It is a fantastic afternoon of racing on Wednesday with plenty of quality horse flesh on show at Warwick Farm.
Our full 2022 Australia Day Cup Day Tips & Preview can be found below.
Preview brought to you by Neds. Learn more about Neds HERE.
Race 1: Maiden Plate (1100m) – 1:40pm
Tip: No. 4 Amathuba
The Freedman trained Amathuba has been placed in all three of her starts during her short career so far.
The daughter of Pride Of Dubai is a filly of some ability and she has had two solid hit outs at the trials leading into this first up assignment.
She represents good value at the double figures.
Race 2: Maiden Plate (1400m) – 2:15pm
Tip: No. 11 Soprano
Soprano was excellent when returning to the races after 26 weeks in between runs when she finished second at Newcastle over 1200m.
She followed that up with a seventh at Warwick Farm last start but she had a lot of ground to make up heading around the turn and found the line nicely to be beaten just over three lengths.
The blinkers are going on for the first time and she’ll get a nice run from barrier two.
Race 3: Benchmark 64 Handicap (1600m) – 2:50pm
Tip: No. 5 Decisive Move
The third race of the afternoon at Warwick Farm is a competitive one with many winning chances.
One of those is the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott trained Decisive Move who broke through for her maiden win at her seventh start last time out at this track.
The step up to 1600m will suit, as will the draw in barrier five.
Race 4: Benchmark 72 Handicap (1000m) – 3:25pm
Tip: No. 3 Star Cherie
Four year old mare Star Cherie returned to the races at Rosehill Gardens with a fifth, beaten just over two lengths two weeks ago.
She sat just off the speed and burst through a gap at the 300m but was just found wanting late in the race.
On the plus side, she’ll be fitter for that run and will appreciate the drop back in class.
Race 5: Benchmark 72 Handicap (1400m) – 4:00pm
Tip: No. 3 Molly Nails
Molly Nails has proven a consistent performer during her short racing career so far with three wins from seven starts and she has been unplaced just once.
She was a narrow winner first up at Moruya but they beat home the third horse by almost three lengths.
The $3.00 available at publish is getting skinny in an open field but she will prove tough to beat with even luck.
Race 6: Benchmark 72 Handicap (1400m) – 4:40pm
Tip: No. 1 Off Shaw
Off Shaw is a versatile son of Tobique who is as tough as the day is long.
He has been placed at both 1200m and 2000m in the last year alone and was only narrowly beaten when resuming at this track last start.
He’ll take plenty of benefit from that run and the step up to 1400m is a plus.
Race 7: Listed Australia Day Cup (2400m) – 5:20pm
Tip: No. 2 Parry Sound & No. 10 Barellan Bandit
Parry Sound didn’t have it all his own way as favourite in the Magic Millions Trophy two weeks ago on the Gold Coast when he was bumped at crucial stages in the straight.
He was beaten just over a length and he can bounce back in this event.
I can’t let Barellan Bandit go around at such big odds without having something on.
He is shooting for a hat trick of wins and although this is a considerable step up in class, he’s worth a small each way play.
Race 8: Benchmark 72 Handicap (1200m) – 6:00pm
Tip: Boxed Trifecta 1/4/5/7