Warrnambool races on Thursday with eight races on a Good 4. The first four are maidens and the rest are BM62 handicaps, so it’s a typical country card where early speed and gear changes are worth watching.
Villa Grande in Race 1 is our strongest bet of the day. King West in Race 6 and Ziggy Bama in the last are next best. Ataegina in Race 5 and Both Sides Now in Race 7 are our each-way plays at a price.
Race 1 - Jericho Cup Packages Available Maiden Plate (1000m)
Selection: Villa Grande Current odds: $2.50
This is our best bet of the day. Villa Grande was just beaten here on debut when well backed, and with that run behind him he should go forward early from the wide gate. Zercardy resumes after 27 weeks without blinkers for the first time and ran a good fresh race at Ararat last preparation. Acharnee drops back from Pakenham and should settle handy. Niccotein is a debutant from a good stable.
Selections:
- Villa Grande - $2.50
- Zercardy - $2.90
- Acharnee - $4.80
- Niccotein - $7.50
Race 2 - May Racing Carnival Now On Sale Maiden Plate (1300m)
Selection: Semper Augustus Current odds: $3.90
Semper Augustus ran second on heavy ground here on debut and should improve with that run behind him. Prestige Erick ran on for fourth at Kilmore and has the speed to overcome the outside barrier. He is the main danger. Almorina is a first starter for Symon Wilde, so watch the market. Ocean Surge can improve on a disappointing run at Kilmore and is a long price.
Selections:
- Semper Augustus - $3.90
- Prestige Erick - $5.00
- Almorina - $14.00
- Ocean Surge - $14.00
Race 3 - Your Xmas Party At The Bool Maiden Plate (1700m)
Selection: Who I Think I Am Current odds: $4.20
Who I Think I Am has placed three times in five runs this preparation for Ciaron Maher, most recently a one-length second at Tatura. He has the speed to get a good spot. Cowboykickedfive has placed four times this preparation and has winkers on for the first time. Paramount War can improve on his first-up seventh at Ballarat, and Girl With A Pearl is also fitter for her first-up run.
Selections:
- Who I Think I Am - $4.20
- Cowboykickedfive - $7.00
- Paramount War - $5.50
- Girl With A Pearl - $3.70
Race 4 - Matko Hire Maiden Plate (2000m)
Selection: Mack The Knife Current odds: $2.15
Mack The Knife ran seventh on debut at Ballarat, but he is from a strong stable, backs up six days later and should be suited by the extra distance. Winter Arc ran third on soft ground at Geelong and races without blinkers for the first time. He is the main danger and the better each-way price. Endless Fury placed here last time and should be fitter.
Selections:
- Mack The Knife - $2.15
- Winter Arc - $5.00
- Endless Fury - $3.40
- Heidi High - $26.00
Race 5 - The Midfield Group BM62 Handicap (1400m)
Selection: Ataegina Current odds: $7.50
Ataegina backs up a week after a third at Kyneton. Blinkers go on for the first time and she has drawn barrier 2, so she should get a soft run. At $7.50 she is our each-way play. High Falls is the favourite after winning on soft ground at Hamilton, but this is his second start and a tougher race. Belcony led and ran third at Geelong. Diamond Eye returns from a short let-up.
Selections:
- Ataegina - $7.50
- High Falls - $3.40
- Belcony - $4.20
- Diamond Eye - $5.00
Race 6 - Cassign BM62 Handicap (1200m)
Selection: King West Current odds: $3.70
King West was beaten a length at Pakenham last start and meets weaker opposition here. He has won over this trip before, at Moe. Icy Pole resumes after 17 weeks, won first-up last preparation at Stawell and is the danger. Helluva Barty has drawn the rail and is a good each-way chance. Singles Moment comes from a good stable.
Selections:
- King West - $3.70
- Icy Pole - $4.60
- Helluva Barty - $8.00
- Singles Moment - $7.50
Race 7 - Sungold Milk BM62 Handicap (1700m)
Selection: Both Sides Now Current odds: $9.00
Both Sides Now has an excellent record at Warrnambool, so we will forgive her seventh here last start. She should go forward with Dean Yendall riding. At $9.00 she is an each-way bet. Cute Girl backs up quickly, has won two of six this campaign and is the one to beat. Just My Lot was only just beaten here last time and is the favourite. Tishman resumes and won fresh last preparation at Sale.
Selections:
- Both Sides Now - $9.00
- Cute Girl - $5.00
- Just My Lot - $3.90
- Tishman - $7.00
Race 8 - TAB BM62 Handicap (1000m)
Selection: Ziggy Bama Current odds: $4.00
Ziggy Bama won here last start and has placed in all three runs this campaign for Lindsey Smith. He looks the right horse to finish the day. Nordic Strike was beaten here last time as favourite but should be on the speed. Midnight Devil ran on for third at Pakenham and has an apprentice’s weight claim. Kid Dynamite won fresh last preparation and will be finishing hard.
Selections:
- Ziggy Bama - $4.00
- Nordic Strike - $7.50
- Midnight Devil - $7.00
- Kid Dynamite - $7.00
