Australian racing tips – Wednesday 21 August 2024 – Warwick Farm

Race 4

BONITA QUEEN won over 1100M three runs back, finished third in her penultimate start over 1300M and then second in her latest outing back over 1100M, one and a half lengths behind the winner, when returning from a 22-week rest. She did however overrace in the early stages that day, striking the front at the top of the home straight, only to run out of it late. She gets gate six and will be hoping to chalk up her second career win here.

LOVERO raced three wide without cover and had to be eased at the 50M mark when finishing seventh last time out over 1100M, 3.3L behind the winner. She returns from a 16-week rest, but did win her only barrier trial to showcase her well-being. From her handy draw three, she should be right up there when they hit the line.

RAGGA RAGGA was returning from a longer 19-week break when going from jump to wire to win her latest outing over 1100M by a length. She has a wideish gate eight, but she is likely to attempt similar front-running tactics today.

Race 5

YORKSHIRE has only had three runs to date, winning two and finishing third in the other, so he clearly has some ability, his latest victory coming over 1300M when he put 3.3L between himself and the opposition. The gelding showed plenty of toe that day and from gate five, he could be hard to reel in over the closing stages and is made the best bet on the day’s card.

HOUSE OF CARDS was returning from a 28-week spell and came four wide into the home straight. but kicked clear at the 250M pole to win going away. The gelding has pulled a useful draw two and could be the biggest danger to the top pick.

VIVY AIR is a 4-year-old filly taking on the boys, but she has finished closer to the winner in each of her last three starts, the latest when third over 1200M, just under a length and a half behind the winner. She was having her first run for her new trainer and returning from a 16-week rest in that event and although stuck out wide in gate thirteen, she should be involved in the finish.

Race 6

The day’s value bet, CUSTO led them a merry dance when going from gun to tape to win his last start over 1100M by two and a half lengths. The gelding gets a cosy draw two and will be having his peak run after returning from a 21-week break and will be looking for a quick double.

MAFIA has won two of his last three starts and jumped awkwardly, but recovered quickly to take up the lead and then fought off all the late challengers in the dash down to the wire to win his last start over 1000M by 4.8L. The gelding has pulled gate six and will have 2kgs taken off his back thanks to his claiming apprentice.

SPLIT DECISION is a 4-year-old filly taking on males, but she followed up her penultimate run victory over 1000M with a disappointing eleventh-place finish next time out over the same sprint trip, just under ten lengths adrift of the victor and was immediately rested for 18 weeks. She returns here after having had two barrier trials, finishing second in the first and fourth in the latest. The filly is drawn one inside the latter and gets the services of non-claiming apprentice, Zac Lloyd, son of ex-SA champion jockey, Jeff Lloyd to aid her cause and will be hoping to bounce back to winning ways here.

Race 7

INFLUENTIAL put his disappointing penultimate start over 1500M in heavy going behind him when finishing second next time out over 1600M, just under a half-length back from the winner, this despite jumping awkwardly bumping another runner and then coming three wide into the home stretch. The gelding has his peak run after returning from a 28-week break and jumps from a handy draw two. In addition, he will have champion jockey James McDonald in the irons and could provide him with his second winner in the day’s Jackpot, should the top pick win the first leg.

CAMPALDINO goes for his hat-trick after two victories in New Zealand, the first over 1700M and the latest over 2200M by 0.8L. He has his first run in Australia for his new trainer and after an 11-week rest, but had the benefit of two barrier trials. If fully settled into his new surroundings, he should give a good account of himself here, notwithstanding a wide gate twelve.

ALL IN THE MIND won his penultimate start over 1500M and then had to be held up approaching the home turn and never really got back into the race, ending up in tenth spot last time out over 1600M, five and a half lengths off the winner, so that effort should be ignored. The gelding is drawn one outside the latter and will have Zac Lloyd in the irons who should be able to use his early gate speed to move across without expending too much energy.