Battle Hymn's quirks boost race potential | The Canberra Times

Battle Hymn. Picture by Bradley Photos.

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A record of three wins from four starts says Battle Hymn has his share of talent but it’s his off the track antics that has seen Bjorn Baker send him back to school.

In the lead up to his first-up win a month ago the gelding did some of his preparation at the Hawkesbury property of Baker’s racing manager Luke Hilton and his partner, jockey Rachel King.

And it’s been a similar story heading into the Hellbent @ Yarraman Park Handicap (1000m) at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.

“He’s a funny one, we’ve spend a bit of time re-educating him,” Hilton said.

“He’s got a few quirks. He’s spent some time out here with Rach doing a bit of schooling and equestrian stuff.

“His racing isn’t the problem, he puts his best foot forward on the racetrack but at home he can be a little challenging.”

Rachel King has the ride on Battle Hymn and Hilton said indications are the extra curricular activities are doing the job. Slowly.

In his first-up win, the half length margin looks relatively comfortable but he still made hard work of it.

“He flew the gates and landed in front then completely switched off, then was able to pick up and win again,” Hilton said.

“The ability is there, he’s still learning how to put races away and go on with the job.

“He’s been back at the stable for a week and had a gallop on Friday, he galloped really well.

“He’s striking a midweek race with near top weight so he’s got it all to do but he’s got a nice gate, good genuine speed, and he’s definitely not the finished product.”

Listed winning mare Dance To The Boom comes off a confidence boosting win earlier this month and will be out to back it up in the TAB Handicap (1300m).

The Gosford Guineas winner didn’t run up to expectation finishing midfield behind Idle Flyer second-up but an all the way win on the Kensington track two weeks ago has her racing for a return to Saturday company.

It’s unlikely the four-year-old will be asked to lead this time around in a bigger field but Hilton expects she’ll be in a striking position.

“Bjorn was happy to bring her back (to midweek) and give her a confidence boost,” he said.

“She’s had that and this race fell into a good path so we’ll try to get another one.

“She’s adaptable, I think first half is better for her. Hopefully there’ll be a little bit of cover there in the first half and leave it to Kerrin (McEvoy) to work it out.”

Tips and race by race preview by Ray Hickson for Wednesday’s Warwick Farm meeting

Selections based on a good track.

Race 1 – 2:15PM DRINKWISE PLATE (1300 METRES)

13. Miss Lola found herself a fair way back when resuming at this track a month ago but she did a good job to run into third and was fast closing on the runner-up at the line. Has an extra 100m this time, down a little in weight and is on the improve.

Dangers: 6. Onmalone gave a big sight in front when finding one better at Rosehill three weeks ago and the form has held up with the third horse winning since. He should be right on speed again and is a good chance. 9. Riez Souvent is a Lonhro gelding on debut for the Waller stable and he worked home okay into third in his latest trial. Market watch, he draws soft and McDonald rides. 3. Big Tiger is another first starter and comes off a Randwick trial win. Imagine he rolls forward from the wider alley and wouldn’t be leaving him out.

How to play it: Miss Lola WIN.

Race 2 – 2:50PM OZZMOSIS @ THE CHASE HANDICAP (1400 METRES)

1.Frosty Girl is a promising mare unbeaten in two starts in June and both were strong performances over 1300m. Small field might be interesting if there’s no speed injected but trip should suit, draws to be not too far away and she’s the one to beat.

Dangers: 6. Pictor is a stablemate of the favourite and promising in his own right. Produced a nice finish to beat subsequent stakes winner Panova at Kensington two weeks ago. No surprise if he goes on with it. 3. Alabama Fox was solid in betting when resuming at Kensington with an even fourth where she made some ground without threatening. Fitter and looks the other main chance. 7. Philatelic won on a heavy 10 in May and was rested after striking another heavy after that. Trial winner recently and given the small field isn’t out of it.

How to play it: Frosty Girl WIN.

Race 3 – 3:25PM KEENELAND NOVEMBER BREEDING STOCK SALE HANDICAP (1300 METRES)

8. Mamushka is bursting to win a race after three placings on end this time in. Bumped into an in-form one two starts back then sat wide on speed and battled on to hold second at Kensington. Takes on the boys but this looks well within reach with the promise of a softer run.

Dangers: 3. The Replicant continues to race well and while he only beat one home last start he didn’t get a shot at them at any stage. Narrowly beaten here prior to that and won’t be far away at the finish as usual. 9. Ivan’s Hero gets the blinkers on first time at start 36 and he was running on pretty well into third in the same race as The Replicant. Doesn’t win out of turn but an each-way chance. 1. Bartolf backed up an overdue win at Gosford with a nice third at Rosehill behind the in-form Golden Straand. Sure to be around the mark again.

How to play it: Mamushka WIN.

Race 4 – 4:00PM ASAHI SUPER DRY HANDICAP (1600 METRES)

7. Zenmaster has to be a good each-way chance at odds third-up after a fighting second to Brosnan over this course a month ago. Won a similar race back in February, will be somewhere near the speed and no surprise at all to see him thereabouts at the finish of a winnable race.

Dangers: 5. Hurstville Zagreb may have been in need of the run when he resumed earlier this month at this track and trip. Held ground okay into third there. Fitter so likely will improve and it’s just whether he wants further now. 14. Full Hao settled back in the field and worked home okay into fourth at Rosehill three weeks ago. Since trialled and the step up to the mile is a plus for her. Keep in mind. 4. Inncourt has the tricky barrier to overcome but did just that in scoring here a couple of weeks ago. Has done little wrong and must be considered.

How to play it: Zenmaster EACH-WAY.

Race 5 – 4:35PM ALL TOO HARD @ VINERY STUD HANDICAP (2110 METRES)

1. Captain Maverick tends to find one better as his five seconds from eight runs this time in illustrates but he gets another chance. Just cut down as favourite over a similar trip last time out after leading. Will be prominent and the one they have to stop.

Dangers: 6. Wounder has put in two solid efforts at 1800m of late and looks ready for the step up in trip. Has had her chance but this is not a harder race and she’s one of the main chances. 4. Call Me Magnifique ran on okay into fourth in the same race as Captain Maverick and he’ll be better for the run over the trip. Certainly a place chance at least. 3. Hammett rises in distance now after running a fair fourth over the mile earlier this month. He’s trialled since and if that trip is what he’s in need of then he’s in the mix here.

How to play it: Captain Maverick WIN.

Race 6 – 5:10PM HELLBENT @ YARRAMAN PARK HANDICAP (1000 METRES)

2. Battle Hymn has a good record of three wins from four starts and rises to BM72 for the first time after an on-pace win at Hawkesbury. Has a good on speed racing style, still on the way up and he should be competitive at the very least.

Dangers: 8. Lyles was honest through his preparation earlier in the year which should have kicked off with a win. Trialled up well, interesting booking of James McDonald will see him be popular and he’s a good chance. 12. Crepe Myrtle has her first run for Joe Pride having been a late scratching a week ago. Trialled a couple of times in the lead up and resumes after a Randwick win on Boxing Day. Check betting for a push. 6. Mailata hasn’t raced since a narrow Midway defeat in April and he did show some promise last time in. Should be no excuses from the draw and on the evidence of his trials he can run a handy race.

How to play it: Battle Hymn EACH-WAY.

Race 7 – 5:45PM TAB HANDICAP (1400 METRES)

8. Dance To The Boom was back to her best with an all the way win over a similar trip at Kensington two weeks ago. Takes on the boys now from a draw which should see her settle better than midfield and that gives her the chance to back up that latest win.

Dangers: 6. Winston Hills rarely runs a bad race and got the job done over this track and trip last time out after racing closer to the speed than usual. Ideally drawn on the inside and has to be respected. 11. Sydney Bowler worked to the line strongly into third at Kensington second-up in a race affected by a riderless horse. Getting fitter and looks a bit over the odds. 5. Peace Officer ran a nice race when resuming and can be forgiving of last time in an on speed dominated race. Placed all three runs here and is right in this on his best efforts.

How to play it: Dance to The Boom WIN

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