3 minute read

Divine Sanction looks an excellent each way chance to continue his progression through the grades at Warwick Farm.

The son of Teofilo contests the Tab.com.au Benchmark 67 Handicap (1600m) following a strong first up success over 1400m at Kembla Grange 18 days ago.

Under the guidance of Jeff Penza, the gelding settled back in the field before producing a long sustained run down the outside to win by 1.3 lengths.

It was a highly encouraging effort by the three-year-old who produced it first up over 1400m against the older horses.

Divine Sanction took time to wind up last start however was impressive once he clicked into gear and produced a Timeform rating of 87 in the process.

This figure comes in two pounds shy of the master figure he ran to on debut when second over 1550m at Canterbury last December.

With added fitness second up, rising to a mile and knowing he is capable of better performances judging by his debut run, all signs point to a big showing from Divine Sanction in Wednesday’s tab.com.au Benchmark 67 Handicap.

Bigger and better things could ensue for the three-year-old who has seemingly been brought back just in time for a Brisbane Winter Carnival preparation.

Markets as of Wednesday morning suggest the final event of the day at Warwick Farm is an open sort of contest.

High in betting along with Divine Sanction is the Joe Pride-trained New Tipperary.

The gelding hit the ground running first up with a Class 1 success over 1350m at Newcastle 13 days ago.

His effort on that occasion returned a Timeform rating of 85.

The gelding like Divine Sanction is another lightly-raced type open to improvement who will appreciate a distance rise second run from a spell.

If Divine Sanction fails to fire, Eschiele shapes as an excellent Plan B for the stable.

Eschiele has won two of his three starts this campaign, the latest over 1350m at Wyong.

His best runs this campaign have each been on rain affected ground which won’t be the conditions this afternoon and furthermore he is also untried at the mile.

That said, he is drawn to receive all of the favours in transit from barrier 2 and the 3kg claim of Andrew Adkins is also used to good effect.

Not A Gypsy will look to put a forgettable first up assignment behind him 21 days late.

The son of Not A Single Doubt never really found clear running room over 1300m at this course three weeks ago.

With even luck and added fitness second up, the Team Snowden-trained runner can play a role in the finish considering the strength of his form last campaign.

The recurring theme above is sticking with the more lightly-raced types in the final event of the day at Warwick Farm with their more seasoned rivals not looking open to much improvement on latest form.

Of these lightly-raced three-year-old types, Divine Sanction shapes as the most promising.