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By Ray Hickson

Tips and race by race preview by Ray Hickson for Wednesday’s Canterbury meeting. Selections based on a good track.

8. Makarena put the writing on the wall with a promising debut second behind Nadal at Kensington and her last 200m suggested the extra ground will be a plus. Assuming she’s come on from that she has a good chance to go one better.

Dangers: 10. Countyourblessings was a heavily supported odds-on favourite on debut at Wyong and she was no match for the winner who controlled the race in front. Still ran on well and she could easily improve sharply. 1. Ostraka was run down by a smart one in Celestial Legend back in May at this track then given a break. Fitter for two trials. Any support would be significant as he’s been solid in the market in both starts to date. 11. Reasonable drifted in the betting at her first start at Hawkesbury but found the line quite well into second from the back of the field. Softer draw might see her sit closer and she’s worth including.

How to play it: Makarena WIN ($1.95 TAB Fixed Odds).

Makarena runs second at Kensington on August 23

3. State Of America has come back in great order and appreciated the step up in trip when scoring easily at Hawkesbury third-up. Has some versatility to offset the outside gate but he’s in peak form at the moment and this level is within his reach. Hard to beat.

Dangers: 2. Two Big Fari could get some on pace favours here and he showed he’s racing well with a game second under 61.5kg in the Narromine Cup. Run in this class prior was solid and he can give a sight. 1. Travelling Kate did a bit of early work to sit outside the lead at Rosehill last time but weakened right out of it. She’s better than that as her win there prior shows and she also scored over this course three runs back. Must give another chance. 4. Lyrical Lady was only warming up at the finish of a mile when resuming at Wyong so she will appreciate the extra ground. Last win was at 2000m at Hawkesbury and from the inside gate she has a strong case.

How to play it: State Of America WIN ($3.10 TAB Fixed Odds).

State Of America wins at Hawkesbury on September 3

5. Byron Belle can rebound from a failure in the Mona Lisa second-up where she was never in it after drawing wide and going back. First-up effort was solid and back in this class with the inside alley she has every chance to find her form again.

Dangers: 2. Dimaggio had his chance in front at Kensington last time but boxed on well behind Amor Victorious there. Fairly consistent type who will roll forward and if he gets the right run is capable of breaking through. 3. Convincebility followed two easy country wins with a handy effort behind Strombus at Kensington when up to 1400m. Up in distance again here but he likes to race on speed and if he’s able to dictate he’ll be right in the finish. 6. River Snitty won well first-up at Hawkesbury then settled back again and ran on okay without threatening at Kensington beaten just under three lengths. Placed up to 1800m last time in so include with the step up in trip.

How to play it: Byron Belle WIN ($5.00 TAB Fixed Odds).

Byron Belle’s first-up run at Randwick on August 19

If 10. Kundalini is the same horse from her two starts earlier this year she should take beating despite a tricky draw. Run down by Don Corleone on debut then game third in the Inglis Millennium to Learning To Fly. Fitter for two trials and has to be the horse to beat.

Dangers: 11. Lost had no favours at all on debut at Kensington, sitting back and wide and making a long run before boxing on for fourth behind Nadal. Started favourite there and the winner has gone on to perform well at Group level. Well worth another chance. 7. Profound Benefit is a curious runner. Part-owned by former trainer in WA and sent to Chris Waller having won a trial at Lark Hill a few weeks ago. Any support would be interesting. 3. Groundrush moved well in his trial win at Rosehill last week, a big improvement on his first from a year ago. Another to keep an eye on.

How to play it: Kundalini WIN ($1.95 TAB Fixed Odds).

Kundalini’s latest trial at Randwick on August 25

4. Sweet Baby Boom took improvement from her first-up run to lead all the way at Kensington three weeks ago off a wide gate. Claim and inside gate are pluses for her and she may get some control up front. If that’s the case she’ll take running down.

Dangers: 1. Tashi is the logical danger after her very easy win in a similar race a month ago. She does go up 2.5kg but Nash rides and if she can handle the weight she might be too good again. 8. Greece had a boom on her as a younger horse and hasn't quite lived up to it. She'll find this easier than her last start, which wasn't a bad effort, at Listed company back in March. Keep in mind. 5. Arale has an honest record and did start last campaign off quite well. Will need some luck from the outside gate but the scratchings have helped a little. Each-way.

How to play it: Sweet Baby Boom WIN ($3.00 TAB Fixed Odds).

Sweet Baby Boom wins at Kensington on August 23

4. Vindication gets the blinkers on after his close up fourth in a Midway at Randwick third-up. Runner-up in a strong form race before that and with a bit of speed on paper here he might get the right run and launch at them late. Go well.

Dangers: 3. Biographer led all the way to score over 1000m at Kensington last time out but won’t find the lead this time you’d think. Was effective from off the pace at Gosford three starts back and is racing so well he’s hard to ignore. 1. Xpresso raced on speed and battled on okay when fourth behind Xtravagant Star at Rosehill. Was in the market there second-up and drops a notch in grade. Will give himself every hope up on the speed. 12. Untouchable Legend looked good winning second-up in a maiden then thrown into the San Domenico and didn’t fire. Bit easier here and could easily improve.

How to play it: Vindication E/W ($12 TAB Fixed Odds).

Vindication runs fourth at Randwick on August 19

2. Huon has run a couple of cheeky races this time in and the latest fourth at Randwick last month was another example. Back in class, blinkers off and drawn well. With a few key scratchings he has his best chance of late to figure in the finish.

Dangers: 14. Capital Heart tried to lead all the way and only just failed when swamped by Stanislaus at Gosford second-up off a maiden win. Drawn to be prominent and has to be considered. 13. McHale wasn't fancied in betting at his only start but he did a big job to weave through from last and win here on debut in July. Comes through a strong trial and is one to keep safe. 12. The Swooper tried hard from on speed but was no match for Whinchat here a month ago. May be working up to a win so stays under notice.

How to play it: Huon E/W ($8.50 TAB Fixed Odds).

Huon runs fourth at Randwick on August 19

All the fields, form and replays for Wednesday’s Canterbury meeting