Midweek racing comes around from a number of venues across the state today. Warwick Farm will host all the Sydney action with the usual 7-race midweek card. Bendigo gets the nod down in Victoria, and Belmont and Eagle farm also host racing. Most importantly though, there is a big day at Balaklava in South Australia for the running of the Balaklava Cup. There’s nine races to get through on the premier day of racing for the club, and should be a great race over the mile later in the program. PlayUp form analyst Lewis Willoughby has identified his best five plays of the day below.
Bendigo R5 #4 Branders Rule $8.50 at PlayUp – I think this P Moody horse has been a touch forgotten by the market, and should be worth an each way ticket. First up two starts ago he ran fourth in the G3 Vain Stakes at Caulfield, and was very impressive through the line over that 1200m distance. The horse who finishes second, Ranting, has now run very well in group level again at Flemington. Last start Branders Rule was caught 5 deep no cover throughout in the G3 McNeills Stakes at Caulfield, and is a complete forget run. Comes here to a midweek class 1, and is treated very well at the weights with only 57kg. Out to 1400m will definitely suit, just needs luck from the barrier. Selections: 4-5-6-1
Bendigo R8 #11 Jerle $5.00 at PlayUp – A small play on Jerle here in the last in what looks a very competitive race. Last start fresh finished 2nd behind Peggy Selene in this same BM70 level. After being a touch flat footed at the top of the straight, I was very impressed with the way he attacked the line within the last 200m. He ran 11.80 for his final 200m split, which was the fastest of the meeting. Sticking to equal grade, he drops 3.5kg which is a huge weight advantage, and out to 1100m will be suitable as well. Any luck finding cover from barrier 11 and he can be very competitive. Selections: 11-9-8-13
Warwick Farm R6 #8 Joviality $3.00 at PlayUp – Looked for reasons to bet against this talented filly here, but genuinely couldn’t come up with any and therefore i’m keen she can make it three wins in a row. Her previous two runs both culminating in strong victories by solid margins, including last start in a small field of quality opposition at this track. Fifth up now into the prep and rock hard fit, back out to 1300m should be no issue at all. This is harder grade, but she drops 2kg in weight and it doesn’t actually seem like a race with a whole heap of depth. Think her price is more than fair. Selections: 8-9-11-2
Eagle Farm R3 #7 Chauffeur $1.75 at PlayUp – Returned very nicely last start fresh with a great win over the 1200m at Doomben. This horse always displayed glimpses of great ability when racing in Sydney, and it seems as though the stable change to the very in-form David Vandyke yard has unlocked the keys to this runner. Out to 1300m now second up suits, and has drawn very well in barrier 3. Down 1.5kg from last start obviously due to the harder grade, but looks well placed here in midweek level and I can’t see any reason why he would not be able to go on with it today.
