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By Ray Hickson

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

13. Surf’s Up has the right form around her from a very handy first-up second behind Cantiamo a few weeks back. She did get quite close on the line after peeling off the winner’s back. Relies on enough early speed to be able to run on and back to a maiden she should go close.

Dangers: 8. Miss Lola is an interesting runner resuming having not handled a heavy track when favourite on debut back in May. Her trials leading in have been less exposed than prior to that debut, JMac sticks with her and she’s drawn well. Betting a good guide and worth respecting. 5. Hellabella has led them up and found one better in both runs this time in at Gosford and Hawkesbury. Pushes forward here and back onto a good track she could give a sight. 1. Maquisa had support in a BM72 last week and boxed on okay to run fourth. Backs up and returns to maiden company from the inside gate so can’t be left out.

How to play it: Surf’s Up WIN ($4.20 TAB Fixed Odds).

6. Napoleonic looks a promising type and shook off the maiden in easy fashion when resuming earlier this month. Form around him from his first two starts is solid, he’s clearly come back better and while up in class he does look like he has plenty of upside. Hard to beat.

Dangers: 1. Regulated Affair was kept solid in the market first-up when fifth behind Cantiamo and gets blinkers on here. If he can produce his best from last time in then he’s more than capable of making his presence felt. 2. Duke Of Arrakis started double figures at debut and scored comfortably at Kensington back in June then midfield behind Autumn Boy at Listed level. Won both trials leading in and no surprise if he gives a good account fresh. 7. Johnny was just outpointed by Shirvington two runs back then odds-on and far from disgraced chasing home Prestar at Kensington a month ago on heavy ground. First attempt on a good track and stays in the mix.

How to play it: Napoleonic WIN ($3.30 TAB Fixed Odds).

4. War Ribbon hasn’t raced since mid-July but this sort of distance doesn’t hold any fears for him. He found the mile too short in that race at Randwick but was finding the line with purpose from the back. A couple of trials have him ready and both wins around this trip. Chance in a winnable race.

Dangers: 2. Majorian was a bit too strong in a similar race three weeks ago at this track. He’s up 2kg but is racing well in this grade, puts himself near the speed and should run well again. 5. Mama Joy was far too good for BM64 rivals at Gosford a month ago over this distance and while there’s that gap between runs it’s her fifth start for the prep so fitness should be no issue. Could easily measure up. 3. Fioprospero has been thereabouts of late with a string of placings, including a couple at BM78, but probably didn’t love the heavy at Canterbury last time. Consistent and could bounce back.

How to play it: War Ribbon EACH-WAY ($7.50 TAB Fixed Odds).

7. Shirvington has a handy record and made it back to back Wyong wins for the preparation when rising in grade earlier this month. Runner-up has since won. Carried 61.5kg in both wins and drops a little in weight for the class rise again. Draws to get every chance and should go close.

Dangers: 9. Winston Hills is clearly a threat as he’s been racing in this grade for a while and been very competitive. Fitter for two runs back and closed off as he often does when chasing Well Timed home at Randwick. Likely concedes a start but he has a big finish on him. 5. Peace Officer can only run well here first-up after a nice improvement into his second trial this time in. Doesn’t often have a lot of barrier luck but he’s drawn well enough here and no surprise if he shows up. 2. Mogul Monarch improved back onto a good track when fourth in the Well Timed race at Randwick. Sat handy and boxed on there. Nicely drawn, makes his own luck and is one of the chances.

How to play it: Shirvington WIN ($5.00 TAB Fixed Odds).

6. Fleeting Spirit shapes as a big improver second-up back onto a good track. Ran on when resuming a month ago but it was her first look at a heavy 10 and she didn’t look the happiest. Showed plenty of promise last prep on good ground, drawn well and she’s a good each-way hope.

Dangers: 11. Jellicious was sent out $1.50 and proved too strong when cleaning up a maiden at Hawkesbury at her first run for the Waller stable. Had form around some smart ones as a younger horse and if she can get the right run from the wide gate she’s a big danger. 5. Heesen had a handy first preparation that realized two wins from three starts back in the summer. Chased home Oh Diamond Lil in her latest trial, she should also go forward and interesting to see how she measures up. 2. Flightcrew only had the two runs last time in and they were a little below what she can do. Was honest in her previous prep and with the inside gate she should get a nice run near the speed and could surprise.

How to play it: Fleeting Spirit EACH-WAY ($10 TAB Fixed Odds).

2. Island Dream is the starting point, she was a dominant winner over this track and distance three weeks ago as an odds-on favourite and stays in the same grade. Rises 2.5kg for it but promises to get another nice run in transit and no reason why she shouldn’t take beating again.

Dangers: 12. United Kingdom has been faced with heavy tracks in his two runs back and didn’t appreciate the deteriorating ground when a battling fourth at Canterbury two weeks ago. All his form prior to this prep was on good ground and no surprise if he rebounds. 1. Brosnan finds suitable conditions now after three runs back from a break and he drops a notch in grade too after chasing home Cristal Clear at his past two at Rosehill. Loves a dry track and has the chance to perform. 9. Frontex was a touch disappointing second-up off an impressive fresh win. Perhaps the rise in trip will assist and given it was his only unplaced run to date he's worth another shot.

How to play it: Island Dream WIN ($4.00 TAB Fixed Odds).

BEST BETS:
Race 2 (6) Napoleonic
Race 6 (2) Island Dream.

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