| What | Australia Day Races |
| Where | Warwick Farm Racecourse – Governor Macquarie Dr, Warwick Farm NSW 2170 |
| When | Thursday, January 26, 2023 |
| First Race | 1:05pm AEDT |
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This Thursday is January 26, which means racing heads to Warwick Farm for a very competitive eight-part program headlined by the $160,000 Listed Australia Day Cup (2400m). The track is rated as a Soft 7 heading into the meeting, which looks to be a fair prediction with light showers expected to hit the track on Thursday. The rail moves back into the true position the entire circuit, so we’ll be looking for horses that press forward to see some minor advantage throughout the card. The first race is set to kick off Australia Day racing at 1:05pm AEDT.
Australia Day Cup: Bonny Ezra
We’ve laned with Bonny Ezra on top in the 2400m feature Australia Day Cup, as the Chris Waller-trained gelding looks ready to peak on Thursday afternoon. This son of Road To Rock has had plenty of fitness runs under his belt since returning in late October, with six in total for a win and two minor placings. His latest effort behind race rival Mission Phoenix in the January Cup on January 7 was more than enough to say he’s still traveling well, hitting the line with vigour from near last on the turn. That was 2000m and now stepping back up to the 2400m looks a major positive with more time to round up his opposition, this time off a quicker tempo, as Spirit Ridge and Mission Phoenix will be looking to lead throughout. Another tick is the wetter surface likely for race-day, as Bonny Ezra won’t mind the sting out of the ground. Drawn barrier three means Brenton Avdulla should have Bonny Ezra in striking distance this time and should get his chance to bag his sixth career win.
Australia Day Cup
Race 7 – 
#2 Bonny Ezra (3)
7yo Gelding | T: Chris Waller | J: Brenton Avdulla (57kg)
$6 with Bet365
Best Bet: Junqueira
Junqueira looks the one to beat in the fourth race of the program, as John O’Shea and James McDonald look to combine. Her win up on the Gold Coast on January 7 was a dominant display over the 1200m against her age group and now looks to replicate that performance against the older horses. She sat up on speed before sprinting clear of her opposition and from another soft draw on Thursday afternoon Junqueira will be looking to do something very similar. James McDonald will be looking to lead or sit just outside the leader on this progressive filly by Capitalist before kicking clear again to score. She sticks to 1200m and gets in well at the weights here, so we’ll be hoping James McDonald and Junqueira can maintain the form from the Gold Coast.
Best Bet
Race 4 – 
#10 Junqueira (2)
3yo Filly | T: John O’Shea | J: James McDonald (56kg)
$2 with Neds
Next Best: Coriolis
The opening race of the afternoon has our next best of the program, as we’re hoping consistency can pay dividends for Coriolis. Her three runs this time in have been terrific performances and seems to continually find one better. Her previous effort at Canterbury on January 6 may not read well on paper, defeated by 2.8 lengths behind Capitol Queen; however, Coriolis ran into trouble around the 250m marker checking off heels before hitting the line well for fourth. The heavy deck didn’t do her any favours either, so getting back onto something around the soft range should do this Lonhro filly a world of good. James McDonald combines with James Cummings and from barrier four in the small field should see Coriolis get the one-by-one throughout, before her fitness edge should find her hitting the line in front.
Next Best
Race 1 – 
#4 Coriolis (4)
3yo Filly | T: James Cummings | J: James McDonald (55kg)
$3 with Palmerbet
Best Value: Mezidon
Chris Waller has multiple runners in the second race of the program; however, we feel we’re yet to see the best of Mezidon and looks a great each-way bet on the card. His trials prior to his first up performance were outstanding and we’re happy to put a pen through his debut on January 4. Nash Rawiller had no where to go on this son of Siyouni and produced what was essentially another barrier trial in behind Mad Darcey. He finished 5.9 lengths off the eventual winner under zero riding, so just pretend he never went around and think of this as his first up assignment. He draws a little awkwardly in barrier 11, but we aren’t concerned; so long as jockey Jay Ford can find cover throughout this 1400m contest, Mezidon will be finishing off well enough to win.
Best Value
Race 2 – 
#4 Mezidon (11)
5yo Gelding | T: Chris Waller | J: Jay Ford (59kg)
$7.50 with Betfair
Warwick Farm quaddie tips for Australia Day 2023
Warwick Farm quadrella selections
Thursday, January 26, 2023
- 1-4-5-7-10
- 4-13-14
- 1-2-5
- 4-5-12-13
Investment: $180 for 100%
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