Gelding set to return in style at meeting: Tips and analysis for Warwick Farm races

On a rain-hit track that may scrape back to Heavy 9 or even an 8, five-year-old Boomsong returns in a competitive Benchmark 72 Hcp over 1000m for the older gallopers.

It's been a frustrating nine months for Hawkesbury-based trainer Stephen O'Halloran and a long list of owners in Boomsong since he failed to beat a runner home in a similar race at this track last winter.

It was an abrupt setback for connections who were forced to send Boomsong back to the paddock.

Only six weeks earlier, he had arrived in the stable from Hong Kong-bound Mark Newnham at Randwick, and duly took a liking to his new surrounds winning a BM 64 at home before running into second place in similar company at Kembla.

He was soon after forced to undergo arthroscopic surgery to remove a bone chip from his right foreleg.

But given plenty of time to recover, Boomsong signalled he was ready to return with a tidy trial at Hawkesbury three weeks ago.

And O'Halloran has seemingly found a timely late autumn race, with Boomsong naturally relishing heavy ground being a son of prolific wet track sire Your Song.

Certainly, the stable will get an immediate line on where the horse is at, with smart five-year-olds Ringarosa and Boss also resuming in the race; while fellow Hawkesbury galloper Akaka Falls comes to the city attempting to make it three straight wins this prep.

Despite all the lead-up rain, strong and deep fields have been accepted for the meeting, with punters getting their chance to run the rule over the latest crop of two-year-olds.

Leading trainer Chris Waller has accepted with two runners in the opening colts and geldings division, and a whopping seven in the fillies' juvenile race.

Debutant 2. Emirate can open with a bang off two strong trials.

We start on a very heavy surface with the juvenile maiden boys at set weights, and all but one accepted are on debut. Confident highly-touted colt 2. Emirate by renowned wet track sire Extreme Choice can open his career with a bang. Has been strong through the line in a couple of soft track trials, the latest making up steady ground when hard on the bridle. Draws to get the sweet run inside with gear additions for the leading Waller/McDonald combination.

Dangers: Naturally any late market moves will have a big say, but fancy first-starter 1. Braveheart is the immediate threat from the Snowden stable. Has looked strong through two progressive metro trials, and bred to thrive in the going being by prolific I Am Invincible out of a Holy Roman Emperor mare who won at Group 3 level.

Another one who looks ready to rock on debut is Shalaa colt 8. Shalaa Gold for the Bjorn Baker yard who showed good acceleration to win that second of two recent trials in front of the top selection, but was pushed out over the final furlong. Gap to the rest headed by 3. Freezing on debut behind two trials for Godolphin, and bred to relish the going being by Frosted out of a Street Cry mare; and 4. Insist, also by Extreme Choice and starting behind two forward trials.

How to play it: Emirate to win and first four 1,2,8/1,2,3,4,8/1,2,3,4,8/1,2,3,4,8

Now the three-year-olds lock horns, and it shapes best at the value for improving 3. Determination second-up for the same leading jockey/trainer combination in only his second prep. Did his best work late when fresh at the provincials, but fitter now and is drawn to settle closer.

Dangers: Big watch on ex-Kiwi filly 1. Emila Jane by Derryn who was a Group 2 winner in Soft 7 ground. Now based in the Joe Pride yard and has been fitted with two easy trials after an eye-catching debut across the Tasman in late January. Keep very safe 8. Star Act who has an edge in fitness fourth-up after three handy provincial efforts when tight in the market, and crucially blinkers go on; while 7. Shamrock Sally is also in the mix after closing off well at Kembla in her first outing since a similar run on debut at Canterbury last December. By renowned wet track sire Charm Spirit.

How to play it: Determination to win

The girls' edition of the two-year-olds is a more open affair, again with most on debut. One of those is exciting 3. Clean Energy who can overcome a wide draw for the Waterhouse-Bott stable. By high class Zoustar, and has comfortably won both lead-up trials on Soft 7. With tactical speed, and the fact he will come in a few barrier spots after scratchings, only has to jump cleanly to be right there at the finish.

Dangers: No shortage of these headed by well-bred 9. Lady Shenandoah for the Waller yard. Similarly right there in two soft track trials, with plenty in the tank on the line, and she draws to get a handy run in transit. Drawn closer in, 12. Shezasiren by Everest winner Yes Yes Yes starts her career with gear additions behind consecutive trial wins; while 7. Husk is drawn wide for the Hawkes camp, resuming for only her second start behind two tidy trials, and by the smart UK sprinter Calyx who in turn is by the mighty Kingman. Both first starters 8. Jellicious off two progressive trials for the Ciaron Maher stable; and 15. Glorioso third-up in her second prep for Godolphin if she gains a start; can run into the minor money.

How to play it: Clean Energy to win

Tough and fit mare 5. Cabaca can finally crack a fourth career win, and continue a potentially big day for the Waller stable. Came off two mixed efforts up to Group 3 level in Tasmania to be ridden much quieter and found the line late in a deeper BM 78 at Caulfield. Then ridden further forward, hit the line well in a similar race to this 13 days ago. Proven on wet tracks, and a stronger and far more experienced jockey goes on.

Dangers: Improving 8. Tenderize is also well placed over a furlong further, and second-up off a five week freshen-up. Was taken to the front before fading late last start, but suspect he'll be ridden quieter here from the softer draw, and be saved up for one final surge from the 400m. Similarly drawn to either lead, or take a trail with cover, 6. Destiny's Delight is a real each-way threat stepping up from an all-the-way BM 64 win at Kembla. Gap to the rest headed by 4. Mr Buster, a lightly raced stablemate of the former who draws the fence, and reloads second-up five weeks between runs. Naturally, watch the market with imported four-year-old 1. Tajawal by superstar Frankel who hasn't raced since being beaten narrowly in an 85-rated race in the UK last October, and has been fitted with two easy trials for the Annabel Neasham yard.

How to play it: Cabaca to win

Back to the sprint trip for the gallopers five years and older, and sparingly raced 7. Boomsong can strike first-up off a nine month spell which included surgery to remove a bone chip. Has trialled well enough, and shown he comes to hand quickly having won a BM 64 fresh at his provincial home to start the last campaign. Looks handily treated just 1kg over the limit, and loves the ground being by prolific wet track sire Your Song out of an Anabaa mare.

Dangers: Resuming mare 2. Ringarosa has a smart fresh record, and fitted with a soft trial at this track 12 days ago. Charged home from well back to win here nearly a year ago against similar opposition. No reason the tough six-year-old 1. Akaka Falls can't grab a third straight win this prep, despite jumping back into metro company. Swept home to win a handy provincial BM 68 before carrying a big weight to win the Cup Day Sprint at Orange 19 days ago. Naturally taking on some better ones here, but draws okay and will carry 3.5kg less after the rider's claim. Another one resuming off a lengthy break with a tidy first-up record is 8. Boss who drew the inside, and cruised home to win a provincial trial; while 4. My Eloise is an each-way knockout chance resuming off a steady trial.

How to play it: Boomsong to win

Same graded affair for the boys only, and in a race of many chances, the best value lies with talented three-year-old 5. Gelatin who resumes as gelding off two progressive trials. Won consecutive races last prep on heavy ground before finishing just behind the placegetters in a Midway BM 72. Draws to sit right behind tHE speed, and loves the going.

Dangers: No doubting 1. Huesca is right up to winning this, having placed twice in his last three in stronger grade, but up sharply to a hefty and steadying weight, and he remains unproven in real heavy going. Keep safe 2. Convincibility better suited coming back 100m in distance from the Midway Provincial C'ship Final where he led at big odds before dropping out. Watch the betting on lightly raced 11. Tannenburg first-up behind a quiet trial; while including in all exotic plays 3. The Little Pumper, resuming being two trials; and 6. Khumbila who steps up in class having not missed a place in his last five at the provincials.

How to play it: Gelatin to win

The girls' edition wraps up the meeting in the likely toughest and widest race on the program. Among a few big value chances, smart and progressive mare 7. Nanshe can strike second-up for Godolphin, especially if there's a late pattern well away from the fence. Won two straight up to BM 64 level to cap an eye-catching prep late last winter before returning off a lengthy break to attack the line impressively in soft ground at Kembla. This is tougher, but she's got plenty of scope, carries 2kg less, and is drawn to get to the middle of the track.

Dangers: Plenty of them headed by 17. Pippie Beach who steps up from a fast-finishing and dominant second start victory at the provincials, although untested in the ground; Drawn the fence and right alongside, 14. Betsy's Flag can peak third-up with weight relief, provided the inside sector is holding up okay. Big watch too on 16. Slinky who draws off the track; but that might be advantageous late in the meeting, and she was impressive charging home from the back to beat all but the winner in a provincial BM 64 two weeks ago. At double figure odds, both 10. Waikiki deep into her prep on preferred wet ground; and 11. Lulumon who has hit the line hard in three provincial runs this prep; can both add value into trifecta and first fours.

How to play it: Nanshe each way

BEST BETS:

R1 2. EMIRATE

R4 5. CABACA

BEST VALUE:

R6 5. GELATIN