Free tips and form for Warwick Farm, Saturday, December 23
The December Handicap always tells punters that Christmas is near and we could all do with some more spending money.
Warwick Farm hosts a rare Saturday meeting due to the Boxing Day races on Tuesday, and it means punters get even more thoroughbred racing action to bet on.
The nine-race card includes some talented types and we have free tips, form and odds for every race.
Race 1 – Merry Xmas Plate (1200m)
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Charge is a two-year-old colt for Chris Waller which finished well for third on debut at Rosehill.
The son of Zoustar ran 3.8 lengths behind Gongs, which is a solid effort considering how talented the James Cummings-trained runner is.
He didn’t get a lot of room in the straight which made it hard to make up ground, but race experience helps here and the bookmakers have opened it up as the firm favourite.
Race 2 – BM77 Handicap (1600m)
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Scream Park scored an impressive win on this track last start and it could kick on with it now.
The three-year-old son of Ocean Park scored by 1.8 lengths over Stock Up and its third placing prior to that came behind subsequent winner Seaway.
The rise to the mile should only help its chances and it gets the weight advantage over the current favourite and stablemate Sparky Lad.
Race 3 – BM83 Handicap (1600m)
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Punters were quick to put Cellarman in the black book following its storming run for third at Rosehill last start.
The son of Mossman settled near the back of the field in a three-wide position before hitting the line with purpose over the 1500m.
Any further and he would have scored an easy win, so punters are prepared to have another go on the four-year-old.
Chris Waller could well win the first three races on the card and Cellarman looks like one of the better chances.
Race 4 – Highway Handicap (1600m)
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Roseito has looked good in winning two of its three starts this campaign, which also included a second placing in the Highway Handicap at Rosehill.
The Paul Messara-trained four-year-old hit the line well when winning at Canterbury last start and that city experience is going to hold it in good stead for this.
A well-bred runner by Snitzel, Roseito is a value runner at $4.60 after opening at $4.20 and the inside draw is only going to help her chances.
Race 5 – BM80 Handicap (2110m)
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Punters are waiting for Mornington to show its best form and that could come here.
The European import for Chris Waller finished third in its Australian debut at Rosehill in November and has since run fourth on two occasions.
All three runs have come at Rosehill and a change in scenery might be enough to see it over the line.
We wouldn’t suggest taking odds lower than the $5, but it’s good value at that price.
Race 6 – BM85 Sprint (1200m)
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Test the World is set for a good summer if its last start win is anything to go by.
The Bjorn Baker-trained mare by Testa Rossa scored a strong win over Bon Amis and that form should stack up nicely this season.
Baker has always had a big opinion of this four-year-old and the six-time winner from 10 starts is relatively underrated at this stage of her career.
$2.60 with bookmakers is a fair price.
Race 7 – December Handicap (1400m)
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Punters will need to dig deep to forgive Supply and Demand for its woeful performance in the Group 1 Railway Stakes, but it has the ability.
The Waterhouse/Bott-trained gelding is a seven-time winner from 20 starts which looked good when winning the Grafton Cup last season.
The one month in between runs might help and there has been some good early support for him in the betting.
Race 8 – BM86 Handicap (1400m)
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Pipeline has been one of the best-backed runners in the early markets.
A former Magic Millions 3YO runner, the Gerald Ryan-trained four-year-old only narrowly went down last start at Rosehill and this doesn’t look much harder.
Stepping up to the 1400m will help and the opening odds of $3.30 have been taken by punters. It’s now into $3.10 which is a solid move.
Race 9 – BM85 Handicap (1400m)
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Noire has turned the corner this campaign with consecutive wins.
The four-year-old by Foxwedge was a one-length winner fresh up at Canterbury before repeating the dose at Rosehill last start.
She went off the boil a touch last time in work, but those issues have been resolved and we’re expecting another good run this Saturday.
It opened at $2.90 and has drifted out a touch to $3.