Warrnambool Racing Tips for October 1 – Black Peppermint the one to beat over the 3100m in Race 2

Here are our best bets from the meeting, which also feature in our daily selections.

Enchilada can improve when he steps out in the opener at Warrnambool. The Patrick Payne-trained colt has had just the one start, with that coming at Seymour when he botched the start, missing it by two lengths and being forced to settle last. The son of Pierro made up plenty of ground, but the damage had been done early and he had to settle for fifth position behind Zourain. He went five lengths slower than standard benchmark, which is the second-best figure produced by any horse in this race behind Endless Fury, while it is the best last-start figure of any runner in the field by more than three lengths. He should have improvement to come at his second career start and, if he jumps better, the three-year-old can knock over the older horses over the 1700m.

Black Peppermint should be hard to beat over the marathon 3100m journey. The eight-year-old carries 70kg in what is a Highweight Handicap but has a significant class edge on his rivals and has been in solid form in much stronger company. He was third at his most recent start at Geelong in a Benchmark 78 over 2400m, while his runs this campaign also include a runner-up finish at Caulfield over 1800m. His best form has generally come over longer journeys and he gets beyond 3000m for the first time since finishing runner-up at Moonee Valley last year. Expect him to settle just worse than midfield from barrier one, conserving plenty of energy, and if the clear air arrives at the right time he can run these down.

Moonraker shapes as a solid play in Race 5. The five-year-old has finished runner-up in three of his past four starts and has been a little unlucky in a couple of those. He was posted wide without cover throughout over 1100m at Warrnambool before his most recent start at Geelong, where he was slowly away before grinding home for fifth in Benchmark 66 company. He has been strong at the end of his races at his past few starts and gives every indication that the 1200m will suit. The son of Zoustar will need to be ridden for luck from barrier 11, but if he can swing out around the turn and make a long, sustained run, he can challenge them late.