Midweek racing comes to us from Sandown in Melbourne and Warwick Farm in Sydney with a couple of decent betting races on offer. Our regular horse racing expert Tim is being given a freshen up for a week, with The Maverick filling in to give us his best bets for the Wednesday January 16th racing meets.
Sandown Racing Tips
Looking to Race 4 and Cincinnati Red looks to have found a good race to breakthrough for a second career victory. Being a non-winner is concerning, with just one win from 12 starts, but 8 of those starts have been in the placings, so I’m happy to back this consistent mare to give a good showing. Has been back in the field in last two stars, but I’m hoping Red will jump better from barrier 1 to be more forward in the run in a race that doesn’t have a lot of speed. The threat will come from Jenkins who is looking for a hat-trick of wins.
Two standouts in Race 7 and not a lot of depth makes for a possible quinella play with the two favourites. On paper, the combination of Craig Williams and James Cummings makes Tin Hat an appealing prospect. Won last start at Sandown leading all the way and although drawn in barrier 10, there doesn’t seem to be much speed inside, so he should be able to get across quite comfortably. The question will be whether the favourite in the race, Gold Mag, will kick up from barrier 1. Has raced in better than this previously and resumes here. Will be the main threat to our top pick and I can see these two battling it out in the straight. If Tin Hat can get the rail then I’ll back him to hold on.
Warwick Farm Racing Tips
Happy to put some hard-earned on Royal Witness in Race 5 at Warwick Farm. It was a tough win first up, and he could do the same again over 1000m where he has two wins and a second from four career starts at the distance. Defeated November Man in a close finish last start and is up in weight here, but November Man is a non-winner with only one success from 12 starts, so I’m happy to stick with Royal Witness to improve again second up here. Will look to jump well from a middle barrier and take up a forward position. Led last start but can take a sit and should be strong to the finish.
To bring us home, we’re going with a two-horse value play in the last at Warwick Farm with both horses expected to be up on the speed and giving a good sight. Great Job is the top weight but has a good record with 5 wins and 2 placings from 10 career starts. Likes to lead and has drawn barrier 1 here, so should have everything in his favour at good odds. Will be fitter second up so hopefully he can run out the small rise in distance. The other possible leader is the bottom weight Sazavee out of Waterhouse and Bott. Broke through for a maiden victory last start on her ninth attempt and although that strike rate isn’t impressive, she has finished in the placings in 6 other starts. Will have to scoot across from barrier 12 but I don’t see that being a problem, and with just 54kgs on her back she’ll be right in the mix. With the favourites underwhelming and settling back in the pack in a big field, I’m hoping one of these two can pinch it from up front. The money has come today or Botti who looks the main danger.
Two-horse play with Sazavee $14
