The Saturday ATC meeting will be held at Warwick Farm this week. The track was rated a Slow 6 on Thursday and with mostly sunny weather for the next few days, Warwick Farm should be racing on a Dead surface on Saturday.
Caulfield was rated a Dead 5 on Thursday. A few showers forecast for Melbourne in the next two days so I expect Caulfield will remain in the Dead range on raceday.
In the opening race at Rosehill (Sydney Race 1, 1400m), it’s a race between the two youngsters from the two top stables. Pitcrew from the Waterhouse yard remains unbeaten winning two from two. His last start victory over the Waller-trained Amovatio at this track & distance was quite strong. Pitcrew dug deep to hold Amovatio in the last 200m and won by 1.3 lengths. There is a 1kg turnaround weight advantage to Amovatio on Saturday but I believe that is not quite enough to turn the table on Pitcrew. On weight and measure, Pitcrew should emerge as the winner for the opening event.
In the Share Care Mile BM82 (Sydney Race 3, 1600m), Chris Waller can continue his winning way with the top weight, Titbit. The 6YO has been racing consistently this preparation winning once and placing twice in the past 3 starts. 5th up over the mile is ideal and Bowman will hold the rein after his holiday in Ireland. And Titbit loves the Dead track with all bar one of her career victories were on Dead surface. Currently at $4.80 fixed odds, that’s good odds on a strong chance in this race.
After combining to win three races last Saturday, Rawiller and Waller are set to continue thier winning partnership in the Mitsubishi Mirage Mile BM73 with Clever Boy (Sydney Race 4, 1600m). The 3YO gelding has been in tremendous form winning both starts this preparation. Stepping up to 1600m 3rd up is perfect and from barrier 3, Rawiller will be able to park Clever Boy on the fence behind the leading bunch and make his run rounding the home turn. At $9.00 fixed odds, I believe Clever Boy is over the odds, and he represents a good value bet.
In the last race of the meeting (Sydney Race 8, 1200m), I like the Joe Pride-trained Upshot. The Heavy tracks Upshot has been racing on in his last few starts had dull his acceleration somewhat. Back to a dryer track on Saturday will certainly suit the gelding better. He has a good record over 1200m having won or placed 6 times from 7 starts. From barrier 12 in a race with a number of backmarkers, I believe Bowman will push Upshot forward and settle about 6th one off the fence. Upshot looks good in giving Bowman another winner for his come back meeting.
By Owens Wong, Editor
