2012 Group One racing in Sydney kicks off this weekend at Warwick Farm for the Chipping Norton Stakes (1600m). After bumping in to Rain Affair in his first two starts for new trainer Chris Waller, Shoot Out looks perfectly placed to win another major. But Cox Plate winner Pinker Pinker and stablemate Danleigh will prove to be stiff opposition.

The three-year-old fillies continue their Autumn campaign in the Surround Stakes (1400m). With normal luck, Streama should beat this lot comfortably. She was most unlucky first up and she’ll be looking for redemption here.

Doncaster Mile aspirants will kick off their preparation in the Liverpool City Cup, with most eyes expected to be on boom horse Somepin Anypin, who is first up but has trialled brilliantly in readiness for Satruday.

The mares will do battle in the Wiggle Stakes, with high class type Secret Admirer aiming to improve on her solid first up run at Rosehill a few weeks back. She should prove very hard to beat.

Race One: Schweppes Plate 1200m

Back Me: Put the house on Pure Hustle. You will not find a better trialler than this gelding and his effort on the Kensington track. Only has to overcome the wide barrier and he’ll spank these.
Don’t Back Me: Faustus is a risk if the track is worse than a dead5. He trialled poorly in the wet and punters should steer clear of him.
Big Danger: Narcissus got within a long neck of Raceway in his lone start. That is very good form and he should give a sight.
Roughie: Catkins has had one start, for a soft kill at Kembla Grange. Trialled well recently, she’ll sit near the speed and be in the finish.

Race Two: Panucci Transport Handicap 2200m

Back Me: Coliseo was very, very impressive at Canberra last start, despite coming back 800m from his start prior. Little bit of give in the ground is perfect, stepping up to 2200m is perfect and Peter Robl is in fine form at the moment.
Don’t Back Me: After a strong first up win, Kinnersley has done little in two subsequent runs. Not for me.
Big Danger: Diamond Jim was caught wide with no cover last start and has to be forgiven for that. Races well at this track and is weighted very nicely.
Roughie: Sandberg travelled well, but when he was eased to the outside, he did nothing. That’s because horses could pull out wide and make ground. Back on his home track now and is sure to be at juicy odds.

Race Three: Alconex Fire Handicap 1100m

Back Me: If he is anywhere near right, Uate will win here. Three trials to prepare for this have been super, inclduing a second behind Hay List last Friday. Didn’t come up in the Spring. Hopefully that all changes here.
Don’t Back Me: Title has the class, but 62.5kg first up? No thanks.
Big Danger: Zaratone only knows one way to run- flat out fast. Little birdy has told me this bloke is coming along nicely and is ready to win first up. He’ll be on the speed and that is a huge advantage at Warwick Farm.
Roughie: Mighty Obvious rarely wins, but he is never far away from the finish. He’ll lead and give them something to chase. The 1100m at this track is in his favour.

Race Four: Patinack Farm Surround Stakes 1400m

Back Me: Streama. Best bet of the day throughout Australia. $1.80 is superb odds. She should be $1.20.
Don’t Back Me: Sea Siren was very lucky to beat Streama in the Light Fingers. 1400m against a crack bunch of fillies will be the ultimate test and I think she’ll fail.
Big Danger: Hallowbell Belle hit the line very powerfully in her debut run for Gai Waterhouse behind Sea Siren and Streama. She won’t beat Streama, but she should finish in the placings.
Roughie: Detours toughed it out and ran the 1200m out strongly last weekend. The quick back up against these is a positive lead from the Snowden camp.

Race Five: Calcoup Knitwear Handicap 1600m

Back Me: Nice race for Said Com. Bumped in to a good one in the shape of Laser Hawk at Rosehill last start. A weak field here, he should take care of them.
Don’t Back Me: Brayroan was solid enough last weekend over 1500m, but I feel he is looking for 2000m now. Wait until he gets to that journey.
Big Danger: Thumbtacks sat outside the speed and fought on well behind Single. Drops back 200m in distance which is perfect, should sit near the pace without too much trouble and challenge the top tip strongly.
Roughie: Agent Bauer had no hope behind Coliseo at Canberra last start. Didn’t have galloping space and never got warm until the final 100m. With a clear passage, he can surprise.

Race Six: Chipping Norton Stakes 1600m

Back Me: This is D-Day for Shoot Out. Two excellent runs for Chris Waller, he has the fitness edge, loves the 1600m, handles rain affected ground and is is drawn to get the run of the race. If he doesn’t win here, sack him.
Don’t Back Me: Pinker Pinker was good first up in the Futurity, but she did have the best run in the race, apart from the winner. Wide barrier, a couple of high class WFA horses against her, she seems to be a risk at this stage of her campaign.
Big Danger: Danleigh was superb in defeat behind Rain Affair and Shoot Out in the Apollo where he sat wide with no cover yet hit the line as good as anything. Barrier three here, Cassidy sticks with the veteran and he is the only horse capable of beating Shoot Out for me.
Roughie: Herculian Prince showed a glimpse of his old form where he worked home nicely in the Apollo. Can he win? No, but he can sit on the speed and give a sight.

Race Seven: Liverpool City Cup 1300m

Back Me: Neeson hardly runs well fresh, so it was a surprise that he finished second behind No Evidence Needed in the Southern Cross. He flies second up, drawn well, he’ll lead and prove hard to gun down.
Don’t Back Me: Ofcourseican is talented, but she doesn’t know what the winning post looks like. Place bet for sure.
Big Danger: Very keen to see how Somepin Anypin resumes. Normally takes a run to find his best, but from all reports this is the most forward he has been for a first up run. That’s reflected in the betting.
Roughie: Fast Clip ran very well in the Spring against some top draw gallopers. Resumes here, trialled nicely and although drawn terribly, he can figure in the finish.

Race Eight: Sharp Wiggle Stakes 1400m

Back Me: I can’t see anything beating Secret Admirer. She only got warm very late in the Southern Cross after sitting well back. She’ll do the same again here, but hopefully there will be some pace for her.
Don’t Back Me: Steps In Time was strong in the Breeders Classic, beating home Beaded and Red Tracer, which is fantastic form. However, a wide barrier and carrying 56.5kg against this lot will not be easy.
Big Danger: Cabernet got out and worked home well enough in the Triscay a fortnight back. Extra journey helps, as does the perfect barrier for her as she can sit off the pace and use her short, sharp turn of speed.
Roughie: Ladys Angel had the box seat trail, loomed up but just peaked late in the Breeders Classic. Goes much better second up, Should get another lovely trail and be right in the mix again.