Spring has sprung, and there is a great midweek racing program to get stuck on to on this first Wednesday of September. It should be dry tracks at Bendigo and Warwick Farm, and it’s clearly evident that the quality of racing is going to be sharply increasing over the next few weeks. Eagle Farm, Gawler and Belmont are the other metropolitan meetings in Australia today, so have a look at PlayUp form analyst Lewis Willoughby’s top five picks for the day.
Bendigo R4 #11 Namibia $5.00 at PlayUp – Keen to stick with this horse second up here, coming off the back of an impressive first up win At Geelong over 1130m. Settled towards the rear, and once she found clear air she put the field away very impressively. D Oliver sticks with the ride, and now fitter second up she will be able to settle a touch closer in the run. I think over time she will want further than this 1100m journey, but after the strong win last start I can’t find a reason to jump off. Selections: 11-7-6-10
Bendigo R5 #2 Bermadez $2.30 at PlayUp – Not sure I want to be taking any price less than the current quote, but Bermadez looks like he could have an abundance of talent. Comes off a debut win where he bolted in by over 5L, eased down on the line as Ollie posed for the photo. He was forced to work and cross the field that day too, making the ease of his win all the more impressive. Second up here and straight to cl1 grade, but stats will tell you that it’s definitely possible to win again. His debut win rated very well, and from barrier one today he should find the front much easier. Selections: 2-9-4-3
Bendigo R8 #11 Chaillot $3.80 at PlayUp – Listed winner resuming here, and was a winner of both career starts in her first prep including the Listed Anzac Day Stakes. She has had three strong jump outs leading into this first up race, and the latest came over 1200m where she was pushed out hard to win. I suspect she will be very fit and forward for this event off the three pieces of work, and coming to 1300m fresh should be ideal. Craig Williams retains the services from last prep, and with the possibility of a strong tempo she will be able to park off the speed and should be getting over the top late. Selections: 11-16-4-3
Warwick Farm R4 #1 Home Ground $2.90 at PlayUp – Keen on Home Ground here in this staying event, largely due to the speed map, and how I expect the track to play. There looks a real lack of speed in this race, with the exception of Home Ground who will be able to go straight to the front and dictate terms. I’m expecting with this drying track that it plays to a sizeable leader/rails bias, and with that being said Home Ground should have every favour. Fifth up, down in grade and was very strong at Randwick last start going down very narrowly to Kiss The Bride. Red Hot Chillypins is more well-off at the weights, but will have to overcome the bias. Selections: 1-3-4-5
Warwick Farm R6 #3 Bartley $4.40 at PlayUp – Comes here second up and stuck to the task well at Randwick first up over 1200m. Was fighting on strongly through the line, and i’m tipping that race will prove a strong form line moving forward. Second up here and fitter, and will appreciate coming back to a firm surface today. From barrier 12 McDonald should send him forward and contest the lead, possible sitting outside Nerone. With fitness on his side, and the step out to 1300m as well, he could just be too strong over the concluding stages. Selections: 3-6-4-9
