It has been a while between race starts for Scarface Romeo, but there is no doubt that he has a clear class edge over the rest of this field. He showed a nice turn-of-foot during his maiden racing campaign and he has trialled nicely at Cranbourne ahead of his return to the races. He is well-placed to make a winning return.
Parsifal returned to the races with a career best effort at Morphettville and the form coming out of that race has been strong. He still has the scope to improve on that performance and I like the fact that he is being kept at 1000 metres. Barrier four is ideal and Jamie Kah is riding in excellent form.
Inn Keeper is the horse to beat in the Wangoom Handicap. He returned to the races with a solid effort at Caulfield and he generally does go to another level second-up – he has recorded two wins from as many starts at this stage of his campaign. Symon Wilde has a great record at Warrnambool and Inn Keeper is a proven winner.
Northern River has been building towards a race win this campaign and she should be able to get it at Warrnambool today. She savaged the line to finish second at Oakbank last start and that was her first ever defeat over 1400 metres. The wide barrier draw could prove to be an advantage, as she will get clear running, and she has the benefit of William Pike in the saddle.