Warwick Stakes betting at Randwick with odds, form and free tips
WINX is the star attraction at Randwick this Saturday when it runs in the Group 2 Warwick Stakes.
The Chris Waller-trained superstar is making its eagerly-awaited return after winning the Doncaster Handicap and bookmakers don’t think it can get beaten.
There is plenty of other good racing on the Randwick card which includes the Silver Shadow Stakes, Tow Show Quality and the Up And Coming Stakes for the youngsters. We have all the odd, forms and free tips for the nine-race card which kicks off at 12pm with the Moraitis Communications Handicap.
Place a bet on Winx in the Warwick Stakes with CrownBet.com.au for the best Winx odds in Australia.
Race 1 – Moraitis Communications R83 Handicap (1400m)
Super Tycoon has been in great form this campaign with three consecutive wins. The son of Written Tycoon defeated Tower Of Song by 3.8 lengths last start and the form in behind it has been solid. It is undefeated in four starts at this distance and $2.60 suggests it’s in for another strong showing.
Pindan Pearl is the next best market chance at $4.40. The Tim Martin-trained mare is a winner of five races from 24 starts and its most recent win came two starts back at Rosehill. The six-year-old handles all track conditions with two wins coming on slow and three wins coming on a good track, so whatever the track condition it will be a tough horse to beat.
Conarchie wasn’t too far behind We’re Sure last start, but it does rise in grade for this. The Clarry Connors-trained gelding does drop down in weight which will help and the four-time winner at this distance should be in the mix. Brenton Avdulla is riding in great form and it pays to follow him at the moment.
Race 1 tip: Super Tycoon to win ($2.60) at Sportsbet.com.au
Race 2 – The Randwick Mayor’s Cup (2400m)
Braces is in consistent form having won or placed at its last five starts. The Gregory Hickman-trained gelding finished second behind race-favourite Lie Direct last start, but it has some nine lengths to make up. Andrew Adkins takes 2kg off its back, but place chances seem best in this at $8.50 and $2.40.
Lie Direct turned consistent form into an effortless win last start at Randwick. The son of Zabeel relished the heavy conditions with a nine length win and a repeat could be on the cards. This is technically a drop in grade, but it goes up in weight and there are some talented rivals here. It has been well-favoured to win at $2.80 which looks a fair price.
Richard Of Yorke is a European import for Chris Waller which fought on well behind Signposted last start. The son of Oasis Dream should improve with racing and the addition of Hugh Bowman is a positive. Prefer to see it later this campaign, but the $4 suggests it has a winning hope.
Race 2 tip: Lie Direct to win ($2.80) at CrownBet.com.au
Race 3 – Tab Highway Handicap (1600m)
Akiko Gold is the current $3.40 favourite following a last start second placing at Rosehill. The Richard Clarke-trained mare finished second behind About Time in a similar Highway Handicap race and it gets the benefit of having Tommy Berry in the saddle again. It has good form this campaign against some strong fields and it looks tough to beat.
Grand Rouge has been well respected on the second line of betting at $4.40. The six-year-old has won only two from 21 starts, but it fought on well behind About Time last start and its form prior included another Highway Handicap placing. The win rate is a concern, but it should run well again at each way odds.
High Tec is a long shot chance at $26, but with the apprentice claim of Deanne Panya, it could come into calculations. The former New Zealand gelding has won only three from 23 starts and wasn’t sighted against a similar field last start, but improvement is expected and a slow track would suit best. Worth a stab at the big odds.
Race 3 tip: High Tec to place ($6) at Bet365.com.au
Race 4 – Primo Smallgoods Up And Coming Stakes (1300m)
Derryn is a highly-touted colt from the Hayes/Dabernig stables which flew home to win at Caulfield last start. The three-year-old by Hinchinbrook will relish the rise up in distance and there has been plenty of punters looking forward to backing the colt again. It gets in well on the weights at 54kg and the $3 suggests another top run is on the horizon.
Thronum has the benefit of having four race day starts, winning three of them including the Rosebud Stakes last start. The Waterhouse/Bott-trained colt has plenty of class about it and the only worry for punters is whether it will cope with the increase in distance. James McDonald takes over from Tommy Berry in the saddle and that won’t hurt its chances. Steady second favourite at $4.
Tommy Berry switches to ride Divine Prophet which he rode to victory at Kembla Grange two starts back. The Hawkes-trained colt produced a strong finish for third in the Champagne Stakes behind Prized Icon and that form should stack up nicely for this. It has drawn awkwardly in barrier nine, but consider here as it has been specked in the market at $5.
Race 4 tip: Thronum to win ($4) at CrownBet.com.au
Race 5 – Alpha Flight Services Silver Shadow Stakes (1200m)
Manaya makes its return to racing after winning the Woodlands Stakes on debut. The Michael Costa-trained filly meets a much tougher field here, but its debut win at Scone was impressive and it was hard to ignore. It has had two trials back which it didn’t do much, but there is plenty of confidence around at the short price of $3.80.
Omei Sword is a talented filly for Chris Waller which won on debut before tackling some tough opposition. The daughter of High Chaparral ran second in the Magicnight Stakes before disappointing for ninth in the Sires’ Produce. It will find this easier and it is the current favourite at $2.80.
Calliope should be respected despite finishing down the track in the Group 1 Golden Slipper. The John O’Shea-trained filly won the Magicnight at Rosehill and it was given a soft trial on August 9 to prepare for this. McDonald reunites with it so expect a good run at odds of $4.80.
Race 5 tip: Omei Sword to win ($2.80) at Sportsbet.com.au
Race 6 – Show County Quality (1200m)
Le Romain is fresh up for Kris Lees following a seventh in the Rosehill Guineas behind Tarzino. The four-year-old gelding won the Group 1 Randwick Guineas in its start prior and running fresh up has never been a problem for the son of Hard Spun. Its trial form has been solid leading into this, but running 1200m fresh won’t be easy and it’s best to wait for a more suitable target. It opened at $4 and has drifted out to $4.40.
Also fresh up is Vashka which has had five starts for one win and three placings. The John O’Shea-trained gelding won back-to-back races to end its previous campaign which included the Moonga Stakes where it defeated subsequent group one winner Under The Louvre. It’s a professional winner having won eight from 16 starts so respect here at $4.60.
Last start winner Tycoon Tara was too good for them in the Missile Stakes under new trainers Peter and Paul Snowden. The six-year-old turned around moderate form in Melbourne by winning impressively at Randwick last start and it could go back-to-back. It has been well supported at $5 in the betting which suggests another good run is expected.
Race 6 tip: Vashka to win ($4.60) at WilliamHill.com.au
Race 7 – Warwick Stakes (1400m)
Winx should have a stranglehold on this race and bookmakers have trimmed its price into only $1.40. The Chris Waller-trained champion is fresh up after winning the Doncaster Handicap by two lengths, but it has had bone chip removal surgery since then. That shouldn’t be an issue here and this race looks to be a given for the five-year-old.
Lucia Valentina is on the path towards the Cox Plate and might find the 1400m short of its best. The Kris Lees-trained mare won the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth at its most recent start and it would dearly love the track conditions to deteriorate. Lees believes punters are better off waiting for later this spring and we suggest the same. $6 is too short, but the $1.70 for the place (pays two places only) isn’t the worst option.
Rebel Dane was upset last start by Tycoon Tara in the Missile Stakes, but it does have solid second up form. The Gary Portelli-trained horse is a three-time winner on a slow track and with fitness under its belt, it could produce a better performance in this. Berry sticks with it here and it’s currently an $8 chance.
Race 7 tip: Winx to win ($1.40) at CrownBet.com.au
Race 8 – Forum Group Toy Show Quality (1300m)
Dixie Blossoms has had five starts for Ron Quinton for two wins and two placings. The four-year-old mare finished second in the Keith Nolan Stakes behind Single Gaze last start and it stays down in the weights at 54kg for this. It won its only start fresh up and it should be finishing strongly down the outside. $4.40 chance in a wide open race.
Pioneering has rattled off three consecutive wins and it arrives here on the minimum weight. The four-year-old for Chris Waller handles all track conditions and it has been showing great heart to win its last two when carrying big weights. Tommy Berry takes the ride at 54kg which looks ideal. Equal favourite at $4.40.
Heavens Above will be looking for the mile, but it has placed in both fresh up runs and its effort for second in the Queen Of The Turf was quality. The Tim Martin-trained mare hasn’t finished worse than third in four starts at Randwick and it looks a solid each way hope at $8.50.
Race 8 tip: Dixie Blossoms to win ($4.40) at Bet365.com.au
Race 9 – Sydney Markets Foundation R85 Handicap (1000m)
Haptic has been well supported in the win market. The John O’Shea-trained gelding opened at $3.20 and is currently at $3 following a last start placing in the Blue Sapphire Stakes at Caulfield. It has good fresh up form and both career wins have come on this track. The Lonhro Stakes winner has finished first and second in two trials to prepare and a big effort here is expected.
Southern Legend couldn’t have been more impressive last campaign. The Les Bridge-trained gelding won all three starts which included the Darby Munro at Rosehill. It races much better when it’s on the speed so expect Tim Clark to push it from barrier 13 and head across the field. $3.60 is a touch short for the risk it proposes, but respect its quality.
Rose Of Man drops down in weight after running second at Rosehill and while this is a much harder race, it could provide some place value. The Terry Robinson-trained mare is rarely off the mark, but its last win came in a Highway Handicap and the $3.30 for the place seems the best betting option.
Race 9 tip: Haptic to win ($3) at CrownBet.com.au