Top bets from Paul Joice for Wednesday

Paul Joice - Tuesday October 24

Midweek racing in Sydney is at Warwick Farm and I’ve found a few at odds which should fill the pockets heading into Cox Plate weekend.

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Gambling Macau-style at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.

HIGHER GROUND (Warwick Farm Race 1 No 5)
Having a small throw at the stumps on this So You Think first starter from the Chris Waller stable. Showing enough at the trials to suggest he’s got some ability and the 1300m trip looks the right distance to kick-off his career. Looked to have the edge over stablemate Enfield Opp when they met in a Rosehill trial on October 3 yet Enfield Opp is hard in the market here after catching the eye on debut. Race favourite Cuba has had six starts and remains a maiden – he looks a risk at the short odds. In a small field I think the market has Higher Ground too high. I’m having a little go.
BET: WIN
ODDS $12 @ Luxbet

SMOOTH WHISKEY (Warwick Farm Race 5 No 11)
It may have taken 15 starts for this Chris Waller-trained son of Snitzel to break his maiden but he did it in style with a cruisy 3-1/4 length romp at Wyong. He’s a horse which has always threatened to win a few races and now that he’s broken through can go on with it. Looks genuine pace and pressure engaged in the mile here which will suit as he can pull a bit when the tempo goes off. Has been competitive up to 1850m so the trip is no problem and from a soft gate with Brenton Avdulla aboard, I am expecting Smooth Whiskey to launch his bid turning for home and he will prove mighty hard to hold out. Good each-way bet.
BET: EACH-WAY
ODDS $9 @ Bet365

LORD MACAU (Warwick Farm Race 6 No 8)
This Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained four-year-old has solid first-up stats (3:1-1-1) and very good form at Warwick Farm (3:2-0-1). He’s been under-estimated throughout his career and once again offers value. With three lead-up trials under his belt he’ll be fit enough to race on pace around the 1400m and was strong through the line at his latest hit-out at Randwick on October 17. First-up last prep went down fighting when beaten a head at Canterbury and I expect he’ll be right in the thick of things again here.
BET: EACH-WAY
ODDS $9.50 @ Bet365

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