Warwick Farm hosts a compact seven-race meeting on Wednesday, with Saturday’s Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes Day at Royal Randwick just around the corner.
Recent showers have left the track rated a Soft 5, and the rail is out three metres.
Read our Warwick Farm Preview below for race-by-race form analysis, betting tips and a closer look at the key runners.
HOROLOGIST (5) returns for Chris Waller, with James McDonald taking the ride.
The Written Tycoon colt showed promise over winter, placing twice at Canterbury on rain-affected tracks. That form has since received some strong endorsements.
He’s impressed in both lead-up trials and looks set for a strong first-up run over 1300m. From barrier three, he should settle just behind the pace and be well placed to finish strongly.
| 5. Horologist (3)SCRATCHED: | |||
OUR EMPEROR (2) made an impressive debut here in May, winning over 1100m by 3.6 lengths and relishing the wet conditions.
He’s had wide draws to contend with in two Group-level starts this preparation, finishing back in the field at Rosehill on both occasions. The Waterhouse-Bott colt has a much better barrier this time and should be able to lead.
Dropping in class and stepping up in distance, he looks capable of making a strong showing third-up.
| 2. Our Emperor (3)SCRATCHED: | |||
ZONKSTAR (3) is a promising four-year-old making his fourth start for Matthew Smith.
The American Pharoah gelding has won two of his three starts, most recently scoring comfortably over a slightly shorter trip at Canberra. He was held up in the straight and could arguably have won by an even bigger margin.
He stepped up sharply in distance after racing over 1400m at Illawarra Grange, so there may be further improvement to come. With a jockey change and a low draw, he should get every chance to settle in the box seat.
| 3. Zonkstar (2) 57.5kg161 |
BRUCE I AM (11) has drawn another favourable inside gate, with Chad Schofield aboard.
The Star Turn four-year-old hit the line strongly to finish second here first-up a few weeks ago, charging from midfield to finish just over a length behind Fuadee.
He won his maiden over 1000m at Wyong in April, so the slight drop in distance looks suitable. He carries just 0.5kg more than last start and should be competitive again.
| 11. Bruce I Am (2) 56.5kg124×2 |
AMREEKIYAH (7) will need a little luck to cross from the wide draw early.
Peter Snowden’s mare returns from a four-month spell after a sound run at Saturday grade over a mile, finishing just 1.6 lengths from the winner in a strong fillies-and-mares race.
The Justify mare has won two of her three first-up starts and showed good late speed in a recent Rosehill trial. Chad Schofield knows her well, and any give in the track would be a plus.
| 7. Amreekiyah (8) 57kg2735x |
SUPERFABULISTC (2) is hard to fault, with Rachel King retaining the ride.
She was narrowly beaten first-up over 1400m on the Kensington track, setting the pace before tiring late and finishing second to Alabama Fox.
King partnered her to back-to-back wins at Warwick Farm to close out her winter campaign. The Super Seth mare carries 1.5kg more this time, but only needs to improve slightly on her fresh run to be a major chance over her preferred trip.
| 2. Superfabulistic (5) 60.5kg211×2 |
BENEATH THE ROCK (8) has a wide draw to overcome but still looks one of the leading chances as she bids for a hat-trick.
Kris Lees’ mare resumed over 1200m at Newcastle earlier this month, settling just behind the pace before making her move around the turn. She powered clear in the straight to win by three lengths, showing a turn of foot similar to her Warwick Farm maiden win in early June.
James McDonald takes the ride, and if he can find cover early, she’ll be hard to hold out.
| 8. Beneath The Rock (11) 58kg31×1 |