Australian Racing Tips – Wednesday 17 May 2023 – Warwick Farm

Best Bet: AIR TO AIR (Race 6)
Value Bet: GROWL (Race 7)

Jackpot (race 4 – 7)

Cost: R90.00

Race 4

CEASEFIRE had finished second twice prior to ending up in seventh place last time out over 1500M, just under three and a half lengths behind the winner, but he was crowded shortly after the start that day and shifted out from the 50M mark. The form of that race has however stood up well with two runners out of that contest subsequently winning and from draw seven, he looks to be the one to side with here.

Although DAMAGED is recorded as finishing fourth last time out over six furlongs, he was just under a half-length back from the winner, this after having to be held up at the 200M mark. He finished off his race well from some way back and from one gate inside the top choice, he should be right up there when they hit the line.

STOLEN JADE is a 6yr old mare taking on the boys, but she has finished closer to the winner in each of her last three starts, the latest when second over six furlongs, 2.3L behind the winner. She jumped awkwardly on that occasion and came four wide approaching the home turn, but made good late progress over the closing stages. She is drawn the widest of them all in gate thirteen, but she has her peak run after returning from an 18-week break and she should be doing her best work late.

Race 5

This looks to be a tricky race with plenty of runners in with a realistic chance of finding the winner’s box, so some caution is suggested. MEDIA STARGUEST put his disappointing penultimate run over ten furlongs behind him when finishing fifth last time out over 1300M, 2.3L off the winner, when returning from a 16-week rest. The gelding came the widest of them all into the home stretch in that event, costing himself valuable ground. He jumps from gate six and could be the one to side with in this line-up.

MOKTAFFY had finished third in his two runs prior to ending up in twelfth place in his latest outing over a mile, four lengths behind the winner, but he was crowded at the 100M pole, so he had his excuses. The gelding has a handy draw three and will be hoping to bounce back to his better form today.

ANYTHINK GOES is drawn one outside the latter and raced wide with cover when finishing tenth last time out over 1500M, ten lengths adrift of the winner, but a repeat of his penultimate effort would see him trouble the top two picks.

Race 6

AIR TO AIR followed up his penultimate run victory over 1150M with a seventh place finish next time out over 1300M, 7.8L back from the winner, but he came the wideset straightening and was reported to have not acted in the heavy going, so that effort is best ignored. She jumps from gate eight and is taken to be the best bet on the day’s card.

AFRICAN DAISY won her penultimate outing over 1500M and then came three wide into the home stretch when ending up in third spot last time out over a mile, two lengths back from the victor. She returns from a 14-week spell but has had the two barrier trials, winning the latest and whilst drawn the widest of them all in gate fourteen, on the plus side, she will get 3kgs taken off her back thanks to her claiming apprentice.

SILENT RAINDROPS also won her penultimate start but, in her case, over six furlongs and then finished second next time out over 1300M, just a head behind the winner. She jumped awkwardly on that occasion and did not get the clearest of passages down the home straight, only seeing daylight at the 300M mark. She has a kinder gate seven and should be involved in the finish.

Race 7

The day’s value bet, GROWL has won two of his last three starts, the latest over six furlongs by 0.8L and was immediately rested for 62 weeks, during which he was gelded. He returns here and has his first run for his new trainer, but he has had the benefit of two barrier trials, finishing third in both. He will have to negotiate draw thirteen, but if fully settled into his new surroundings, he should give a good account of himself here and the fact that his connections have brought him back into racing after such a lengthy absence would seem to suggest that they believe that he still has something more to offer them.

VA VIA is a 3yr old filly taking on males, but she has consistent formlines to her name, finishing third in her latest outing over 1100M, 0.7L behind the winner. She was returning from a 26-week break that day and did jump awkwardly and then had to be held up on the home turn, so she had her excuses. She faces an even wider gate sixteen, but nevertheless, she should turn in another honest performance today.
LAVISH EMPIRE had solid form prior to finishing tenth last time out over six furlongs, 5.7L off the winner, but he did jump awkwardly in that event. He, in turn, is drawn out even wider in gate eighteen, but he does have his peak run after returning from an 11-week rest and should use his early gate speed to move across without expending too much energy.