Gai Waterhouse will be hoping highly-touted galloper Our Desert Warrior can help tighten her stranglehold over the Spring features when he lines up in the fifth race at Warwick Farm today en-route to a possible Victoria Derby birth.
Photo by Racing and Sports
Following a similar path to his high-profile siblings Desert War and Laser Hawk, Our Desert Warrior made his debut at the provincials and proved far too good when posting a very impressive one-and-a-quarter length victory at Kembla Grange.
Settling well back in the field over the 1500m journey, the son of Desert King showed a great turn of foot to flash home right down the outside to salute as the odds-on favourite.
Despite racing greenly he showed far too much class for his rivals and looks well placed to continue his winning form when he steps out for his city debut at Warwick Farm today.
Contesting only a small field of 11, Our Desert Warrior should receive all the favours from the inside draw and with Nash Rawiller engaged expect him to take up a more forward position after he was slowly away on debut.
Currently sitting on the fifth line of betting for the Group 1 Victoria Derby, Our Desert Warrior should prove far too good for his rivals in this and go on to continue the fantastic record of broodmare High Heels.
Whilst only a small field, it still shapes up as a very competitive contest with five last start winners all set to take part.
The Darley trained Perdicaris will be attempting to collect his third straight win after he made it two wins on the trot when dead-heating for first with the Chris Waller trained Hoybell at Randwick-Kensington last start over 1400m.
A half-brother to the multiple Group 1 placed Retrieve would let you to believe that he will relish the step up to the mile and be working home powerfully.
Chris Waller will also saddle up a debut maiden winner from Kembla Grange with promising galloper Specific Choice stepping out for his second career start.
Working home strongly from the back of the field to notch up a narrow victory over 1200m, the son of Lonhro appears to have made further improvement since that debut effort after posting a solid half-length victory at last Tuesday's barrier trials at Randwick.
The in-form Hugh Bowman sticks aboard and given he has placed at half his rides at Warwick Farm this season you can expect him to be fighting out the finish.
The Paul Messara trained Rowie remains the query runner in the field as he drops back sharply in grade for this after finishing tenth lengths of It's A Dundeel in the Group 3 Gloaming Stakes last start.
He appears far better suited racing back over the mile and given he was only beaten one-and-a-half lengths when he resumed in the Listed Ming Dynasty he must be kept safe in this today.
Good luck and happy punting.
