Latest News

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.

1. Cat D’Oro was perhaps a little disappointing on face value first-up at Randwick but he was a drifter in betting, raced wide on a heavy track and the leader won. Runner-up has since won so the form is looking okay. First go on a good track, blinkers on this time, expect him to roll forward and this is his race to lose.

Dangers: 5. Tamerlane is the one to keep an eye on, particularly with betting leading up to the race. Just the one start and that was in the Black Opal where he was a $9 chance and ran on without threatening beaten three lengths. Had the two trials, is well drawn and looks the logical threat. 7. Captivare was a beaten favourite at Newcastle back in September at his second start, following a heavy track debut, where he performed fairly. Given more time and two sound recent trials, a gelding operation and blinkers he could be a quick improver. 3. Resilient Star had his chance but did improve into his second start at Gosford. The extra distance might be what he’s looking for, he has the inside alley so could measure up and is an each-way chance.

How to play it: Cat D’Oro WIN ($2.00 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS

Cat D’Oro runs third at Randwick on November 3

5. Harmony Rose looks a promising filly in the making and there’s been plenty of merit in her two wins at the provincials. Rallied strongly when challenged at Gosford and was pulling away on the line, steps up to city company now but drawn to be right on the pace and can measure up. Read trainer Mark Newnham's comments here.

Dangers: 2. Easifar was handed the race when unchallenged in front in winning at 1400m on a heavy track at Randwick to break through at start three. May not get is so cosy this time and has to step up to 1600m on a hood track but has to be respected. 1. Angel Helena rebounded from a shock loss at Hawkesbury second-up to score over a mile at Kembla in a driving finish. Should enjoy a nice run again and is in the mix. 3. Sagacious was a big drifter in betting but it didn't matter as he romped in at Goulburn after leading. Interesting to see how he measures up to the class rise this time.

How to play it: Harmony Rose WIN ($2.50 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Harmony Rose wins at Gosford on November 10

4. Shadow Girl faces a bit of a test coming off two Class 1 set weights wins but she does look to be a progressive stayer and this is a race that is well and truly winnable. She’s been the strongest on the line in her Kembla and Wyong wins and that’s promising stepping to 2400m. Go well.

Dangers: 1. Miyake probably won’t get a better chance to win a race in town as he comes back in grade from an even run to She’s Ideel at Randwick and a battling fifth on a heavy track at Rosehill. No stars here but rises 6kg so couldn’t take a short price about him but he is the logical horse to beat. 2. Perfect Illusion should be at his peak after three runs back though did have every chance when runner-up at Benalla after enjoying a perfect run. Gets in very well at the weights so that will help his cause. 3. Crown Affair has also had the three runs back as he tries 2400m for the first time. Both wins have been around the 2100m mark and he can be hit and miss but could take running down here.

How to play it: Shadow Girl E/W ($4.60 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT

Shadow Girl wins at Wyong on November 7

8. Stoical gave nothing else a chance as he ran fast time in winning first-up at Kembla over the 1000m and looks set to measure up with the rise in class. Looked to do it so easily, he gets James McDonald to ride and drawn to lead and give them something to chase again.

Dangers: 5. Ballistic Lover impressed winning her first two runs back including one here where she ran down Malkovich to win over 1100m. Forget she went around in the Crowley at Randwick, a Listed race on a wet track, and while drawn wide there’s only one turn so if she can get comfortable she can be in the finish. 6. Mission Legend ran right off the track but still won well at Kembla two starts ago, went back to the trials for an easy win then drifted off the track again before going down narrowly last start. Senior rider on, and looks to have some talent. Include in the chances. 2. Mr Moppett was close up in a Highway before heading to Flemington where he was game in defeat when third down the straight. Honest type who if he runs up to his last effort should be thereabouts.

How to play it: Stoical WIN ($3.00 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Stoical wins at Kembla Grange on November 14

7. Havin’ Fun did more than enough when a close third on resuming over 1100m to suggest she can run a big race here up in distance. Listed placed at this trip back in March and while she will be a couple of pairs back in the run if she gets the breaks should be finishing hard. Each-way.

Dangers: 3. Olympic Legend seemed to battle a bit at 1400m third-up then improved when racing outside the lead as he edged away to score up in distance. Back in trip and drawn to be very handy, he is one of the main chances as the market indicates. 5. Rathvilly Miss is racing so well without being able to crack it for a win at the moment. Just missed two runs back then again game from on the pace at Randwick, both around the mile. Won’t be far away again. 8. Musume was never challenged in front and duly raced right away to score over 1400m on her home track. Has been here once before and missed a place but likely leader and could give a sight.

How to play it: Having’ Fun E/W ($7.00 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Havin’ Fun runs third at Kensington on October 28

4. Feel The Knight had a very long hard luck story to tell from his sixth at Hawkesbury last start, he was bolting in behind them and at no stage did he get a shot at them. Beaten 1.7 lengths and few would argue he should have won. Looks enough speed for him to sit off them and get to the outside and have his chance.

Dangers: 2. Wander is one of those hoses that is often around the placings and wins one now and then. Blinkers go back on since his close up fifth at Canterbury, he runs well on his home track and is an each-way hope and a winning chance. 8. Major Time is fast as he showed when romping in at Albury over 1000m a couple of weeks ago. Interesting to see how he measures up in town but he has a consistent record and drops 6kg to find out. 1. Ulysses is a little hard to line up at 1100m from the outside gate but watch betting for a push. He won at 1200m when resuming last prep then stretched out beyond a mile. If he wins he’s in for a very good campaign.

How to play it: Feel The Knight E/W ($5.50 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: EVENS.

Feel The Knight’s unlucky sixth at Hawkesbury on November 11

3. Never Talk is unbeaten after four starts so can’t be knocked at all and the form through her narrow Randwick win last time has held up okay since. Up in weight here but has earned it and is obviously very hard to beat.

Dangers: 5. Brazen Gem looks to have come back well judging by her trials and she is another with a very strong first-up record. Probably settles in the second half of the field and look for her to be running home with purpose. 6. Bowery Breeze did her usual thing and charged when the race was all over first-up at Kembla and she has measured up to this sort of grade in her last campaign. Fitter, will get back but if they overdo it could swamp them at odds. 10. Vulpine was too bad to be true first-up at Kensington, was right in the market and weakened badly after sitting on the pace. Capable of better.

How to play it: Never Talk WIN ($2.80 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Never Talk wins at Randwick on November 3

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