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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 Good track.

On the surface 1100m up to a mile doesn’t look ideal for a horse having its second start. But 8. Stardome was entered for a 1300m race the day before his debut so I’m thinking he was prepared for that then was switched at the last minute. It could explain why he was a bit flat and outsprinted. He did start $2.50 and worked home strongly when the race was all over, clocking the fastest last 200m of 12.33 (Punters Intel) and given he’s bred to excel at a mile plus he’s in his comfort zone now. Expect him to run well.

Dangers: 6. Orcein is starting to run out of chances but given he’s out of a Zabeel mare the mile might be what he’s looking for. Ran home when the races was over at Canterbury last time and given a mid-prep trial over 1030m. Gets another chance. 5. Invictus Warrior has had the best preparation to go to 1600m though he was safely held by Purple Sector at Kembla at his second start and was involved in a close finish for the placings. Getting close to his peak and if there is any improvement in him he’s in the mix. 3. Castel Sant’Angelo attracted some support on debvut at Newcastle and stayed on okay up on the pace, just missing a place. Likely improver and wouldn’t surprise to see him give a sight.

How to play it: Stardome WIN ($4.20 TAB Fixed Odds).

Stardome’s debut third at Warwick Farm on September 19

2. Nai’a looks to have improved this preparation after being able to win second-up at 1500m at Kembla a couple of weeks ago. She settled last there and was able to round them up and she’s capable of repeating that, though with a handy draw she might settle a little closer. A mare on the way up who should be hard to beat.

Dangers: 3. Palmateer backs up for the third week in a row and there’s definitely less depth in this field than in her solid third behind the smart Girl Tuesday last week. She only has to retain her level of form to be in the finish of this. 1. Grand Soleil has a fantastic record at the mile and ran out a popular winner over this trip at Hawkesbury last start. She’ll be right on the speed again here and must be considered. 6. Pick Of The Day started $4.80 in the race won by Nai’a at Kembla but disappointed as she dropped out from an on speed spot. Previous efforts were very good so she’s entitled to some forgiveness.

How to play it: Nai’a WIN ($2.60 TAB Fixed Odds).

Nai’a mows them down to win at Kembla Grange on September 18

1. Scratches is becoming very costly to follow but in fairness she hasn’t had the best of luck lately. Should have won at Canterbury two starts ago then out a bit too late at Rosehill last week but still found the line, she ran the fastest last 600m of 35.54 and 200m of 12.04 (Punters Intel). Can’t see the trip being an issue, smaller field in her favour and while she’s a bit on the short side she’s clearly the one to beat.

Dangers: 2. Iron Duke came off a couple of very easy provincial wins then gave a good account in a similar race to this won by High Bridge a couple of weeks ago. Probable leader and he is a good chance. 3. Go Benny has been thereabouts at his last three starts and probably wasn’t suited to leading at Randwick last time. Battled on fairly to run fifth, freshened up and given an easy trial since. Can show up here. 4. Orokonui is an up and comer who has been running on well without winning at the provincials of late. First try beyond 2000m and while eligible for easier races he’s consistent and could measure up.

How to play it: Scratches WIN ($1.80 TAB Fixed Odds).

Scratches runs on into second at Rosehill on September 26

Despite come of the speed engaged coming out there's still enough for 3. Sizzling Ace to be charging home fresh. She resumed at 1050m last prep and went under narrowly then progressed to Group company and wasn’t beaten far by the likes of Zousain, Lean Mean Machine and The Autumn Sun. No official trials so the market will be our best pointer but has the class to be very competitive.

Dangers: 10. Sangita wasn’t suited to leading in the Tea Rose but was outclassed anyway. She had no luck prior to that in a strong BM74 at Randwick and should have finished much closer than the three length defeat. Go well. 2. Fortification does look to be a promising horse and with the scratchings his chances are enhanced. If he gets across he'll be hard to beat after an easy win here a couple of weeks back. 6. Mansa Musa ran up to his excellent trial effort when leading all the way at Gosford on debut. More depth here but another with some upside who could measure up.

How to play it: Sizzling Ace E/W ($3.80 TAB Fixed Odds).

Sizzling Ace runs third to Lean Mean Machine at Doomben in May

Not too concerned about 2. Deity drawing the outside here as she certainly didn’t appreciate gate one at Canterbury last start where she was badly held up for a run before making a late dive to just miss. Straight run to the home turn and so long as she’s balanced it doesn’t really matter whether she sits wide or not. But the easier run she can get the harder she will be to beat.

Dangers: 7. Voila was gifted the lead and was barely troubled in breaking through here a couple of weeks ago. The runner-up has since won and she’ll be afforded a nice run up on the pace from the inside alley. Logical danger. 3. Wooshka is an interesting runner. She obviously didn’t come up last time in, failing in two starts in June, but she has a win over Nicci’s Gold and wasn’t far from D’Argento and Shumookh back in January. Blinkers first time and she’s worth keeping safe. 9. Bandol tried to lead all the way last start at Randwick and battled on pretty well to be beaten a length by She’s Furline. Scratched from a race last week and trialled instead, she’ll likely give a good sight up on the speed.

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

Deity is narrowly beaten at Canterbury on September 12

If we were looking at a 1200m event there’d be more confidence but it’s hard to see 8. Sexy Eyes not figuring somewhere in the finish fresh. She bumped into Serene Miss first-up last time in at 1100m and she has trialled well enough to suggest that if they run along enough and she has a clear shot at them she can be hard to hold out.

Dangers: 5. Almanzora is one of a swarm of Godolphin runners and she let the side down when she went under as a short priced favourite at Randwick a month ago. Back to the trials for a freshen up and she’s probably looking for 1100m now. She’ll be a major stumbling block. 3. Sasso Corbaro is a handy mare on her day and the only times she’s missed a placing have come in stakes races where she still ran well. Not sure where she’ll get to from the outside alley but it’s a pretty fair starting point so if she’s solid in betting expect her to run well. 2. Schubert has a strong fresh record and while 1100m is a bit short of his best he’s had two trials and his record says he’ll be competitive at least.

How to play it: Sexy Eyes E/W ($5 TAB Fixed Odds).

Sexy Eyes finishes off her trial at Rosehill on September 21

So far 6. Mahalangur has promised more than he has delivered but in a race of few chances on paper he really has the opportunity to step up and show what he’s made of. Kicking off at 1300m suits and he has the benefit of two trials including an easy win at Rosehill a couple of weeks back. Drawn ideally and if he’s going anywhere this prep he’ll win.

Dangers: 2. Bravissimo led them up before holding on for a solid third when resuming at Canterbury. Sent back to the trials for a tune up and he’ll press forward to lead from the outside and can be a bit harder to catch. 3. Marathon is up in class a bit but he’s racing well. Likely to press forward with Bravissimo onto the pace and he’ll certainly run a strong 1300m so could be in the finish. 5. Smart Ain't He disappointed last start at this track when up sharply in distance after leading but previous efforts suggests he's capable of being somewhere in the finish if he can shrug off that failure.

How to play it: Mahalangur WIN ($2.00 TAB Fixed Odds).

Mahalangur wins his trial at Rosehill on September 21

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