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By Ray Hickson

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

2. Captain Stardust needs to jump with them but if he does he has the turn of foot not many in this race have shown to date. Beaten favourite at Gosford but bombed the start there, then ran his last 600m in 35.57 (Punter's Intelligence) or two lengths faster than any other, and has good form around his debut run. Chance to break through here.

Dangers: 1. Frosty Rocks responded to going under pressure early in the straight to kick back and run second at Randwick up to 1400m though still safely held. Expect he’ll be on the pace here and that will give him every hope. 4. War Baron should have finished closer in the same race as Frosty Rocks last start but how much closer is up for debate. He took a fair while to wind up once he was clear so while 1580m suits he may want even further. 6. Tisane raced handy on debut and was run down at Wyong over 1350m. Better for that run and bred to appreciate a bit more ground so worth including in the chances.

How to play it: Captain Stardust WIN ($4.40 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: EVENS

Captain Stardust runs second at Gosford on July 27

3. Seeingisbelieving now has three wins and four seconds from seven runs this preparation and while drawn the outside his on pace style will see him take care of that gate quickly. Had his chance in similar race last start but only narrowly beaten and he will be in the finish again.

Dangers: 1. Monasterio probably leads them as he did over the mile at Warwick Farm last week. Didn’t settle all that well there but backing up is a good sign. If left alone he could take plenty of catching. 5. Snippetspeed was prominent all the way at 2200m last week and battled on well. Coming back 300m probably helps and once again he’s drawn nicely. Only has to hold his form to be somewhere in the finish. 4. Decroux found plenty under strong riding to win at Kembla last start. A bit more depth here but racing well and the small field suits.

How to play it: Seeingisbelieving WIN ($3.10 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Seeingisbelieving runs second at Canterbury on July 24

14. Colada appeals at a bit of odds first-up as a gelding off a very nice late closing trial. He had excuses at his last two starts before a spell and was favourite in a very strong maiden at Rosehill in February when stuck wide. A good each-way chance fresh.

Dangers: 4. Rome cane be forgiven for failing on a heavy 10 before a break and his past two first-up runs would have him right in the mix of this with placings at Group 3 level. Only trial this prep was sound, he has gate one and is a logical threat. 7. Bellarine is an interesting first starter from the Waller camp who has won her past two trials, with a gap in between, impressively from on the speed. Market some guide to her but a cheeky debut wouldn’t shock. 12. Deference had his chance as an odds-on favourite at Bendigo last month but the scratchings have aided his cause and he should be included.

How to play it: Colada E/W ($9.00 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: EVENS.

Colada’s trial at Warwick Farm on July 26

2. Moana Jewel looks ideally placed to atone for a luckless second in a similar race two weeks ago. Bailed up three back on the fence to the turn then had to concede a couple of lengths to get clear before she charged to miss by half a length. Senior rider on and is very hard to beat.

Dangers: 3. Monegal finished a close third in the same race as Moana Jewel and meets her better at the weights, but that said the second horse should have beaten her by much further. She has gate one and the claim and is a consistent mare so she’s one of the main chances again. 4. Positive Peace has regained some consistency at the provincials of late and she’ll press forward to get onto the speed again here. If she happens to be allowed to dictate she can give a sight. 1. Seles was placed behind Phaistos and Cinquedea two starts back the ran on without threatening at Rosehill. Back a notch in grade and on the run two back she has to be respected.

How to play it: Moana Jewel WIN ($3.10 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Moana Jewel runs second at Canterbury on July 24

2. Metamorphic doesn’t handle a heavy track so to be beaten 4.6 lengths in a much stronger race last start is a solid effort. Loves Canterbury and should have won here first-up, finds a race with enough tempo on paper to give him his chance and has Hugh Bowman to steer.

Dangers: 4. Superbowl Sunday led throughout to a clear win when resuming at Kembla and while up in class he is a progressive type who likes to lead and he’ll have plenty of time to get across from the fairest starting point at Canterbury. No surprise if he’s hard to run down. 12. Havin’ Fun finished alongside Mandela at Randwick last start which isn’t bad form and she beat a subsequent winner here at her second start. Takes on all comers which will be a test but drawn to sit handy and have her chance if she’s good enough. Read trainer John Sargent's comments here. 9. Touch Of Minkhad good support first-up and found the line well from a long way back at Warwick Farm. Might need 1400m or so now but more than capable.

How to play it: Metamorphic E/W ($5.00 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Metamorphic runs third at Canterbury in May

1. Bombarding was beaten out of sight when resuming on a heavy track where he drew wide and wasn’t able to get near the lead. Previous good track form is more than good enough to suggest he can improve sharply as his trials suggest he could.

Dangers: 2. Roosevelt is another back after being gelded so all eyes will be on how he performs. His trial behind Sylvia’s Mother was okay without being awesome though his form as a colt was patchy. A bit like God Of Thunder he can win this if he gets it right. 8. Military Academy rarely runs a bad race and that was the case last time in with six top three finishes from eight runs. Trialled twice and finds James McDonald for this race. Well worth including. 6. Calabasas has been a bit frustrating with just one win from 14 starts but he is generally not too far away. Led all the way to his trial win on July 26, drawn well so has a show.

How to play it: Bombarding E/W ($9.00 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Bombarding runs third in a trial at Randwick on July 30

3. Flying Pierro made his run in the inferior ground last start so he didn’t do such a bad job running into fourth in a similar race to this. He was a drifter there but drawn two and gains Hugh Bowman so expecting him to be much harder to beat this time.

Dangers: 10. Aristograts made his run with Flying Pierro and was just edged out for fourth in that race so he has to be given plenty of respect. He was a $41 chance there but both recent runs have been good so he’s a contender. 4. McMahon finished ahead of both my top two last start but he had all the favours following the fence which was the place to be. Race will probably pan out differently for him from a wide gate but it looks the right form line so he’s in the mix. 1. Silent Explorer dictated to win here two back then no match in a stronger event at Rosehill after leading. There’s some chance he could get control here and if he does that makes him capable of winning.

How to play it: Flying Pierro E/W ($3.80 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Flying Pierro, Aristograts and McMahon all come through a race at Canterbury on July 24

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