Midweek racing rolls around again, and after a solid long weekend of punting, there should be no reason why we can’t keep the winners flowing. Warwick Farm hosts an eight-race program in Sydney, while Bendigo is the venue for our Victorian races. No racing in South Australia today, but we also have meetings from Ipswich and Northam, as well as the usual Happy Valley midweeks in Hong Kong. PlayUp form analyst Lewis Willoughby has identified five key bets to be having today, check them out below.
Bendigo R1 #5 Far Enough $2.50 at PlayUp – Comes here on debut to the 1100m circuit, and has looked very smart in both jump outs leading in. His latest was a dominant win over 800m at Cranbourne, where he was never let off the bridle at any stage. He is a big, raw talent of a horse who I think will eventually appreciate further, but in this maiden of limited depth I can see him being very competitive. The booking of D Oliver is a good push within itself, he should be able to camp in behind the speed from barrier 5 and let down when needed. The market support early doors has been very strong, I think he is still a betting prospect at this current quote pre scratching’s. Save on Squamanzer who could start closer to double figures, which is well over the odds. Selections: 5-3-2-9
Bendigo R5 #9 Lunakorn $9.50 at PlayUp – Happy to be with Lunakorn here, who looks well over the odds at a quote close to double figures. Last start fresh at Sandown he wasn’t given much hope, slow to begin and settling way out the back, and did well to run on. He ran the 2nd fastest closing sectionals of the race, which also rated really highly in the entire meeting, and he was eased down the final 100m when not in contention. The run, therefore, was much better than it looked. He has had a gap between runs, and his recent jump out was super impressive. Second up and out to 1100m suits, sticks to the same grade with the same weight, but gets a senior rider back on board. Handles the wet, should be flying home. Selections: 9-6-7-4
Warwick Farm R5 #9 Jack The Lad $5.00 at PlayUp – I thought it was a race in two here between Jack The Lad and Night Witches, both who I have marked at the same price. For that reason I want to be with Jack The Lad, seeing we are getting a better price for him. Third up here and makes the rise out of maiden grade after an impressive last start victory. He had a good run in behind the leader, took a while to wind up but really knuckled down to the task late and was too strong on the line. Third up out to 1600m looks really suitable, and he only has to carry 54.5kg bottom weight here. From barrier one he maps for a very similar run in behind the lead, and with a touch of luck getting clear running I’m tipping he can be hard to beat again. His recent trial was simply to keep him ticking over between runs, so I wouldn’t be worried about the finishing position or the break between races. Selections: 9-8-4-1
Warwick Farm R7 #7 Petronius $2.10 at PlayUp – Really keen on Petronius who drops back to midweek level for the first time this prep, off the back of two solid Saturday level runs. Last start he was made to work hard in the lead, and stuck on gallantly behind Academy and Icebath, in what looks a good form race. Two runs back when fresh, he didn’t have much room in behind All Time Legend at Randwick. Third up now ready to peak, he sticks to 1400m in BM78 grade, but comes back against his own sex and obviously finds an easier Wednesday level race. Looks to map well from barrier five, and he is already one from one at this track & trip. Going well enough to say that he can be winning this. Selections: 7-8-2-6
Warwick Farm R8 #3 Intrepidacious $5.50 at PlayUp – I’m convinced that this John O’Shea mare has come up extremely well for this prep, and that’s because of the style in which she has won both her trials. Asked to lead in both of them, she has shown very good sustained speed under big holds through the line, and managed to fight off competitors on both occasions. Both of the trials have been over longer distances of 1000m+, so she is sure to be very fit and forward for this run. I think the 1200m trip in this lower grade is an excellent starting point, she has proven herself to run well fresh (4:1-1-1), and the dry ground will really suit. The last time she contested a race at this level, she won, and that was back in February. She will roll forward and sit up in the lead, and it looks to be a race of controlled tempo. Selections: 3-9-10-15
