Viking Hero will represent Michael Moroney in the 2012 Hobart Cup this Sunday

Won last year by Sydney raider Bid Spotter, this year’s edition of the $225,000 Group 3 AAMI Hobart Cup (2200m) is shaping up as a super clash by a number of strong interstate visitors and Tasmania’s ace staying types.

Topweight of the field with 59kg and Dwayne Dunn engaged for the ride is the Michael, Wayne and John Hawkes-trained Rainbow Styling out for back-to-back wins for the Sydney stayers.

Drawn on the rails in barrier one veteran Zabeel seven-year-old Rainbow Styling showed they still had wins up their sleeve taking out an 1800m handicap at Caulfield last-start on January 26 when carrying 58.5kg.

That victory broke a lengthy winning drought for the horse whose other most recent turf triumph was in the Group 3 Naturalism Stakes (2000m) also at Caulfield back in September of 2010.

Rainbow Styling is one of three other last-start winners engaged in the Hobart Cup 2012 field.

The other most notable galloper coming off a win is John Luttrell’s local hopeful Geegees Blackflash who will go out as the 58.5kg second top-weight with Peter Mertens aboard.

The Clangalang five-year-old has been in flying form of late winning all four of their spring – summer starts to date.

Their purple patch has included a stakes victory in the Listed Kevin Sharkie Stakes (1600m) at Hobart on December 27, and most recently their brilliant six length Summer Cup (2100m) win carrying 60kg.

Dropping back in weight, and seeking their third win from as many starts at Hobart, Geegees Blackflash is likely to open at the top of the Hobart Cup odds at Luxbet when markets are released shortly.

“We thought that he would get 58 or 58.5kg,” Luttrell said.

“He carried 60kg last start so the weight he got is fair enough.

“I think we can still win the race.”

The other gallopers seeking back-to-back victories are the Patrick Payne-trained Victorian stayer Fieldmaster to be ridden by Michelle Payne from gate two, and the Gary White-trained Wynyard Cup winner Mr Isaac in barrier three with Michael Walker engaged for the ride.

Black Minnaloushe five-year-old Fieldmaster made a brilliant start to their Tassie raid last Sunday when they scored a tidy one and three quarter length victory over fellow Hobart Cup acceptor Dream Flyer, prepared by local horseman Troy Blacker, with the Danny O’Brien-trained Savabeel mare Placement at close third.

It is a genuine field full of ace chances for this year’s Hobart Cup with other notable horses including the Shaune Ritchie-trained Kiwi Roi D’Jeu coming off a close second in a Group 3 over 2000m in New Zealand on January 21, and Michael Moroney’s last-start Victoria Handicap runner-up Viking Hero, Moroney opting not to accept original topweight Drunken Sailor.

On the 54kg minimum with Damien Oliver aboard, Viking Hero will jump from barrier nine of 10.

“He’s had three starts this preparation and he’s spot on going into the race,” Moroney’s stable manager Anthony Feroce said of Viking Hero.

Stay tuned to Races.com.au throughout the coming weeks for all the latest Tassie racing news and betting updates.

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2012 Hobart Cup Final Field & Barrier Draw

Hobart – 12/02/2012

The Savoire Vivre gelding went out as a $18.50 outsider in the betting for the $100,000 Listed Tasmanian Derby (2200m) despite the three-year-old’s impressive five length victory at Ararat over 2000m last-start on January 16.

Ridden by New Zealand-born hoop Jarrod Todd, Methuselah never looked threatened when leading all-the-way to put three lengths on the favourite Barysh Quest ($2.80) who finished second just a nose ahead of their third-placed stablemate, the fellow Gary White-trained Colonial Gold ($50.30) making for a juicy paying Tasmanian Derby Trifeca.

It was the culmination of a long-term assignment McArdle had set Methuselah on after securing them for $30,000 at the 2010 Magic Millions Tasmanian Select Yearling Sales.

“Ever since we bought him I’ve had the Tasmanian Derby in mind but it’s the way he’s gone this time in with two wins from his previous four starts and especially his win at Ararat confirmed it,” McArdle explained.

“It’s always a bit special winning a stakes race and this horse is a genuine stayer.

“He was given the perfect ride by Jarrod from an awkward barrier (9 of 10) and was strong to the line.”

The progressive youngster’s next major assignment will be in the $200,000 Listed VRC St Leger (2800m) at Flemington on April 25 during the Melbourne Autumn Racing Carnival.

“I will give him a break for now and get him ready for some future staying races,” McArdle said.

“A race like the St Leger at Flemington on Anzac Day or the South Australian Derby may suit him, he’s got stayer written all over him.”

The $350,000 Group 1 SA Derby (2500m) runs at Morphettville on May 5.

In other Tasmanian race results from Sunday the Patrick Payne-trained Fieldmaster proved their potential for this weekend’s Group 3 Hobart Cup with a smart one and three-quarter length win over Dream Flyer in the $50,000 Jockey Club Cup (2100m).

The previously unraced Stratum colt Bush Aviator then won another one of the day’s three black-type features, the Victorian raider from Danny O’Brien’s Flemington stables saluting for the punters in the $100,000 Motors Elwick 2YO Stakes (1100m) when scoring an easy two and a quarter length victory over Testa Gee Gee ($17.90).

The meeting came to a close with the $150,000 Group 3 Bow Mistress Trophy (1200m), defending champ and local hero Lady Lynette ($2.30F) going down as the beaten favourite by two lengths to Leon Well’s up-and-coming Telesto mare Rebel Bride.

Rebel Bride has now won five on the trot.

Stay tuned to Races.com.au over the coming weeks for all the latest Tasmanian Summer Racing Carnival news, including the final field for this Sunday’s Hobart Cup 2012.

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2012 Tasmanian Derby Results & Finishing Order

Hobart Race 8 – 05/02/2012

Accepted to contest Caulfield Race 7 tomorrow the $100,000 Listed Reaan Plate (2000m), also known as the Mornington Cup Prelude, Urgent Request five-year-old The Big Steel was the $3.80 Luxbet favourite.

Mornington-based Laurie, however, has been forced to withdraw them from the race with the gelding suffering muscle tenderness, the popular grey also now set to miss their home town cup Wednesday week.

They are one of two early scratchings from the race along with #6 Sean Baile Mor.

“The horse just isn’t right,” Laurie said.

“He hurt himself last run when he cut his hock quite badly and, while that is not an issue now, he may have compensated and done something else in the meantime.

“It is hard to diagnose but there appears to be muscle soreness or something else going on.”

The $200,000 Listed Mornington Cup (2400m) on February 15 would have been a lucrative carrot for The Big Steel, and would also have been a good guide for Laurie on the horse’s Melbourne Autumn Racing Carnival prospects.

Whether The Big Steel, whose biggest career win to date came at Flemington on Emirates Stakes Day in a $100,000 feature during the Melbourne Cup Carnival of 2010, will be right to race again anytime in the autumn is now under a cloud of doubt.

“I don’t think it is long term (the injury) but time is something we don’t have a lot of at the moment,” Laurie said.

“It is very disappointing and our plans are in doubt for sure.”

With The Big Steel out of the 2012 Reaan Plate this weekend, odds on the remaining hopefuls have all come in with Bolton the narrow $3.40 favourite over Cindy Alderson’s Christmas Cup winner Sea Galleon ($3.80 Luxbet) and Dean Howard’s classy Cranbourne galloper Royal Mail ($4 Luxbet).

Darwin visitor Bolton comes off a smart win at Flemington over the 1700m, but Saturday will be the Zabeel five-year-olds first look at the 2000m since March last year when they were raced in Victoria under Robert Hickmott.

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Updated 2012 Reaan Plate – Mornington Cup Prelude Odds

Caulfield Race 7 – 04/02/2012

*Fixed Win Odds provided by Luxbet and subject to change

How the two-year-old daughter of Not A Single Doubt handles the rain affected track tomorrow will be key to whether she posts her third win from five starts and boosts her chances of being aimed at the Group races during the upcoming winter festival.

After a romping six-length Townsville win on debut last November, Mackay filly Doubtfilly was tested in stakes company next-up but finished a disappointing seventh behind Discreet in the Listed Calaway Gal Stakes (1000m) at Eagle Farm in December.

She was then sent to the Gold Coast to trial for the famous Magic Millions 2YO Classic but again looked outclassed and without the speed to finish better than fifth to Lady Colours in a 900m handicap.

After missing out on a shot in the MM Classic, Doubtfilly ran again at Eagle Farm and was an easy one and a quarter length winner of the Racing Retro Handicap (1000m) against her own kind on January 21, the decision to keep her in Brisbane instead of heading home between runs proving the right one.

“I thought it would be too much to travel her back in the hot conditions we were having at the time,” Kendrick explained.

“I left her in Brisbane and she’s done well.”

On Saturday she goes up against the boys in the $50,000 + $42,000 QTIS600 bonus for first Skyracing.TV QTIS Two-Years-Old Handicap (1100m), which is due to jump as Doomben Race 1 at 11:25pm (QLD time).

Currently the Doomben track is rated a Slow (7), but with rain around in Brisbane this afternoon Kendrick will have his fingers crossed the sun is out in the morning to firm the track up some.

“On breeding she should handle it (the wet track) as her grand dam was by Woodman but it’s one of those unknowns until you try them but hopefully she’ll handle it,” Kendrick said.

Doubtfilly has never seen worse than a Dead (4) which explains why her price has drifted out from $3.20 to $4 in the Doomben markets at Luxbet.

She still retains favouritism however, the next-best fancied runners being the unraced Patinack Farm-owned Wonderful Jester ($5 Luxbet) who is out wide in barrier 10 of 11 and Sunshine Coast filly Optionality ($6 Luxbet) in gate two coming off a third to Doubtfilly last-start.

If all goes to plan, Kendrick is eyeing off the $250,000 Group 2 QTC Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) at Eagle Farm on June 2 for Doubtfilly during the winter.

“She’ll definitely go for a spell after this race,” Kendrick said.

“She should take a lot of benefit from her previous wins as I couldn’t work her as hard as I wanted in the wet before races.

“I want to get a good guide from her in this race before I decide.

“If she wins well and is strong at the finish, the Sires would prove a nice race for her in the winter.”

Kendrick mentioned the two-year-old campaign of the Todd Austin-trained Playtime as a guide to how Doubtfilly may progress, the Barcaldine-based filly having run second in last year’s Sires’ Produce Stakes and then third to the Peter Snowden-trained Benfica in the Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes (1600m) after traveling from Mackay to Brisbane.

“Playtime comes from up our way and he (trainer Todd Austin) came down last winter after running second in the big QTIS Plate at Mackay and ran second in the Sires’ and third in the TJ Smith,” he said.

Full markets for the bumper nine-race Doomben meeting on Saturday can be found and enjoyed right now at Luxbet.

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Caulfield Track Report

• Weather: Fine
• Track Condition: Dead (4)
• Penetrometer: -
• Rail: Out 10m Entire Circuit

Melbourne is where the best horse racing action is at this Saturday with Warwick Farm in Sydney looking more and more like a washout.

Racing is set to kick off at 1:10pm (VIC time) at Caulfield and continues right through until Race 8 at 5:46pm, giving punters plenty of events and plenty of time to pick and back a winner through Luxbet!

The first of the black-type quartet highlighting the card is Caulfield Race 4 – the $100,000 Listed Emirates Airline Stakes (1100m), formerly the Chairman’s Stakes, at 3:10pm where 2012 Blue Diamond Stakes favourite Jimando dominates the Luxbet markets.

Race five at 3:50pm is then the $100,000 Listed Shadwell Stud Australasia Stakes (1200m) or Manfred Stakes where Crown Oaks winner Mosheen races first-up for the season against a crack field that includes David Hayes’ emerging sprinter Rifleman and the in-form John Hyam-trained Petman.

Stakes racing continues at 4:30pm with Race 6 – the $100,000 United Arab Emirates Stakes (1000m), also known as the W.J. Adams Stakes, which is shaping up as s super sprint showdown between the likes of the ultra-consistent Bel Sprinter, last-start Canterbury Classic winner Unanimously and Peter Moody’s smart mare Kulgrinda.

The final headliner on the Caulfield race card is then Race 7 at 5:10pm – the $100,000 Reaam Plate (2000m), the Mornington Cup Prelude to feature a nine-horse field following the early scratching of Luxbet favourite The Big Steel.

Below the expert team of Melbourne form analysts and tipsters at the Races.com.au office have made their insider Caulfield Saturday racing tips public knowledge.

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Saturday Race Tips – Caulfield – 04/02/2012

Race 1 – 1:10pm Shadwell Farm Kentucky (USA) Handicap (1100m)

• Scratched: #1 Obsidian Dragon, #2 Avionics
• Tip: #4 Silkstone Special ($13) from #5 Johannapine ($2.20) and #8 Teen Spirit ($101) – Bet now at Luxbet

Race 2 – 1:50pm Derrinstown Stud (IRELAND) Plate (1100m)

• Tip: #1 Le Societe ($2.10) from #7 Peninsula Dane ($26) and #2 Leoncita ($5.50) – Bet now at Luxbet

Race 3 – 2:30pm Shadwell Estate Co (UK) Plate (1700m)

• Scratched: #4 Testas Double
• Tip: #3 There’s Only One ($3.60) from #9 Chasse ($4.80) and #11 Prizum ($4.60) – Bet now at Luxbet

Race 4 – 3:10pm Emirates Airline Stakes (1100m)

• Former Race Name: Chairman’s Stakes
• Tip: #1 Jimando ($2.25) from #10 Formidable ($6.50) and #2 Timely Truce ($21) – Bet now at Luxbet

Race 5 – 3:50pm Shadwell Stud Australasia Stakes (1200m)

• Former Race Name: Manfred Stakes
• Scratched: #8 Niconoise
• Tip: #6 Rifleman ($4.40) from #1 Mosheen ($3.80) and #4 Petman ($7) – Bet now at Luxbet

Race 6 – 4:30pm United Arab Emirates Stakes (1000m)

• Former Race Name: W.J. Adams Stakes
• Tip: #1 Bel Sprinter ($2.20) from #6 Unanimously ($9) and #2 Canali ($12) – Bet now at Luxbet

Race 7 – 5:10pm Reaan Plate (2000m)

• Former Race Name: Mornington Cup Prelude
• Scratched: #2 The Big Steel
• Tip: #1 Sea Galleon ($4.60) from #10 Umatic ($31) and #4 Royal Mail ($4.80) – Bet now at Luxbet

Race 8 – 5:46pm Nadeem Handicap (1400m)

• Scratched: #6 Mr Make Believe
• Tip: #2 Extra Zero ($12) from #4 Chasm ($8.50) and #14 Excluded ($6) – Bet now at Luxbet

*All Odds quoted are Fixed Win from Luxbet and subject to change

Sea Galleon is the 2012 Reaan Plate betting market mover ahead of Saturday's Caulfield clash

Running as Race 7 at 5:10pm (VIC time), the $100,000 Listed Reaan Plate (2000m) features a 10-horse field, The Big Steel in barrier five topping the Luxbet markets as the $3.80 favourite.

A winner of six of their 22 career starts to date The Big Steel was last seen finishing two lengths away fourth to Royal Mail, a $4.80 chance for the Reaan Plate though Luxbet, over the track and distance on January 7.

Following on the second line of betting after being backed in from $4.20 to $4 is then the rails-drawn Darwin visitor Bolton.

The Zabeel five-year-old was impressive last-start over 1700m when taking out a Flemington race by one and three quarter lengths, but they haven’t raced over further than that since March last year.

Three other Reaan Plate acceptors are at single-figures to win through Luxbet with Sea Galleon ($4.60), the aforementioned Royal Mail ($4.80) and the local Clinton McDonald-trained Snitzel four-year-old Apres ($6).

The genuine market mover has been Sea Galleon, the Colin & Cindy Alderson-trained stayer backed in from their opening quote of $5.

Drawn in gate two the Galileo five-year-old, who ran a close third in the 2010 SA Derby during their three-year-old season, has been in excellent form over the past few months.

They have won their past three straight, including a four length Sandown victory over 2400m on a Heavy (8), and most recently the Listed Christmas Cup (2400m) at Rosehill on December 10 on a Dead (4).

After Saturday Sea Galleon will contest the $200,000 Listed Morington Cup (2400m) on Wednesday February 15, which offers a 2012 Caulfield Cup ballot exemption to the winner.

“He lost quite a bit of weight when he went to Sydney, but he’s put it all back on now,” Cindy Alderson said.

“He’s never been a horse that carries an enormous amount of condition, but he certainly looks to have benefitted from the short break he had.

“Obviously you’ve got to be a little bit cautious about a horse coming back off a let-up, sometimes they need a run or two just to bring them to their peak, but he’s certainly worked well and looks well, so I’m hopeful of a forward showing from him.

“He’s heading towards the Mornington Cup.

“After that we might think about Sydney.

“We might look for anywhere there is a bit of cut in the ground for him, so that’ll be the hardest problem with him.

“The BMW is an option…even though weight-for-age might be a bit hard for him.”

One of the richest races of the Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival, the $2.25 million The BMW (2400m) runs at Rosehill on Golden Slipper Day, April 7.

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2012 Reaan Plate Odds

Caulfield Race 7 – 04/02/2012

*Fixed Win Odds provided by Luxbet and subject to change

This year’s edition of the Chairman’s Stakes is registered as the $100,000 Listed Emirates Airline Stakes (1100m) and is set to run as Caulfield Race 4 at 3:10pm (VIC time).

Unsurprisingly Tony McEvoy’s unbeaten Commands colt from Adelaide is dominating the Luxbet markets, the promising two-year-old having been backed in from $2.40 to $2.25.

Jimando caught the eye on debut last October when easily winning the Listed Inglis Debutants Stakes (1000m) by three and a half lengths at Caulfield, and McEvoy is confident they can make it two-from-two for their career and at the track this Saturday especially after they came up trumps in barrier two of 11.

The horse is also out to secure their spot at the top of the futures markets at Luxbet for the $1 million Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) running at Caulfield on February 25, Jimando the current $5 favourite.

McEvoy, who worked as a foreman at Lindsay Park helping prepare many of the racing giant’s eight Blue Diamond Stakes winners including the record-breaking five trained by David Hayes, has Jimando earmarked as the right type to take out the million dollar classic.

“Nadeem, Mahaasin and quite a few Diamond winners that came through when I was with the Hayes camp, I think this horse holds his own with those in the comparative work up the hills at Lindsay Park, or Kildaton Park,” he said.

“I’m very happy, he’s certainly gone the right way and the form around him as been very complimentary to the horse, which I’ve enjoyed as well.”

McEvoy was speaking mainly of the impressive one and a quarter length win by The Travelling Man in the Listed Blue Diamond Stakes Preview (1000m) at Caulfield on January 26, Matt Laurie’s Mossman colt having previously run four and a half lengths away fourth to Jimando in the Inglis Debutants.

Just two of their rivals are under double-figures in the Chairman’s Stakes odds at Luxbet with the Mark Kavanagh-trained If I Could in from $3.90 to $3.80 despite their outside barrier 11 draw, and Strada filly Formidable in barrier seven paying $6.50, Formidable having beaten home If I Could when they finished one-two at Flemington over 1000m on debut last-start.

Other notable chances at longer odds include unraced Snitzel colt Pronto Pronto ($13 Luxbet) and the David Hayes-trained Mama’s Choice ($14 Luxbet) who also makes her first appearance under race conditions on Saturday.

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2012 Emirates Airline Chairman’s Stakes Odds

Caulfield Race 4 – 04/02/2012

*Fixed Win Odds provided by Luxbet and subject to change

Mosheen is the firming favourite to win the 2012 Manfred Stakes at Caulfield this weekend

Due to take place as Caulfield Race 5 at 3:50pm (VIC time), the Manfred Stakes runs this year as the $100,000 Listed Shadwell Stud Australasia Stakes (1200m).

Currently 10 horses remain in the field following the early withdrawal of #8 Niconoise who was drawn in barrier one.

The market mover and unsurprising favourite is Robert Smerdon’s brilliant Fastnet Rock filly Mosheen.

After opening in the Luxbet markets at $4.40, Mosheen has been blasted by the punters and her price has been ground into $3.80.

She runs for the first time since her scintillating nine length romp in the Group 1 Crown Oaks (2500m) at Flemington on November 3 and comes into gate seven after originally drawing eight.

Having won one of her two first-up assignments to date, Mosheen sees the 1200m for the third time on Saturday and is yet to win over the distance.

Second-favourite to take out the Shadwell Stud Australasia Stakes on Saturday is then Rifleman who has drifted out from $4.20 to $4.40 at Luxbet over the past day.

Drawn ideally in barrier four, into three, David Hayes’ Hussonet colt is out to stretch their winning streak to three straight following back-to-back wins at Ballarat by four lengths and then Morphettville by one respectively in January over 1000m.

They go to 1200m for the first time but have the lead-up form to be competitive.

“Rifleman has been racing well,” Hayes said.

“He equaled the course record in Adelaide last start and from the barrier I thought he was worth a shot at the better horses.”

It is a wide open betting market for Caulfield Race 5 with six other runners under $10 in the markets including $7 third favourite, John Hyam’s Lonhro colt Petman ($7 Luxbet).

Petman comes off a third in the Listed Zeditave Stakes (1200m) at the track and distance on Australia Day and Hyam is confident they have come on well since.

Despite Mosheen’s dominance in the markets Hyam believes she won’t be at full fitness just yet and that Rifleman is the main danger, after his horse of course.

“I’m over the moon with the way he is now,” Hyam said of Petman who races at Caulfield for the first time.

“He can win the race.

“I’ve taken him for a couple of gallops around the Caulfield track – he seems to know the place.

“Rifleman is probably the biggest danger.

“I’m pretty sure they wouldn’t have Mosheen firing over 1200 metres first-up – she’s got a Sydney trip in store.

“Our bloke is pretty hard and fit now.

“As long as he backs up, we should be sweet.”

The Mick Price-trained Starcraft gelding Secret Hills resuming after a sixth to Helmet in the Caulfield Guineas last October, and That’s The One following in the markets paying $7.50 each through Luxbet.

The Colin & Cindy Alderson-trained That’s The One has come in from their opening odds of $8.50 getting some early support despite their awkward barrier 10 (into 9) draw.

After winning their opening two career starts in July and August last year, a three length Sandown success on debut overcoming a Heavy (9) track before a close win over 1410m at Flemington, That’s The One was disappointing when finishing a well-beaten sixth to Helmet in the Group 3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude (1400m) on September 24.

Cindy Alderson is confidence they can make a nice return on Saturday and get back to the business of winning this autumn, their campaign targeted at the $750,000 Group 1 Australian Guineas (2000m) at Flemington on March 3.

“I think this race will be a little bit short for him on Saturday, but I’m very happy with his condition and the way he’s come through his two trials leading into it,” she said.

“I think he’ll be running on strongly at the end of the race and I’m excited to have him back.”

Check out the full Caulfield racing odds and betting options for all eight events this Saturday open now at Luxbet, and if you sign-up with this ace online bookie for the first time, make sure you deposit and quote the code BONUSBET to unlock your $400 bonus bet!

2012 Shadwell Stud Australasia Manfred Stakes Odds

Caulfield Race 5 – 04/02/2012

*Fixed Win Odds provided by Luxbet and subject to change

Tommy Berry & Karuta Queen reunite at Warwick Farm on Saturday

Thirty-seven horses have already been scratched across the seven races at Canterbury’s twilight meeting this evening, the track currently rated a Heavy (9) and likely to deteriorate further with the ongoing wet weather in Sydney today.

For Warwick Farm on Saturday there is also likely to be plenty of casualties coming out of the eight race fields due to the muddy conditions.

Layt, however, has insisted that his Not A Single Doubt three-year-old Karuta Queen will handle any type of track including a Heavy (10) when she runs first-up in Warwick Farm Race 3 – the $70,000 Www.Tab.Com.Au Handicap (1000m).

“Put it this way, I’ll be very disappointed if she doesn’t win the race,” he said.

“She is going along great guns, it is only 1000m and the rain could be in her favour.

“She hasn’t disappointed us yet and there is no reason why she should (on Saturday).”

The field is already down to just five following the decision from Canberra trainer Matthew Dale to avoid a clash with Karuta Queen and take his last-start Canterbury Classic winner Unanimously to Melbourne for a black-type at Caulfield this Saturday instead.

Karuta Queen, a former Magic Millions winner and Group 3 champion, could face even fewer rivals as she runs for the first time since her second to African Pulse at Flemington on Melbourne Cup Day as local horseman Gary Portelli indicated he was tempted to withdraw Eight Bills (barrier four) from the clash.

With Joe Pride’s mare Phenomenal Lass also known for her liking of firmer ground, failing all three of her attempts on Slow ground, the third at Warwick Farm could be down to a three-horse race between Karuta Queen, Paul Perry’s Social Rank and the Joe Pride-trained La Remlap.

Although Karuta Queen has never raced on a Heavy track, she easily accounted for her rivals in her sole run on Slow ground in the 2010 Magic Millions Classic on the Gold Coast.

“I am not worried about the wet tracks, I’ve seen her work at home on bottomless tracks that were very heavy and she never put a foot wrong and ran time, it doesn’t worry her,” he said.

“I am quite happy with her fitness levels, she has come back a much stronger filly and I don’t think I could get her any fitter even if I have her another trial.”

Following Saturday’s run Karuta Queen is set to move onto the $175,000 Group 2 Light Fingers Stakes (1200m) at the same track on February 18.

Prior to the withdrawal of Unanimously, Karuta Queen was the dominant $1.70 favourite to win at Warwick Farm through Luxbet.

Updated markets are due up shortly.

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Yesterday New South Wales’ Haweksbury meeting was cut just two races in after the ambulance became bogged on two occasions, the track found by stewards to be unsafe for racing.

Tonight Canterbury has a seven-race card scheduled, but with the track already a Heavy (9) with the rail +6 metres the entire circuit, there is a strong chance the Australian Turf Club (ATC) will be forced to call it off.

Should Canterbury’s twilight meet go ahead tonight it will be easy pickings for the punters at Luxbet with half the horses already officially scratched from the card.

Race fans are also eager to find out the fate of Saturday’s Warwick Farm race meeting, the eight-race program set to host the return of champion filly Karuta Queen.

The current Warwick Farm track rating is a Heavy (8), but with rain falling and more on the way the ATC’s executive general manger of racecourse management Lindsay Murphy knows things are very much touch-and-go.

“The weather is obviously very threatening and the forecast says we are going to cop a lot of rain in the next 24 hours,” Murphy said on Thursday afternoon.

“We will just have to wait and see.”

Even if the Warwick Farm race meeting does proceed tomorrow, the quality of contenders is set to suffer with a number of notable acceptors already being declared as unlikely starters.

Kembla Grange trainer Paul Murray this morning said he was leaning towards scratching his smart four-year-old Alma’s Fury from Warwick Farm Race 8 – the $70,000 Warwick Farm Handicap (1600m), and saving the Group performer for the $250,000 Group 2 Apollo Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill on February 25.

“He probably won’t be running because he won’t run on a heavy track or even if it’s slow,” Murray said.

“He just doesn’t handle it and his race is the last race of the day.

“I would say that he’ll go straight into the Apollo Stakes (instead).”

One Warwick Farm headliner that is will be there with bells on so long as the meeting gets the go ahead is the Neville Layt-trained Karuta Queen.

The Magic Millions winning filly is engaged to race first-up in the third on Saturday, the $70,000 www.tab.com.au Handicap (1000m) where she is the odds-on favourite at Luxbet.

Karuta Queen is yet to see a heavy track, but she did win her only Slow start to date when flying to a three length victory in the $2 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic on the Gold Coast last year.

Stay tuned to Races.com.au for all the latest summer – autumn racing updates and betting previews.

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