Racegoers look set for a winter treat at Warwick Farm on Saturday as they are greeted with firm going and ideal weather where Knead The Dough can continue working through the grades.
Photo by Racing and Sports
Racing in Sydney has almost exclusively been conducted on rain affected going during the first half of winter so a Saturday metropolitan meeting of firm footing certainly possesses appeal.
Something else with similar appeal is Knead The Dough who contests the Share Liverpool Benchmark 79 Handicap (2200m).
The O’Reilly filly has quickly risen through the grades this campaign and lines up here off a career best win at Rosehill last start over 1900m.
Knead The Dough takes on the older horses now but to say her rivals for the most part are limited is a fair statement.
The rise in distance should prove no issue based on her pedigree and how she handled 1900m on heavy going last start is another positive sign.
She sits perfectly on the limit weight and should get a cosy run in transit just behind her main rival, Madam Nash.
The 5kg weight advantage she has over the mare will likely prove telling over the final stages and a third straight success should ensue.
Sacred Flyer is expected to appreciate a class drop and distance rise when lining up in the McGrath Mitsubishi Benchmark 89 Handicap (1600m).
The Chris Waller-trained gelding was not suited resuming off a lengthy spell over 1500m in Heavy ground however fought on well for fifth without threatening.
He took on Open company there where the former New Zealand galloper sat noticeably out of the handicap.
Sacred Flyer now drops in class and carries the same weight against lesser opposition.
The son of High Chaparral has always been a consistent customer having placed in both his second up runs.
Sacred Flyer is a dual winner over the mile and the five-year-olds lone prior visit to Warwick Farm yielded a win.
He will have no doubt taken plenty of benefit from that first up outing and with Glyn Schofield engaged, shapes as a terrific each way bet.
The Mitsubishi Mirage Benchmark 73 Handicap (1600m) is an open sort of race where the favourite Masahiko is perhaps vulnerable.
Masahiko was brave in defeat last start behind Knoydart where he was caught three wide the trip with no cover on Heavy going.
He only narrowly had the measure of a rival here in Canny Ballad but it is the Guy Walter-trained gelding who arguably possesses more upside.
There is a long list of genuine each way chances in the event including Clever Boy, La Pieta, Lansdowne Road and Amarachi.
All have sound lead up form and get weight off the favourite.
Banker: R7 #7 KNEAD THE DOUGH @ $2.80
Play Of The Day: R6 #6 SACRED FLYER @ $5.00Lay Of The Day: R4 #1 MASAHIKO @ $3.80
