Warwick Farm will play host to this week’s midweek metropolitan race meeting, with eight races to be run and won as punters count down to the $20 million The Everest at Randwick on Saturday.
The rail will be out 3m and the track is currently rated a soft 7.
Rebecca Hill details her selections below.
There was a lot to like about the trial of Icarian Dream and the Bull Point filly looked to have plenty in hand as she cruised through the line to take out the 850m heat.
Slightly slow away she was able to muster good early speed and when given a squeeze in the straight, she let down strongly without being shown the persuader.
She looks ready to go and Tim Clark will take the reins for Ciaron Maher.
Bengal resumes and has been gelded since his last raceday appearance.
The son of Zoustar did a few things wrong at his first two starts and was subsequently sent to the paddock.
He resumed over 1200m at Canterbury but was found to have pulled up with a slow recovery rate and lost a shoe in running.
With two pleasing trial performances, he looks to have come back in top order.
The way he worked through the line in a recent 900m heat suggests the 1400m first up will suit and James McDonald will take the mount for Chris Waller.
Alinea resumes.
The Written Tycoon filly has just had the three starts and has shown good natural talent.
She made her debut in the Gimcrack Stakes, where she had no luck in running but finished off strongly behind dual Group one winner Manaal and she then tackled the Widden Stakes but didn’t finish off.
She was overrun late when leading at her lone outing last prep but looks to have returned in good order off two very pleasing trials.
Tim Clarke was onboard in her latest trial and he’s sure to afford her every chance from the low draw.
Newfoundland comes off a dominant last start win over 2400m at Rosehill and the Watehouse / Bott trained import looks well placed to repeat that performance.
The former European galloper just had the one Australian start late last year before being sent to the paddock and he resumed with a very encouraging effort over 1900m at Canterbury.
Relishing the rise in trip second up, he kicked away over the final part to win comfortably.
He does have to carry an extra 2.5kgs but he strips fitter and from gate two he’s set to enjoy a cosy run in transit under Tim Clark.
Confess Our Dreams has performed very well in two runs back this campaign and will appreciate the drop back in grade.
Resuming in a BM78 at Randwick, she took up the running and was only collared over the final stages but did hold a 2.6 length margin back to the rest.
Last time she was again taken to the lead but off the wide gate had to work hard early and was just found wanting over the final 50m.
The form around her is solid and she should find this a touch easier.
The only slight concern is the 61kgs but she’s drawn to get a soft run and presents at peak fitness.
Raikoke comes off a solid second up effort over 1200m at Randwick where he was just run down late by the well supported Moravia.
Only lightly raced, the son of Written Tycoon made a flying start to his career, recording a dominant win on the Lakeside before stepping straight into black type level, where he proved superior in the Group 3 Zedative Stakes.
He failed to fire when making his return at Moonee Valley but was found to be lame upon post-race vet exam and bounced back with a solid effort last time.
That was a BM88, he drops back sharply in grade here and gets in nicely with the 3kg claim for Ben Osmond.
Tavi Time was doing his best work late when resuming over 1400m at Rosehill and he’ll relish stepping out to the mile here.
Settling back in the second half of the field, he was weaving his way through runners in the straight and hit the line strongly over the final part.
The Tavistock gelding boasts a terrific second up record with two wins and a second placing from three outings and he has won three from four over the mile.
Back to midweek level and the inside draw can see him settle just in behind the leader and pounce late.
Dazzle Legend was solid when resuming at Rosehill but he will have taken good improvement from the outing.
He just wanted to race a bit keen through the middle stages and was then held up in the early part of the straight but finished off nicely over the 1200m journey.
He does race particularly well second up and the rise to 1400m will certainly suit.
Only lightly raced, he’s an improving type and can certainly figure here.
Kerrin McEvoy guided him to victory last preparation and he goes back aboard for Chris Waller.
Best Bet – Race 4 No. 3 Newfoundland
Next Best – Race 7 No. 1 Tavi Time
Value Bet – Race 8 No. 4 Dazzle Legend