Another Wednesday of racing comes before us, with some great cards from all over the country. Warwick Farm, Doomben, Sandown Hillside, Gawler and Ascot are our venues today, with with racing kicking off just after 12pm AEST. PlayUp form analyst Lewis Willoughby has identified his five best picks of the day, see them below.
Sandown Hillside R2 #8 Write Enuff $2.80 at PlayUp – Becoming a bit of a bookmakers friend is this horse, with a number of placings at short quotes without being able to win for the punters. But i’m tipping that can change today! Her first up run last start was good, she’s fitter for that effort and arguably strikes a pretty ordinary race. Her best runs come over the 1000m, so i’m glad they elected to stick to this trip. Her only win came on soft going, so the ground will be suitable. Selections: 8-1-3-6
Sandown Hillside R4 #8 Mr Stylish $3.60 at PlayUp – This P Stokes trained galloper comes here off the back of a mightily impressive last start win, where he settled back in the field, peeled wide in the straight and put them away dominantly. That win was first up on a heavy 8 over 1400m, which is usually a near impossible task. It tells me he has come back in very good order, and can go on with it here. Up to the 1500m suits, as will the wet ground presented on the day. He likely maps back from barrier 11, so hopefully the track is allowing horses to run on, because he will be close to last on turning. Selections: 8-9-10-7
Sandown Hillside R7 #5 Mean Mister $9.50 at PlayUp – On what looks a very open day at Sandown, the quote about Mean Mister looks far too good to pass up. Comes here second up, after a very sound fresh run where he was caught three wide the entire trip and still managed to stick on very well for second. He’s bound to have taken a lot of improvement off that tough run, and the slight freshen in between should have him ready to go again. What stands out for me is his unreal stats leading into this event. He’s placed second up previously, his record at the 1300m is 5:2-1-1, his record in rain affected ground is 9:4-2-2, and he is one win from one attempt at the track and distance. A horse with those stat lines, and coming off a great fresh run, does not deserve to be double figures in the market. The wet track expected on race day clearly helps his chances, and he maps to be up on the speed, which is always a bonus at this track. Selections: 5-18-4-8
Warwick Farm R3 #6 Hibiscus Lady $4.00 at PlayUp – Comes here fresh off the back of two really nice trials, in particular the first one over 736m at Randwick. Once balanced in the straight, she sprinted really well with the top two, before being put back under a big hold near the line. It was a really good piece of work, she looks to be back this prep in good style. She has won first up in the past, so no issues about her being ready to go here, and from three attempts at the 1000m, she has won two of them. This is a test here in metro grade, as most of her best runs have been at the provincials, but you could say the same for the rest of the field too! Good chance. Selections: 6-3-4-7
Warwick Farm R6 #8 Petronius $3.60 at PlayUp – Second up here off the back of a very good fresh run last start, finishing second behind Satin Socks in what looks a strong form reference. His only other career win came second up, and it was at this 1400m distance. Should really appreciate the step up in distance, just needs a touch of luck from the wide barrier in the running. McEvoy sticks on, and he drops 1.5kg off the last start effort, due to the rise in grade. However, I think he is more than capable at this level, and can be winning here. Selections: 8-6-3-14
