Australian Racing: Wednesday 30 June 2021 – Warwick Farm

Best Bet: PEEKAYS LEGACY (Race 4)

Value Bet: HIBISCUS LADY (Race 6)

Jackpot (race 4 – 7)

Cost: R54.00

Race 4

The day’s best bet, PEEKAYS LEGACY has his hat-trick run after wins over a mile and the latest over nine furlongs by a length, this despite being bumped down at the start and finding himself at the back of the field. He finished strongly to mow down the frontrunners and the form of that race has been franked. He will have to negotiate gate seven, but he may prove difficult to topple in this line-up.

DUCHESS ADELE is a 4yr old filly taking on the boys, but she has finished second in her last two runs, the latest over this c&d, 0.8L back from the winner. She spread an off-hand plate during the running of that race and from draw five, she could emerge as the biggest danger to the top choice.

TIME RAID made a solid improvement to finish third last time out over nine furlongs, just a half-length behind the winner. He jumped awkwardly that day but recovered well to lead the field, only to be collared close to home. He has a cracked pole position and will have 2kgs taken off his back thanks to his claiming apprentice. In addition, he will have the cheekpieces fitted for the first time and if these have the desired effect, he should be involved in the finish.

Race 5

BRIARS KINGDOM goes for his hat-trick after victories over six furlongs and the latest over this trip by ahead. He only saw daylight at the 300M mark that day, but then finished well to run down the frontrunner close to the line. He faces a wideish draw nine, but he should be doing his best work late.

DAPHNE JEAN is a 4yr old filly taking on males, but she followed up her penultimate outing victory over 1100M with a third spot finish next time out over this c&d, just a neck back from the winner, despite having to be switched at the 250M pole. She faces an even wider gate eleven, but she should nevertheless give the boys a good run for their money.

DERBARI was bumped at the start and then come three-wide into the home straight before ending up in third place last time out over the c&d, just under a half-length adrift of the winner. He gets gate seven and will have the blinkers re-fitted for today’s outing.

Race 6

HIBISCUS LADY has finished closer to the winner in her last three outings, the latest when second over 1100M, just a short-head behind the victor. She had to be steadied at the 1000M mark that day but then battled all the way down to the wire, only to be denied victory in the shadow of the post. She gets a handy gate two and has her peak run after returning from an 18-week break. In addition, she will have 2kgs removed from her allocated weight courtesy of her claiming apprentice. As such, she is taken to be the value bet on the day’s program.

VAN GIZ won her penultimate start over 1300M and then finished second next time out over six furlongs, just ahead back from the winner. She jumped awkwardly that day and then did not get the clearest of passages in the home straight, only seeing daylight at the 150M mark. She will have to overcome a wide draw ten, but she should be right up there in the firing line.

MISS DIOR completed her hat-trick and then finished sixth last time out over the c&d, four lengths behind the winner, and was immediately rested for 27 weeks. She returns here after having had two barrier trials, finishing second in both of them to prove her fitness. She has an even wider gate twelve, but nonetheless should still be included in all bets.

Race 7

A 5yr old mare and two 4yr old fillies could fight out the finish to this race and complete the trifecta, but PROMISE OF SUCCESS could prove to be the one that they all have to beat. She put a disappointing penultimate effort firmly behind her when winning her maiden race last time out over this c&d by two lengths when returning from a lengthy 106-week absence. Nothing went her way that day either, coming the widest into the home straight and spreading a near-fore plate during the running of the contest. In addition, her jockey put up 0.5kgs overweight. She has pulled pole position and whilst taking on stronger here, she could well be up to the task at hand.

VAN GIZ has consistent form lines to her credit, winning her penultimate start over 1300M and then finishing second over this c&d next time out, beaten just ahead. She jumped awkwardly that day and only secured a clear run at the 150M marl, so can be considered an unlucky loser. She jumps from gate seven and has the services of ex-SA jockey Brandon Lerena, so will get all the necessary assistance from the saddle.

BRAZEN GEM is drawn one outside the latter and missed out on her hat-trick when ending up in fifth place last time out over six furlongs, 1.7L adrift of the winner when returning from a 16 week rest. She was vetted before the start that day and then became unbalanced at the 350M mark. She should not be easily overlooked in this line-up.