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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 soft track.

7. Morioka has shaped up well in both starts, running on from near the back into third. Trialled again after her placing here two weeks ago, seems to handle all conditions and should be hard to hold out.

Dangers: 8. Socialist had support and just failed behind Xtremetime, with Morioka third, here second-up at her first run on a good track. Solid enough in the wet fresh, with any luck from the barrier is one of the main chances. 3. Diamond Falls is worth keeping safe on debut on the back of quite a nice trial win at Gosford a month ago. In good hands and drawn well so if there’s any support it could be significant. 2. Contentedly has some wet track experience and resumes in blinkers after two trials. Could give a sight.

How to play it: Morioka WIN ($2.60 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Morioka runs third at Canterbury on April 21

10. Overmann has always trialled like a smart horse and gets to show it here after an eye-catching first-up fourth two weeks ago where he settled well back in an on pace dominated race and charged to be beaten two lengths. Expect him to be closer here and harder to stop.

Dangers: 6. Cape Breton shares his name with a Group 3 winning stayer of just over a decade ago. This fellow is on debut for Chris Waller and there was plenty to like about his latest trial a week ago where he lengthened nicely into second in a 900m heat. Respect. 3. Astrologer was tried in some good races in his first prep and wasn’t disgraced. Had his chance to run down Cork Harbour here first-up but stayed on. Fitter and capable of being in the finish again. 5. Best Side has led and been run down in both starts this time in. Latest behind Aslav at Hawkesbury three weeks ago, form hasn’t held up from that race as yet and while he has blinkers and gate one probably only a place chance.

How to play it: Overmann WIN ($2.60 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: EVENS.

Overmann runs fourth at Canterbury on April 21

3. Pascal is an interesting first starter in a very winnable race. Trialled well back in January on soft ground then nice effort at Rosehill last week running into third in a 900m heat. Drawn a bit sticky but if there’s support he might be the one.

Dangers: 2. Magic Ruler has been gelded since his two starts in February where he managed a second at Newcastle in the best of them. Comes through the same trial as Pascal, finishing half a length ahead, and is a logical danger. 1. Barrichello is a bit of a market watch on debut from the Waller stable after a couple of trials on the synthetic at Warwick Farm in April. They’re hard to read at the best of times and he didn’t exactly stand out. 6. Lucky To Win has had his chances of late but the blinkers go on here and that could spark some improvement.

How to play it: Pascal WIN ($3.50 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Pascal runs third in a trial at Rosehill on April 27

8. Zelify improved sharply on her first-up flop at Gosford to win at Kembla, digging in when challenged to score well. She’s a bit hit and miss with two wins and no placings from seven starts but in the small field will have her chance.

Dangers: 1. Kookabaa won a similar race to this back in August last year and wasn’t disgraced second-up beaten half a length here two weeks ago. No surprise if he’s right in the finish. 3. Shadow Bridge disappointed as favourite at Hawkesbury last start, close up on a heavy at Kensington prior and if he gets control could take running down. 5. Calescent led all the way to win first-up at Canberra before a fair run at Orange. Wet no worries with her so has a show.

How to play it: Zelify WIN ($2.30 TAB Fixed Odds).

Zelify wins at Kembla on April 17

6. Lennon is going to be a big improver on what was a nice hidden run first-up at 1100m. Lost touch on the turn then finished better than anything to be beaten 2.5 lengths. Extra trip a plus, draws better and can sit closer as he did winning second-up last prep beating Exoboom.

Dangers: 3. Bethencourt was reported to have jarred up after failing as favourite at Kensington back in October so happy to forgive that. Both recent trials have been handy, sting out of the ground should assist and he’s shown promise. Respect. 4. Crosscheck has a win over Great News against her name before a spell and she’s changed stables to Gary Moore. Both trials have been quiet so betting might be a guide. Handles all conditions so could run a nice race fresh. 8. Sahra ran on from last into third when resuming at Gosford in an even enough return. Likes a wet track so keep an eye on conditions, draws kinder and drops 3.5kg.

How to play it: Lennon WIN ($4.60 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Lennon's first-up run at Canterbury on April 21

2. Raptures won at double figure odds last time at Newcastle but this doesn’t look any harder. Found a good spot from a tricky gate there and finished too well, up 2kg for it but drawn ideally and a soft track shouldn’t worry. Can run well in a wide open race.

Dangers: 4. My Delight comes through the same race as Raptures where she ran fourth as favourite after settling near the tail. Finished strongly to win a maiden here a month ago at her second start and is in the mix. 10. Savagery also contested the Newcastle event and ran an even fifth second-up from a spell. My Delight did run past him but otherwise he held his ground. Expect he'll be better for it and is a likely improver. 16. Arabolini has struck form at his past couple at Gosford and Newcastle racing on the speed and boxing on well. All wins have been on wet ground so if he gets those conditions he could give cheek again.

How to play it: Raptures E/W ($4.00 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: EVENS.

Raptures wins at Newcastle on April 22

9. Media Starguest is racing consistently and finds a similar task to his last start second at this track two weeks ago. The winner of that race has since run well. Can land handy in his races and best effort this prep was on soft ground so an extra tick if the going suits.

Dangers: 12. Rules Don’t Apply improved sharply second-up, as her form suggests she does, to score an upset win over this course two weeks ago. Handles all conditions and has to be considered. 3. Gemmahra was very tough winning a Provincial Qualifier at Hawkesbury then five weeks between runs into the Final and she wasn’t effective. Rarely runs a bad one so have to forgive that effort. 5. Kutayha raced consistently last preparation extending out to 2400m before a spell. Trip suits fresh and gets an economical run from the inside. Keep in mind.

How to play it: Media Starguest E/W ($4.60 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Media Starguest runs second at Canterbury on April 21

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