3 minute read

The best bet looks set to come in the last at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.

A capacity field contests the Schweppes Benchmark 77 Handicap (1000m) where the favourite is the John O’Shea-trained Mesa.

The son of Lonhro contests the event off a strong first up win at Wyong where he settled just off the lead and proved a class above late.

It was an encouraging first up display from a gelding who has long shown promise.

Mesa finds a race on Wednesday where he can continue progressing through the grades.

The three-year-olds first up outing returned a Timeform rating of 88, nine pounds shy of a master figure of 97 he ran to earlier in the season.

It highlights the fact there is substantial room for improvement with the gelding second run from a spell.

James McDonald rides with Blake Shinn partnering stablemate Orujo.

Godolphin Australia’s #1 rider electing Mesa over Orujo can be considered a positive lead.

From barrier 11, expect them to work across and settle in just behind what should be a strong early tempo.

Stablemate Orujo shapes as an excellent Plan B.

The gelding was fair on resuming over 1000m at Wyong and will have no doubt taken benefit from the run.

His second up record is solid while he has placed in three of his four starts at this course.

Corryvreckan has been a model of consistency this campaign having placed in his past four outings.

The son of Magic Albert is holding form well and stays under notice.

That said, he is in the midst of a winning drought which is closing in on two years.

Donelle has been solid enough through her three starts this campaign.

She should be around peak fitness fourth up and the booking of Hugh Bowman is a positive.

It’s Mesa however who can continue his progression through the grades in Wednesday’s Schweppes Benchmark 77 Handicap (1000m) at Warwick Farm.