Trainer Peter Snowden likes what he has seen from both Johnny and Rivendell and only leans to the former based on his extra race experience when they clash at Warwick Farm.

Johnny kicked off his career with a smart win at Kembla on the first day of the new season and quickly followed up with two close second placings behind Shirvington at Wyong and Prestar on the Kensington.

“It was a nice horse who beat him the other day on the Kensington and he was only beaten an inch at Wyong before that,” said Snowden.

• PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet’s team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW!

“He’s a nice enough horse, very genuine but he is creeping up in the weights a bit.”

Johnny has 58.5kg while Rivendell has 57kg in the Benchmark 68 Handicap (1200m).

“He has drawn an okay barrier and this looks a nice race for him,” Snowden said.

“He is a bit more forward and has race fitness on his side so is a slightly better chance than Rivendell on that score.”

Rivendell started his career with a neck win from Artistic Venture on a heavy track at Wyong and is five-and-a-half weeks between runs.

“He’s a nice enough horse but is still very new and raw yet,” he said.

“When they are doing things wrong and still winning, that’s a good sign they are a bit above average.

“He ran time and beat a pretty sharp horse who won its maiden at its next start then came out and ran second in a Group 2 race last Saturday.”

Hurry Miss missed a place for the first time in her short career when fifth behind stablemate Tuilleries at Warwick Farm last start but a big weight drop can see her bounce back.

She carried 59kg in that race and drops to 54kg in the Benchmark 78 Handicap (1300m).

“She is very well weighted in this race so she gets a double tick I think,” Snowden said.

“I’m not too concerned about the barrier. There’s a long, straight run down the back with just the one corner and I think 1300 metres suits her better than 1200 (metres).”

Snowden was pleased to see Burj get back to winning form at Kembla recently and expects her to run well in the Benchmark 72 Handicap (1200m).

“She is up in the weights again but gets a couple of kilos off with Braith who won her maiden on her,” he said.

“She is in good form and is worth another shot in town.”

Originally published as Warwick Farm preview: Peter Snowden feels Johnny’s race fitness gives him the edge over stablemate Rivendell