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.

Advertisement
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

Advertisment
More Reading...
MM Gold Coast Horses In Training Sale Links
Tuesday saw the final breeze ups at the Gold Coast for the Magic Millions Horses In Training Sale which starts on Thursday so here’s our links to useful data including the pinhook report, with most lots having been sold previously.
OTI Racing officially enters New Zealand market
OTI Racing is officially going trans-Tasman, with the Australian syndicator becoming a licensed New Zealand syndicator this week.
Gimcrack Winner Bred By Cornerstone
THE "BACKSLAPPING" in the backwaters of the Barossa on Saturday afternoon, paled into insignificance when compared to the celebrations of the connections of SHIKI that won on debut!
Wrote SW on Comeback Trail
Robbie Patterson had high Classic hopes for Read About It last season before his rising young star’s progress was halted by illness.
National Thoroughbred Week invites support through GoFundMe campaign
National Thoroughbred Week (NTW) is calling on the thoroughbred community and broader public to be part of history, with the launch of a GoFundMe campaign to help bring this inaugural celebration to life.
2025 G1 Caulfield Guineas Field and Barrier Draw
A full field plus emergencies have accepted for the $3million Group I MRC Caulfield Guineas (1600m) on Saturday with Golden Rose runners Wodeton, Autumn Boy, Nepotism and Rivellino all engaged.
Sword of State 2YO Ready for Debut
A pair of promising youngsters are set to make their debut for Cambridge trainer Chad Ormsby at Avondale on Wednesday, but track conditions may scupper plans for one of them.
Pedigree Potential –NZB Ready to Run – Nicks that Click
A quality packed catalogue for the 2025 NZB Ready to Run Sale is now online and in the lead up to the sale we’ll go looking each week for some horses of interest that jump out on pedigree for various reasons.
Hot Lots Day 1 - Tattersalls October Yearling Sale Book 1
The Tattersalls October Yearling Sale (October 7 – 9) kicks off tonight our time and for those interested in the number one  yearling sale in Europe we are taking a look at some of the yearlings tipped to top each day and they include a colt from an Aussie G1 winner.
Briasa Boost as More Youngsters Impress on HIT Sale Eve
The timing couldn’t be better for a sale page's pedigree boost, with Briasa announcing himself as one of Australia’s most exciting sprinters following his dominant victory in Saturday’s $1 million Group Two Premiere Stakes (1200m) at Randwick.