Winning Form share all of their best bets and tips for Wednesday’s racing coming your way from Warwick Farm on 20 December 2023.
Best Bet: SHAKEN (Race 6)
Value Bet: HAROLD THE GREAT (Race 5)
Jackpot (race 4 – 7)
1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th |
8 | 10 | 9 | 5 |
7 | 4 | 2 | 11 |
2 | 6 |
| 2 |
Cost: R54.00
Race 4
STORM THE RAMPARTS has cracked pole position and has consistent formlines to his name, with his last three runs yielding a win and two second-place finishes, the latest over six furlongs, 1.3L behind the winner. He had to be eased off the heels of another runner at the 800M mark, came four wide into the home straight, before staying on well over the closing stages. The gelding should turn in another honest performance today.
GLOBAL EMPIRE is the stable companion to the top choice and followed up his penultimate run victory over 1100M with a second-place finish next time out over five furlongs, 0.8L back from the winner, when returning from a 14-week rest. He was however bumped at the 300M mark and then came five wide into the home straight and whilst facing a wide draw nine, he should be doing his best work late and makes a solid back-up for the yard.
LAVISH EMPIRE has finished closer to the winner in each of his last three starts, the latest when third over six furlongs, just over a half-length behind the winner, but he was bumped at the start before coming three wide into the home stretch and then hanging in over the latter stages. The gelding has finished second in a subsequent barrier trial and although drawn one outside the latter, he will have 2kgs taken off his back thanks to his claiming apprentice.
Race 5
The day’s value bet, HAROLD THE GREAT has finished fourth in his last three outings, the latest over twelve furlongs, 2.3L back from the winner, but he had to be held up at the top of the home straight that day and only saw daylight at the 150M pole. He finished off his race well, despite hanging out over the final 250M. The gelding jumps from a handy draw four and will be hoping to secure his second career victory here.
A 4-year-old filly and a 7-year-old mare could chase him home, with the slight preference going to CALIFORNIA GRASS, who has posted two solid last runs, the latest when fourth over ten furlongs, 1.3L off the winner. She jumped awkwardly on that occasion but finished strongly from some way back and the form of that race has been franked. She faces a wide gate thirteen, be she will have ex-SA jockey Keagan Latham in the irons, so will get all the necessary assistance from the saddle.
LOVING CILLA came four wide into the home straight, but then made good late progress to wind up in second place last time out over twelve furlongs, 1.8L behind the victor. She will have to negotiate a wide draw twelve, but she should use her early gate speed to move across without expending too much energy.
Race 6
SHAKEN has only had three runs, winning her penultimate outing over five furlongs and then finishing third last time out over 1100M, just over three lengths adrift of the victor, but she was reported to have bled that day and was suspended for the mandatorily three months. She returns here after winning both of her barrier trials and her top trainer is obviously happy with her recovery. From draw six, she could prove hard to topple and as such, she is taken to be the best bet on the day’s card.
EUROS is seldom far off the action, finishing fourth last time out over 1100M, 0.8L back from the winner, but it should be noted that she jumped awkwardly in that contest, bumping another runner, overraced in the middle stages, resulting in her having to be eased off the heels of another runner at the 600M mark and then finally, hung out on the home turn, so she had plenty of excuses. She is drawn one inside the top pick and will be having her peak run after returning from an 18-week absence.
POWER BALLARD also won her penultimate start, but in her case over 1100M and then finished eighth next time out over the same C&D, just under three lengths behind the winner. She showed plenty of toe in that event and notwithstanding a wide gate nine, she should be involved in the finish, what with her having her peak run after a 23-week spell.
Race 7
TUMBLING has won two of his last three outings, the latest over six furlongs by one and a half lengths, this after coming three wide into the home stretch and returning from a 33-week spell. The gelding has pulled draw six and could be the one that they all have to beat.
TANNENBURG has only had two runs to date, finishing third on debut over 1100M and then showing the expected improvement to win next time out over six furlongs, albeit by just a head. He delivered a powerful finish over the closing stages and the form of that race has stood up well with two runners out of that contest subsequently winning. That victory was made even more encouraging as the gelding lost a shoe in running that day. From his useful draw four, he should be right up there when they hit the line.
Although COOL JAKEY is recorded as finishing fifth last time out over six furlongs, he was just 2.3L behind the winner. He was returning from a 33-week break that day and having his first run for his new trainer, jumping awkwardly and being bumped shortly after the start. He then found traffic problems in the home stretch which harmed his chances. The gelding has a cozy gate two and should be included in all bets.
