Seven races will be contested at Warwick Farm on Wednesday, February 9th.
There has been plenty of inclement weather around Sydney’s west this week and at publish, the track is rated in the Heavy (9) range, while the rail will be set out three metres around the entire course.
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Race 1 – 2:20pm – XXXX Plate (1300m)
There isn’t a lot of form to study ahead of this contest, but I thought that Robusto’s first two career starts were promising, and he can break his maiden at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.
The Churchill colt finished fourth, beaten just over two lengths in the Maribyrnong Trial Stakes on debut, and he returned from a break to fill the minors at Canterbury in late January.
He harbours plenty of upside and can strike this week under James McDonald.
Race 2 – 2:55pm – Vale Warren Woodcock (1200m)
Baranof exceeded my expectations in a similar midweek metro race when resuming, and any improvement on that effort would see him into the finish again on Wednesday.
The John Thompson-trained gelding has shown ability without breaking his maiden in nine previous trips to the races, but he did keep all of his best work for late when second behind Mars Mission on Australia Day.
He is drawn to receive a lovely run and we can have something on each-way at around the $8 mark.
Race 3 – 3:30pm – First Justify Yearlings Handicap (1400m)
Benaud was excellent during his debut prep in the spring, and he can make a winning return at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.
The Reliable Man gelding was an easy winner on debut at Nowra in September, and he progressed to an eye-catching third behind Head Of State and Profonda in the Gloaming Stakes before ending his campaign fifth in the Spring Champion.
He has had a couple of trials ahead of this return, and anything close to his best would be too good for these rivals.
Race 4 – 4:05pm – Hyland Race Colours Handicap (2200m)
Greek Hero typically keeps his best for a rain-affected track, and he will relish a drop in class at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.
The Jason Deamer-trained gelding has been a consistent performer throughout his campaign, and he only just missed in Saturday company at Eagle Farm in December, while he has found form around some talented horses.
He’s rock-hard fit, and he needs only hold his form to be in the finish of something like this.
Race 5 – 4:40pm – Harry Angel First Yearlings Handicap (1200m)
The talented Roots will make his eagerly awaited return to the races at Warwick Farm on Wednesday, and this looks a lovely launchpad for him.
Roots stamped herself as a filly to follow during her brief debut prep, winning on debut at Goulburn and filling the minors behind a couple of good ones at Randwick
She has had the benefit of a couple of trials leading up to her return, and the booking of James McDonald certainly doesn’t hinder his chances of winning.
Race 6 – 5:15pm – Vinery Yearlings Handicap (1400m)
The well-bred Overlord takes his place in the sixth at Warwick Farm this week, and it looks a lovely race for him.
He has hinted at ability since debuting, but Overlord still did plenty wrong during the early stages of his career, and it appeared as though he wouldn’t meet his potential.
The four-year-old has returned an improved galloper this time however, and he broke his maiden at Gosford when resuming, while only just missing here last time out.
He has a fitness edge over several key rivals on Wednesday and can enjoy a nice run under Hugh Bowman.
Race 7 – 5:50pm – Benchmark 72 Handicap (1100m)
This certainly isn’t the easiest way to end the day from a betting perspective and at publish, we’re faced with $6 the field.
That said, I think that Stormborn’s recent form and consistency can see her into the finish of something like this.
The Mark Newnham-trained galloper has placed in two of his four starts back this time, but she hasn’t been far away from the winner at any appearance, and was just a length behind the likes of So Say You and Eyewitness at Randwick-Kensington last week.
She steps out this week in peak order and we can have something on each-way at around $8 this week.