on debut at Warwick Farm, and the winner of that maiden has since thrashed a Group 3 field at Flemington. 4. Bold Bucks is an improving metropolitan colt who ran home fairly on debut behind a dominant and smart country maiden winner. 2. Ponzi Scheme makes his debut from the inside draw behind two forward provincial trials.
How to play it: Shalash to win
RACE 4
3. Compensation is an emerging three-year-old by prolific sprint sire Written Tycoon who rates on top heading into his second start. Admittedly let punters down on debut at Warwick Farm when failing to handle the going as a hot favourite, but back to provincial level on firmer ground is the key to breaking through. 4. Maidoff draws the fence also dropping back to provincial level, and has been kept tricking over with a trial win. Big gap to the rest headed by 10. Mirrors, a first starter by I Am Invincible in the Ciaron Maher yard.
How to play it: Compensation to win
RACE 5
6. Beverly Hills is an improving filly who represents terrific second-up value five weeks between runs for a leading metropolitan trainer/jockey combination. Failed to hit the line when resuming in a smarter BM 64 at Canterbury, but crucial gear changes have been made, and this is a thin lineup. 3. Manaajem is similarly well-placed from a soft draw reloading off a seven week freshen. Held her ground okay in a deeper mares race at Canterbury, and has trialled well enough since. Was scratched from Warwick Farm on Wednesday to be saved for this. 1. Malaku ran home best to claim a handy maiden on debut at Wyong, but up 5.5kg in weight for a decent rise in grade, is under the odds. 2. Up To Mischief can run a race fresh at good odds off two improving trials, while 4. Winner Of Kowloon can also run into the minor money third-up.
How to play it: Beverly Hills to win
RACE 6
6. Just Response is a talented three-year-old resuming for a smart provincial stable behind two winning trials. Narrowly beaten twice last spring either side of a dominant maiden win at this track, and he’s drawn to get the right trail just off the speed. 10. Borjnord is a progressive sprinter, and the clear threat from a low draw coming off a second start win at Albury. 9. Pimlico also returns for a second full prep off two solid trials, but has a task from the outside barrier. 4. Silencio Porfavor is very honest, and a knockout chance fourth-up despite drawing wide.
How to play it: Just Response to win
RACE 7
3. Zing To Me is a progressive metropolitan mare, and well placed shooting for a third consecutive win. Swept home to win a similar race third-up at Newcastle beating a smart one, while the third-placed runner was then very stiff not to claim a Saturday provincial race next start. 7. Honey Perfume is a consistent mare who has only been out of the money once from 13 starts, despite having just one success. Was stiff not to win charging home in a CL2 at Scone, and if she gets any cover here from the wide draw, will again be hitting the line. 8. Fine Wine steps up from a CL1 win at Kembla when resuming. 2. Cool Storm is over the odds third-up with a 3kg claim and drawn inside, while at longer odds 4. Gold Lover and 10. Perle De Chocolat, head the rest.
How to play it: Zing To Me to win
BEST BETS: R1 3. AUSSIE NATIONR
2 7. LUCA CAPITOLINA
BEST VALUE: R7 3. ZING TO ME
Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au
