Warwick Farm will host New South Wales midweek metropolitan racing this Wednesday where seven races will be run and won.
Fine weather is forecast, the track is rated a Good 4 and the rail is in the true position.
We’ve provided our thoughts on each of the seven races below.
Race 1 - 1:25pm AEST
BENCHMARK 78 FILLIES & MARES HANDICAP (1600 METRES)
Blackcomb (3) impressed in his first start for Kris Lees after moving north from Danny O’Brien’s Melbourne stable.
The Vancouver mare settled back from the wide gate at Wyong over 1600m before finding the line strongly to win by 0.8 of a length.
The turn of foot she displayed suggests that she is a better quality horse than provincial grade and that will be put to the test here.
Dylan Gibbons can settle closer from the inside gate.
1 Unit – Blackcomb (3)
Race 2 - 2:00pm AEST
3YO BENCHMARK 68 HANDICAP (1200 METRES)
Balkans (8) returned in terrific order last start over 1200m at Wyong.
The Godolphin-owned Lonhro colt enjoyed a nice run before arrogantly putting away his rivals in the blink of an eye to win by just under a length.
That was a maiden so this is obviously harder, but he looks to have an abundance of class to handle it.
Zac Lloyd should be able to settle in a handy position and give his mount every chance.
2 Units – Balkans (8)
Race 3 - 2:35pm AEST
MAIDEN PLATE (1200 METRES)
Drift Net (6) is on debut for James Cummings and looks to have been educated well for the experience.
The daughter of Exceed And Excel has had four trials, two before a break and two after.
She impressed in the most recent at Hawkesbury where she worked home strongly under a hold to finish a close third.
She’s drawn beautifully in barrier 2 which should see Zac Lloyd settle in a prominent position.
1 Unit – Drift Net (6)
Race 4 - 3:10pm AEST
BENCHMARK 72 HANDICAP (1600 METRES)
Mr Buster (5) is having his first Australian start following a brief UK career that saw him winning over 2011m at Ripon last start in May.
Now with the Maher and Eustace stable, the Sea The Stars gelding has warmed up with two trials.
He showed significant improvement in his most recent trial where he worked home strongly under his own steam.
He looks well placed in this class of race and gets the services of top jockey Jason Collett.
1 Unit – Mr Buster (5)
Race 5 - 3:45pm AEST
BENCHMARK 72 HANDICAP (2110 METRES)
Chateaux Park (2) was outclassed when finishing towards the back of the pack in the Listed Tatts Cup.
The start prior, the Jason Deamer-trained Ocean Park gelding ran on well to finish second over 2400m at Randwick.
He drops back to a Benchmark 72 Handicap and the last time he competed in this class was three starts ago and he won over 2200m here by just under a length.
If they run along in front, that will aid his cause.
1 Unit – Chateaux Park (2)
Race 6 - 4:20pm AEST
BENCHMARK 72 FILLIES & MARES HANDICAP (1100 METRES)
Ithadtobezou (2) resumes here following two trials with the most recent providing the mare with a solid hit out.
The John Thompson-trained daughter of Zoustar races well fresh and did win her maiden at Canterbury when resuming last preparation.
She had a good campaign, moving her way up through the grades to compete at black-type level.
Josh Parr should be able to settle on speed from barrier 3.
1 Unit – Ithadtobezou (2)
Race 7 - 4:55pm AEST
BENCHMARK 78 HANDICAP (1300 METRES)
Saltcoats (8) caught the eye running on strongly in his first Australian start.
The former kiwi who is now with Chris Waller, jumped well but was forced to go back from the wide gate before running on powerfully to finish fifth by 2.34 lengths to Garza Blanca.
Pereille was ahead of him that day, but Saltcoats has more scope for improvement.
He’ll strip fitter second-up and I’d suspect Joao Moreira will settle closer from the inside gate.
2 Units – Saltcoats (8)