Welcome to our preview and horse racing betting tips for the best betting races at Warwick Farm, Sandown Lakeside and Ascot on Wednesday, February 14th.
We’ve taken a look at all three cards and selected the races we’re keenest to bet into, and you can find our tips and comments on each of those below.
WARWICK FARM RACING TIPS
RACE 1
Open race with five horses on debut. Interested in (1) Adana, who is one of two Chris Waller-trained horses to be ridden by Kerrin McEvoy today. Waller and McEvoy have been lighting up Sydney in recent weeks. The horse has had three trials leading into debut today, and hasn’t been pressured in his last two. The form out of his most recent trials has stood up through the likes of Performer and Zousain, so an each way bet at the $6.50 looks a nice play. (3) Dio D’Oro gets blinkers on first time and should go close. (2) Black Haze and (9) Couvre Lit others worth consideration.
TIP: (1) Adana EW
RACE 5
(2) Aquatic is the second of McEvoy’s rides for Waller and finds a nice race to win again today, after breaking through for a comfortable victory at Canterbury last Friday night. Really don’t think there’s much competition here – the closest market rival comes out of a Highway Handicap race. Barrier 2, on the five day back-up, should prove hard to beat at the short odds again. Locking in $2.
TIP: (2) Aquatic
RACE 8
This is the best race on a very uninspiring card. (10) Mahalangur comes up favourite here, but I’m hesitant to back him at the $3 quote given I backed him first up when he could only manage running 4th. He was first up over 1200m with just one trial under the belt on that occasion, so second up over 1400m today will suit him significantly better, but it’s a competitive race. (7) Witches has come back in great order this prep. Should have won her first two starts but for a luckless run second up, and was beaten less than a length when coming from last at Rosehill last time out. Can sit closer from a better barrier here and I think the form out of that race will prove relatively good. The horse that ran 3rd in that race came out and won its next start at Canterbury on Friday night, so there’s already signs of it holding up. (1) Ghostly carries a big weight here but beat the in-form Star Of Monsoon last start, and ran 3rd to Sugar Bella before that (Aquatic ran 2nd). Expecting him to be competitive once again here despite carrying 59.5kg. (3) Reiby Rampart looks the big value in the race at $19. She didn’t do anything first up but she never does – she’s never placed from four first up runs. But her second up record is two starts for a win and a 2nd placing, so we could see sharp improvement today. She draws well and interestingly, Glyn Schofield jumps off Ghostly to ride Reiby Rampart. There could be another reason for that, but given he’s ridden Ghostly in his past two runs, it’s notable that he rides this mare instead today. Definitely having something on at the odds. The way the market is shaped, I probably have to take on Mahalangur here – but it won’t surprise me if he wins. Backing Witches ($4.60), Ghostly ($4) and Reiby Rampart ($19).
TIP: Witches / Ghostly / Reiby Rampart
SANDOWN LAKESIDE TIPS
RACE 1
Sticking with the Lindsay Park-trained (3) Gheedaa here, who was solid on debut when working home well behind Al Naifa, who started $6.50 in the Blue Diamond Fillies Prelude. Mark Zahra takes over from Luke Nolen, and the step up to 1200m will help this filly. The biggest query I have is whether she will be able to make up the ground on what’s been a very leaderish Lakeside track, especially with a lack of tempo on paper. $3.60 available, or $4.20 with Ladbrokes enhanced odds (above). Very wary of (8) Yulong Meteor at double figues, who is on debut and hasn’t been seen publicly.
TIP: (3) Gheedaa
RACE 6
Competitive race. Interested in (10) Bowerman who resumes here as a gelding. Has always shown promise but has so far only managed a Bendigo maiden win. First up over 1200m suggests to me he should be fairly forward for this race, and his racing style will be beneficial. Expect him to roll forward and possibly lead, and if he does that he should give a bold sight as that’s the place to be on this track. Fred Kersley is booked to ride and takes 2kg off, and at $8 he looks a reasonable each way bet. (5) Sir Kalahad won on debut despite doing plenty wrong, and he pulled up with a breathing issue too. That’s some concern, but he went back to the trials and was impressive. The horse he beat in the trial is a good horse. From barrier 10 here he’ll roll forward to possibly sit outside leader. Does go up in weight but can be competitive at $12. Open race with plenty of chances though.
TIP: (10) Bowerman EW / (5) Sir Kalahad EW
RACE 7
(12) Our Chiquilla was a tough one to watch last start when held up badly early in the straight before motoring home once clear to be beaten a nostril on the line. Will likely be ridden similarly today and will have ground to make up but the horse is rock hard fit and flying. Giving her another chance at $3.10. (5) Giddyup does her best racing when she’s got a few runs under the belt, and she was only beaten 2L after leading last start. With three runs under the belt now, she should be ready to peak and if she leads as expected again today, she could be tough to run down on the Lakeside course at good odds. Currently $14 and won’t shock me to see her start shorter.
TIP: (12) Our Chiquilla / (5) Giddyup EW
ASCOT RACING TIPS
RACE 4
(9) Kamiko has only won the one race from 13 starts but she went very close over track and distance two starts ago before being murdered by Pike last start. She was caught three-wide the trip on speed and fought on the finish 4th, but she won’t have that issue from barrier 1 today. Chris Parnham is a notable jockey booking – and when Pike is suspended he’s the one to follow over in WA. She finds a nice race today and gets things in her favour, so happy to take $4.80. (1) Atacama Sky looks the only danger first up with a good record at this track and distance for the in-form Simon Miller stable.
TIP: (9) Kamiko
RACE 9
Been waiting a while for (8) Snow Blossom to come to town after a string of impressive wins down in Bunbury. She has been finding trouble with her racing pattern but her turn of foot is goo enough to get her out of trouble. She should get a nice run from barrier 3 and with the cutaway rail in play she should get clear running in the straight. If she does, she’s plenty good enough to win this. She’ll start shorter than the $2.60 that’s currently on offer.
TIP: (8) Snow Blossom
