3 minute read
Tips and race by race preview by Ray Hickson for Wednesday’s Kensington meeting. Selections based on a soft to heavy track.
Race 1 - 12:50PM JAMES SQUIRE HANDICAP (1150 METRES)
7. I Found You has been scratched or balloted a couple of times but should finally step out from a perfect gate. She's the $1.3m half-sister to Deep Field and Shooting To Win and her latest public trial a month ago on soft 7 was excellent beating Broadsiding. Gets her chance to make a winning debut.
Dangers: 6. Bella Corazon could be something of a danger after a sound first-up performance at Canterbury running on late behind Tehina. Madrina was runner-up there and she's since won on a Saturday. Go well. 3. Kilbady is an interesting debutante who has won both trials, one in September and the other a few weeks ago, in pretty good style. Benefit of the 3kg claim and she could show up. 4. Choice Legend was a shade disappointing when placed behind Equipage at Hawkesbury first-up though only beaten 1.2 lengths. Placed in three of five and is one of the chances again.
How to play it: I Found You WIN ($1.70 TAB Fixed Odds).
Race 2 - 1:25PM TAB HANDICAP (1150 METRES)
2. Mostro only had the one start in the spring and while he was beaten four lengths it was by Arctic Glamour and he held the rest comfortably. Fitter for a couple of trials and should land on the speed here without too much trouble. Has upside and should run well.
Dangers: 6. Everybody Rise debuted with a fair third at Rosehill back in November behind Spywire, fading after sitting outside the winner. Had an autumn carnival prep but didn't race and trialled twice more in the lead up to this. Strong under some riding to win the latest. Keep safe. 8. Scorching Legend was runner-up in that trial and certainly wasn't asked for nearly as much after leading. Question mark over the wide gate but stays under notice. 10. Railway Man was asked to extend late in his second trial and did that quite well to just miss. Disappointed on debut as favourite but had a smoother prep for this one and could be a big improver.
How to play it: Mostro WIN ($4.80 TAB Fixed Odds).
Race 3 - 2:00PM HYLAND RACE COLOURS HANDICAP (2400 METRES)
1. Father's Day showed he's close to a win with a gutsy second-up effort at Randwick, run down late by Golden Path. Down in class and has to concede 3.5kg or more to all his rivals but last two wins have been at this trip, including one here, and should take running down.
Dangers: 3. Awesome Wonder was held up for a run early in the straight before closing off okay into fourth at Randwick two weeks ago. Month between runs going into that so fitter, and it comes down to how much start she's giving the top weight. Logical danger. 2. Hiawatha has been thereabouts though seemed to have his chance when fifth in the same race as Awesome Wonder and meets her on the same weight terms. Will likely race handy here and has a case. 7. Kadavar is back from a Queensland campaign where he wasn't a factor in the Rough Habit Plate last start. Form is mixed but lightly weighted and drawn to do no work. Could lift.
How to play it: Father's Day WIN ($3.10 TAB Fixed Odds).
Race 4 - 2:35PM TOYOTA FORKLIFTS PLATE (1400 METRES)
3. Major Look ran a more than acceptable race first-up at 1200m behind a dominant leader. Hit the line pretty well when he got into clear air and the step up in trip looks to suit. Drifter in betting too so will be fitter and drawn to trail. Should be competitive.
Dangers: 9. Cheergal didn't settle at all well when beaten here first-up on a heavy track then run down by a handy one at Hawkesbury when favourite. We'll see if the fresh effort was due to the wet or otherwise here. Good chance. 12. Jawharat Dubai is going to be popular with James McDonald taking the ride. Every hope when placed here two runs back then looked the winner only to be run down late at Newcastle. Blinkers and J-Mac on so you can't do much more than that. Has to be respected. 11. Fair Maiden was solid in betting on debut at Canterbury where she did a bit of work when leading and dropped out. Was trialling too well prior to not give her another chance.
How to play it: Major Look EACH-WAY ($9.00 TAB Fixed Odds).
Race 5 - 3:10PM TRIPLE TIME @ DARLEY HANDICAP (1000 METRES)
8. Ballet D'Esprit is going to need a good ride from a tricky gate but there looks to be plenty of speed so she may be able to tuck in three wide with cover at worst. Easy maiden winner here in January and blew the start when placed at Canterbury before a spell. Trialling well. Just needs luck.
Dangers: 13. Art Volant was quite impressive coming from off the pace to win a maiden at Hawkesbury first-up at this trip and might well be suited by the likely speed. Has to take that step on a wetter track but not underselling. 5. Rebel Dean was placed in a Midway in February before a midfield finish in the same grade at 1100m. Resumes with no public trials but imagine he's jumped out, also drawn wide but could be an ambusher late. 7. Apic Run is two from two at Goulburn and showed a lot of fight to stave off a challenge there jumping from a maiden to a Class 2. Likely leads from the inside gate and it comes down to pressure applied to him at this level as to whether he can step up.
How to play it: Ballet D'Esprit WIN ($3.60 TAB Fixed Odds).
Race 6 - 3:45PM HEADWATER @ VINERY STUD HANDICAP (1400 METRES)
6. Zouphoria ran an even race at 1200m when resuming but this is more her style back a notch in grade and up to 1400m. Won twice at this trip last prep including a big maiden win second-up. Should land on the speed here and be hard to beat.
Dangers: 1. Ningaloo Star controlled and romped in over 1250m here on a heavy two starts ago then back in trip and boxed on fairly in a Midway at Rosehill. Rise in distance is in her favour and she can bounce back to form. 7. Emmadella has improved with each run this time in and tried hard when narrowly beaten at Kembla Grange third-up over this trip. Blinkers go on and gate on could be a plus. Keep in mind. 4. Cross The Rubicon loomed up when resuming and just weakened late when fourth at Warwick Farm. Fitter for that and has form around Zouphoria from last prep that says she stays under some notice.
How to play it: Zouphoria WIN ($3.90 TAB Fixed Odds).
Race 7 - 4:20PM ROBRICK LODGE HANDICAP (1400 METRES)
9. Pure Alpha was a sitting shot for his stablemate first-up at Warwick Farm and lost no admirers as he went down narrowly, fighting back late. Fitter for that, draws to stalk this time and maiden win was over this course beating a handy one. Capable of going one better.
Dangers: 1. Bunker Hut is an honest type who was runner-up to Little Cointreau at Canterbury in a typically game effort. Versatile and sure to run another good race. 16. Primo had a hard luck story at Canterbury last time when running last as favourite. Just had to do too much work after being unable to get in from an outside gate. Previous efforts are a better guide and he's entitled to another chance. 2. Green Shadows is more than capable on his day and while drawn wide he tends to get back and finish off strongly. If that's the pattern then he comes into play.
How to play it: Pure Alpha WIN ($2.40 TAB Fixed Odds).
