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By Ray Hickson

Tips and race by race preview by Ray Hickson for Wednesday’s meeting at Warwick Farm. Selections based on a Soft track.

1. Adana has found a very nice race to break through for his first win at his first start as a gelding. He has been a bit in and out to date in his six starts but his last appearance was quite a game third behind Brilliant Choice and Nakeeta Jane (who has run well at G1 level since), running the second fastest last 600m of 34.51 (Punters Intel). Post-gelding he trialled very well behind a noted good trialler in Nordicus and from barrier two he should be afforded every hope.

Dangers: 7. Virtual Insanity has put three handy runs together interstate and is worth some respect with the different form line. I thought he had every chance at Moonee Valley last time with a nice sit behind them but he didn’t dash when the gap opened. He can be competitive here. 3. Flying Legend didn’t appear overly happy on the heavy 10 on debut at this track but stuck to his task okay to run third behind Roheryn who looks to be smart. Better track here will assist and he’s open to improvement. 5. Napoleon Solo comes through the same race and he was only getting warm at the finish getting within less than a length from Flying Legend. He also has some scope to improve and is right in this.

How to play it: Adana WIN ($2.60 TAB Fixed Odds).

Adana works home nicely for second in a Rosehill trial on October 2

This race revolves around 1. Betty Blooms who races in the Dixie Blossoms colours and is also trained by Ron Quinton. She’s taken a little time to hit the track but her latest trial just over a week ago was dominant and she appears to get a perfect run from the inside barrier in a race with little pace on paper. She handled the heavy in that latest trial and being out of a Zabeel mare the 1300m fresh is ideal. Check for support closer to the race but she looks the one to beat.

Dangers: 7. Singing Sand showed some promise in her first campaign including an eye-catching third at this track on heavy ground in June. Disappointed before a break and while she was beaten a fair way by Betty Blooms in her second trial she bears very close watching fresh. 8. Sunzusie could get a soft lead here and that gives her a big chance. Couldn’t quite muster at the 1100m first-up and just battled away in fifth here a couple of weeks ago. If you go on her second run last time in when narrowly beaten on a soft track here she’s right in this. 6. Proven Class trialled quite well in her first appearance then I thought just fairly the second time around on a heavy track. That may suggest she could want it a bit firmer so if the track improves her chances may.

How to play it: Betty Blooms WIN ($3.70 TAB Fixed Odds).

Betty Blooms easily wins her Randwick trial on October 15

2. Ilwendo and 5. Shangani Patrol clashed in a similar race two weeks ago and there’s not a lot between them again. Going with Ilwendo to turn the tables with the improving track very much in his favour plus a 1.5kg swing towards him. Likely to come down to tactics but he should be peaking now and has his chance.

Dangers: 5. Shangani Patrol didn’t lead as expected when he just outpointed Ilwendo but he’s likely to take up the running from barrier one with his rival drawn out a bit. Again, whoever settles best of the pair will probably win. 1. Tamarack is more than capable of blousing them if that pair happen to bring each other undone but it has been a little while since he’s broken through. Just fair at Randwick last time but he put together two sound performances in Saturday company prior to that and has placed over 2400m here. Definite chance. 6. Red Dubawi is usually thereabouts though also finds it a bit hard to win them. Ran fourth in the Shangani Patrol race two weeks ago. Probably can’t turn that around but could be placed.

How to play it: Quinella 2 & 5.

Shangani Patrol downs Ilwendo at Warwick Farm on October 10

7. Reprimand goes on top and we’ll probably know our fate after about 200m or so. If she springs out and leads comfortably it’ll take a good performance to run her down, if she doesn’t step sweetly she could be in trouble. She’s been brilliant in three very easy country wins on end and trialled well since her latest. Hasn’t found a super strong race so she will give a big sight. Read more about her here.

Dangers: 5. Pro Consul has been going around in races with a bit more depth and he hit the line nicely in a much improved third behind Roosevelt here two weeks ago. Appreciates wet tracks and fast run races so he could be a blowout chance. 3. Ellie’s Encore produced something like her best third-up when runner-up behind Voila. She won’t have the speed to match Reprimand early but if she lands in a good spot and settles she’s a chance of running her down. 8. Beware led all the way to win on debut at Gosford but wasn’t competitive in a stronger race at Randwick back in June. Whether it was the heavy track remains to be seen but he has trialled okay and is worth including in the chances.

How to play it: Reprimand WIN ($2.40 TAB Fixed Odds).

Reprimand easily wins at Wellington on September 10

6. Campari comes out of a maiden win at Gosford a few weeks ago but she looks a mare of some quality. Stakes placed in New Zealand last year and 1100m really isn’t her go but she was still too good for a subsequent winner first-up. She’ll love the extra trip, a soft track is no concern and she’s drawn well. This will be a harder test but she’s up to it. Read trainer Stephen Marsh's thoughts here.

Dangers: 5. Andaz has gradually improved with each run this time in and he tried hard when runner-up on a very heavy track here two weeks ago. A better surface will suit him and he should have the last look at them in the straight. Capable of going one better. 4. Watchdog controlled the race outside the lead and forged clear for a popular win at Wyong second-up. Expect he’ll push on from the outside alley and if he gets any favours will take some running down. 10. Try ‘N’ Run A Muck looks to map well as an on pacer drawn in and he’s one to include in the trifectas. Nice run fresh at Coonamble and he’s rarely too far away in good quality country races up to a mile. Each-way.

How to play it: Campari WIN ($2.30 TAB Fixed Odds).

Campari proves a bit too strong first-up at Gosford on October 4

12. Pohutukawa creates a bit of interest here in a race that looks up for grabs. She won easily on a heavy track at her second start and wasn’t disgraced against a few Group class youngsters before a spell. Her two trials back have been interesting, particularly the latest where she was all set to run about fourth or fifth and was restrained to beat just one home, against open class horses. Each-way claims at very least.

Dangers: 7. Moccasin Miss is racing well without winning and I don’t think she was overly happy on the heavy 10 here last time so that run can be forgiven. Previous two efforts were good enough to have her in the finish of this. 5. Sweet Ava hasn’t quite lived up to her early promise as yet but back to midweek company and on an improving track she has her chance to show something. Only beaten a couple of lengths by Gem Song last time so won’t know herself in this grade. 10. Meraki Miss is a little hard to line up coming off a win at Orange second-up but she drops 4.5kg and could be an each-way hope.

How to play it: Pohutukawa E/W ($5.00 TAB Fixed Odds).

Keep an eye on Pohutukawa late in her trial at Randwick on October 15

May be going a run too soon but 1. Equipped did more than enough first-up to say he’s come back in good order and will appreciate the step up in trip. He attacked the line very hard late at 1400m two weeks ago, a race run in good time considering the conditions, producing the fastest last 200m of the race in 12.86 (Punters Intel) and it’s from a mile up that he’s very competitive. Each-way hope and if he does run well stick with him.

Dangers: 2. Velocita disappointed at her first two runs back but into a heavy track for the first time and she managed to find her best. Expect she should hold her form now, drawn well and an improving track is no concern. Logical threat. 10. Weekend Affair doesn’t win out of turn but her two best efforts recently have come on wet tracks. Chased the winner home at Kembla last time and narrowly beaten in the Nowra Cup over this trip in May. Could show up. 14. Voilier is very hard to catch but his last couple have been sound against much better quality opposition and I’m sure he’s not suited to leading as he did last start. He’s unreliable but in this sort of race he’s one you have to consider as a fringe player.

How to play it: Equipped E/W ($14 TAB Fixed Odds).

Equipped hits the line strongly late first-up at Warwick Farm on October 10

All the fields, form and replays for Wednesday’s Warwick Farm meeting