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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.

3. California Sunrise looks well suited on the back up from a solid second at Warwick Farm last week. Hit the front on the turn and was left a sitting shot. Drawn to stalk a good speed here and should take holding out.

Dangers: 8. Mountain Top comes off a dominant maiden win first-up at Newcastle and jumps straight to the 1550m. Placed over this course back in November so the trip will suit. Include in the main chances. 2. It’s A Knockout is also a last start maiden winner having led all the way at Kensington three weeks ago at 1400m. Might have more competition for the front here so we’ll see how she adapts. 1. Star Diesel has been giving a good sight in front at his past couple only to be run down late. Steps up 200m on Wyong placing last time but has gate one to give him every chance.

How to play it: California Sunrise WIN ($3.40 TAB Fixed Odds).

California Sunrise runs second at Warwick Farm on July 31

14. Motcombs appeals at an each-way price on debut in what looks a wide open race. Plenty to like about how she stoked up late in her second trial suggesting there’s some ability in the locker. Drawn well and 1200m suits. Chance if she runs up to the trial.

Dangers: 7. Listentozou has won two trials leading into this preparation and she stays under notice given her efforts early in last campaign. Sound third to Franz Josef at the start of that prep. Can run well. 10. Behaviour is a well bred colt who cost $1.6 million as a yearling. Cuddled in the latest trial when finishing last at Rosehill a couple of weeks ago in a hitout that gave little away about his talent. Watch betting. 8. Axius led and boxed on okay on debut when runner-up at Kensington three weeks ago. Will have some work to do from the wide gate but rather include than dismiss.

How to play it: Motcombs EACH-WAY ($34 TAB Fixed Odds).

Motcombs runs third in a Warwick Farm trial on July 15

4. Misty Legend bounced back to his best with a runaway first-up win at Wyong and has the chance to back that up here. Didn’t appear to come up last time in but form is otherwise quite good. Should get his chance to repeat.

Dangers: 8. After Match basically had a barrier trial in beating three rivals to remove his maiden status at Hawkesbury first-up. Will be fitter and interesting to see if he measures up. 2. Lancaster Bomber is rarely too far away in this sort of race, particularly when he draws well, and he can perform well fresh. 7. King Gutho was narrowly beaten by a subsequent Canterbury winner two back at Moruya then solid behind Cavalier Charles at Grafton. Has a case.

How to play it: Misty Legend WIN ($4.00 TAB Fixed Odds).

Misty Legend wins at Wyong on July 20

14. Zeitung showed some promise in her first preparation which culminated in a runaway maiden win on a heavy track at Kembla in April. Too good in a recent trial and nicely drawn. Takes on older horses but it’s a winnable race. Good chance.

Dangers: 7. Bonita Queen resumes having won a Hawkesbury maiden two starts back then beaten favourite at Kembla. She’s also trialling quite well and sure to be competitive. 6. Magnucat was a drifter in betting when resuming with an even fourth behind Cosmonova over this course two weeks ago. Will need some luck from the gate but fitter and open to improvement. 8. Flying Rani hit the line nicely from the back when second to Misty Legend at Wyong second-up from a break. Not far off a win and has drawn to get her chance.

How to play it: Zeitung WIN ($3.90 TAB Fixed Odds).

Zeitung wins a Rosehill trial on July 23

3. The Englishman is back a notch in grade and brings some nice form into this race. Beaten favourite at Randwick last time but the race didn’t pan out in his favour. Excellent before that and from the soft draw he’ll have the chance to get the last shot.

Dangers: 5. Guzumped is racing well without winning in town of late and wasn’t disgraced when a close fourth here over this course two weeks ago. Draw against him again but can’t be left out of the chances. 2. Demarcay started favourite in the same race and tried hard when runner-up. Fitter for two runs back and while his strike rate needs some work he’s one of the chances. 7. Victory Roll is out of Highway company but it was a tough win at Randwick last time after he made a long run and held them off. Each-way claims up in class.

How to play it: The Englishman WIN ($5.00 TAB Fixed Odds).

The Englishman runs fourth at Randwick on July 27

3. Flying Destiny is bursting to win a race and he did a good job chasing an all the way winner at Canterbury two weeks ago. Same class, same weight and drawn a lot better this time around. Hard to beat here.

Dangers: 1. Cloudland usually runs well fresh and he’s returning from a Provincial-Midway Championships prep. Recent trial winner and with the claim is right in a race like this. 7. Sweysive is a month between runs since resuming with a poor effort at Warwick Farm on heavy ground. Much better than that and he tends to improve with a run or two. Each-way hopes. 6. So Good So Cool has been a little disappointing this time in but he gets back and runs on and if the race pans out for him he's capable of being in the finish.

How to play it: Flying Destiny WIN ($4.80 TAB Fixed Odds).

Flying Destiny runs second at Canterbury on July 24

5. Yasuke looks hard to beat third-up after a closing second at Kensington three weeks ago. Best form is around this sort of trip and while he’ll need a touch of luck from a tricky gate he’s found the right race to be a major player.

Dangers: 3. Scalextrics has put four wins together out of town, handling the class rise each time with ease despite narrow victories. Down 4kg after claim on his Wyong win last time and could measure up without surprising. 1. Taraashoq showed he’s on the way back to form with a game second here at this trip. Just up half a kilogram and has the chance to consolidate on that run. 2. Gracilistyla doesn’t win out of turn but this is the kind of race he could surprise in. Best effort in four runs back then close fourth at Randwick a month ago. Down in grade, finds McDonald and has to be considered.

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

Yasuke runs second at Kensington on July 17

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