Promising freshman primed for return

SENT for a well-earned break following his feature win last August, promising freshman Warrawee Way Back will make his racing return at Club Menangle today.

Prepared by astute trainer Simon Bigeni, Warrawee Way Back captured the $50,000 Nutrien Gold Crown Graduate Sale Final in Bathurst, with the victory doubling as the horseman’s biggest success.

After being caught three-back along the pegs from his inside of the second row draw, Warrawee Way Back was brilliantly weaved through traffic by Bigeni’s son Jake to score in 1:56.5 over 1730 metres.

Owned by Timothy McCracken, the two-year-old boasts an impressive record of three wins from five starts.

“We are absolutely thrilled with him,” Simon said. “He has come a long way in a short time and gives the sense he will keep improving.

“He did a great job during his last campaign and we’re confident he can pick up where he left off.”

With Bigeni setting his sights on another feature, Warrawee Way Back will begin his quest by competing over 1609 metres.

Bigeni is priming the son of Warrawee Needy for the Breeders’ Challenge Blue series, which begins with heats at Club Menangle on November 9.

“The time off has served him well,” Bigeni said. “He’s brightened right up, put on a bit of condition and is feeling terrific.

“He’s got the Breeders’ Blue in a couple of weeks, so this run will do him the world of good.”

To be driven by Jake, Warrawee Way Back is the widest drawn in the field of nine, with the gelding heading into the sprint on the back of two eye-catching trials.

Bigeni will also be represented by Playboy Rocky, which will begin from barrier six with another of his sons, Kayton, in the cart.

Like Warrawee Way Back, Playboy Rocky is first-up from a long break.

Returning from a spell with a handy win in Goulburn last week, Vedmid Stride shapes as the main danger from barrier seven.

In what doubled as his debut for veteran trainer Darren Binskin, Vedmid Stride worked to the lead from gate seven before scoring in 1:55.1 over 1710 metres.

On the topic of debuts, Madam Sass shapes as an interesting runner from the pole.

Making the trip north for Victorian horsewoman Courtney Laker, Madam Sass enters her maiden trip to the races on the strength of two trial wins.