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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.

7. Amelita showed some promise in her first preparation back in the late autumn but looks to have come back a bit better based on her two trial wins. She did it easily winning the latest of them at Randwick and if that transfers to race day she will be hard to beat.

Dangers: 1. Eton was a $1.55 million buy being out of former topline mare English and there’s been nothing wrong with what he’s produced in two trials. Won the first then found himself a long way back before working home into second behind Amelita. Respect. 10. Jellicious split Clean Energy and Lady Shenandoah at her debut in May on a heavy 10. Two trials have been handy and with gate one is a big chance. 4. Marais hasn’t missed a place in five starts and bumped into the promising Harlem Queen, who has won again since, at Newcastle two weeks ago. Has claims.

How to play it: Amelita WIN ($3.20 TAB Fixed Odds).

Amelita wins a Randwick trial on August 30

6. Mergeila debuted in a strong Saturday race when third behind Mayfair back in July and she held her ground okay there. Freshened up and trialled well enough, with an inside gate she’ll get every chance to be in the finish.

Dangers: 1. Excelindeed went under as a $1.28 chance when run down at Wyong first-up. Blinkers go on and did place in two starts here back in February. Rolls forward and capable of improvement. 3. Esphino tackled Listed races at both starts, finishing midfield, and was wound up to win his latest trial at Randwick last week. One to keep an eye on here. 7. Cashburn has found the line with purpose in her latest two trials, which has been an improvement on her previous showings. Draws okay and wouldn’t surprise if she gave some cheek.

How to play it: Mergeila WIN ($2.15 TAB Fixed Odds).

Mergeila runs third in a Rosehill trial on September 5

3. Need Some Luck returns as a gelding and strikes a race that looks to be run to suit him on paper. Winner over this course back in June on a soft track and was asked to win his most recent trial which he did quite well. Should take holding out.

Dangers: 1. Deprivation looked to have his chance in front at Warwick Farm second-up and was run down late by Sir Artie. Back 50m here and if he gets any peace on the speed will be hard to run down. 4. Edited By improved on his first-up effort to score an easy win at Wyong when well supported. Came from off the speed there but may be a little closer from the draw. 8. Magic Shadow jumps in class off a nice maiden win at Newcastle two weeks ago. Showing some promise and while this is harder he's worth some thought.

How to play it: Need Some Luck WIN ($2.00 TAB Fixed Odds).

Need Some Luck wins a Randwick trial on September 9

5. I Am The Empire has been thereabouts without winning of late and comes back a notch after a solid third at Rosehill a few weeks back. Winner of that race has since won again. Tricky draw but only has to hold form to be somewhere in the finish.

Dangers: 7. Newfoundland is an interesting runner first-up since being a beaten favourite over this course back in December. Import fitter for two trials and any support would be significant. 3. Line Of Fire got the job done under 61kg when an all the way winner over a mile at Wyong third-up from a long break. Can only be peaking now and should be in this for a long way. 2. Unlimited had cardiac arrhythmia when finishing last at Randwick almost a month ago so forgive that. Handy placing there over a mile second-up and is entitled to another chance.

How to play it: I Am The Empire EACH-WAY ($6.50 TAB Fixed Odds).

I Am The Empire runs third at Rosehill on August 31

4. Sweysive was up 300m in trip third-up and that might have just been against him as he was out-toughed by High Dandy in a similar race here three weeks ago. Gets a perfect run in this race from the draw and is a good chance.

Dangers: 9. Just Glamourous led all the way to a maiden win first-up from 18 months off then solid on speed when run down at Warwick Farm. Up in distance and class here but sure to give a good account on the pace. 6. Little Jeanie hit the line nicely when resuming with a solid third in the same race at Warwick Farm. A little better off at the weights and the extra ground is only in her favour. Definite chance. 1. Glounthaune ran a much improved race third-up when runner-up to Gold Pattern at the Farm after leading. Imagine he has to push forward again and is in the mix.

How to play it: Sweysive WIN ($5.50 TAB Fixed Odds).

Sweysive runs second at Canterbury on August 28

8. Fire Star had plenty of excuses when fifth at Kensington last week so he’s well worth forgiving on the back up. Had a nice run before being checked back through the field but he picked up again late to make some ground. He could easily bounce back with a bit of luck.

Dangers: 4. Boston Rocks is the logical threat coming back from Saturday grade where he was just nailed for second behind Briasa at Rosehill. Not far off Our Kobison before that. Nicely drawn and has to be respected. 3. Shines resumes with an easy trial win under his belt. Didn’t win one last prep in six starts but wasn’t far away and he’s likely to be competitive here. 9. Eye Pea Oh has been hitting the line well behind Bonita Queen into a placing at her last two and if the speed is on here she’ll be doing the same again.

How to play it: Fire Star WIN ($4.00 TAB Fixed Odds).

Fire Star runs fifth at Kensington on September 11

1. Countyourblessings impressed with her first-up win in a similar race three weeks ago. Can only be fitter for it and gets in with 0.5kg with the claim. Potential for a slower run race here but she’s drawn well and should be hard to beat.

Dangers: 6. Seascape got the job done narrowly here three weeks ago in a Benchmark 64 but drops 2.5kg and comes up with gate one again. Sure to be competitive. 7. Alvina’s Luck has been racing well and wasn’t disgraced running second to Countyourblessings last time out. Just one win from 11 now but she won’t be far away. 10. Killcare Beachgirl won on debut at Wyong in March then thrown into the Fernhill and beaten 4-1/4 lengths by Broadsiding. Trials don’t tell us much which is unusual for the stable but returns in blinkers and stays under notice as she may get some control.

How to play it: Countyourblessings WIN ($3.60 TAB Fixed Odds).

Countyourblessings wins at Canterbury on August 28

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