Wednesday midweek thoroughbred racing will be held at five venues around the country. Our focus will be on Caulfield Heath, Warwick Farm and Belmont. Here are our best bets for Wednesday’s horse racing!
Caulfield Heath Racing Tips: Wednesday, May 20th
Race 7: Ive > Handicap 1500m – 3:55pm AEST
(4) Nearing Liberty will be having his first run since November. He has trialled twice, the latest was a third placing when letting down strongly late. Matthew Brown’s gelding has won twice from five attempts when fresh and finished his last campaign in good form. Barrier two should see Ben Melham ride positively to race on the speed.
(9) Vivacissimo continues to race well after a second at her first-up run. Beaten a half-length at Bendigo, she should appreciate the step up from 1300m to 1500m and has won once from two attempts when second-up from a spell. Should get a nice run from gate four.
(6) Oriental Smoke is a former Hong Kong galloper that ran fourth at his Australian debut. Draws well in gate three with Jackson Radley picking up the ride. He should be better for the run and has each-way claims in this company.
(4) Nearing Liberty WIN
$5.00 (1 Unit)
Warwick Farm Racing Tips: Wednesday, May 20th
Race 3: All Too Hard @ Vinery Stud Handicap 1100m – 2:00pm AEST
(7) Hello Captain raced twice in his first preparation for trainer Chris Waller, running second on debut before a dominant 1.61-length victory at the Sunshine Coast on Boxing Day. He has run excellent sectionals in both career runs in comparison to rivals here and the three-year-old gelding should be ready to roll first-up following a pair of trials. It was a nice effort in the most recent trial. Looks hard to beat.
(5) Bruce I Am scored on debut before a narrow second at Wyong. Both runs suggest he will run well again and looks the main danger on paper. Nash Rawiller retains the ride and will be positive from the outset.
(4) Margin Call raced five times in his first campaign for Ciaron Maher, winning twice and runner up on another two occasions. He is extremely consistent and will run a huge race.
(7) Hello Captain WIN
$2.70 (2 Units)
Belmont Racing Tips: Wednesday, May 20th
Race 1: Kalgoorlie-Boulder Reunion Handicap 1000m – 1:04pm (3:04pm AEST)
(4) Long Service Leaf is a three-year-old gelding that has won two of his four career starts for trainer Neville Parnham. His son Chris Parnham jumps back aboard for the first-up run and the gelding has trialled twice in preparation for this race. He has the best last 600m splits in the race and should be able to sit back and thunder home strongly. Looks hard to beat.
(3) Under Influence has not won since August 2024, boasting a long losing sequence. He is first-up which doesn’t suit as he normally needs a run under the belt before performing. William Pike jumps aboard and Belmont is a track that suits the gelding. Could run well.
(5) Gold Vancouver ran better than market expectations last start and could do the same again on the back of that effort. She was fourth, beaten 1.36 lengths by Last Stylebender. She can mix her form though.
(4) Long Service Leaf WIN
$2.25 (3 Units)
Race 5: Steve Mills Handicap 1200m – 3:28pm (5:28pm AEST)
(7) A Summer Fling is a three-year-old filly that won as a short-priced favourite at her second career start. She is first-up since January and has just one barrier trial under the belt. If she can show a little bit of improvement from her first campaign, then she should be well suited in this field and could be hard to hold out late.
(8) Miss Defies Me is a stablemate to the top pick and she won at her only career run before spelling. She trialled twice in January but didn’t race and has now had a recent trial at the start of the month. She should have plenty of upside and has each-way claims.
(5) Sniper’s Son has run a pair of third placings and gets the services of Pike for this race. The latest was a good effort at Ascot and a similar run here would see the four-year-old gelding go close to winning a second career victory. That is the main query as he has won just once in 20 starts with 10 minor placings.
(7) A Summer Fling WIN
$2.30 (3 Units)
