Latest News

By Ray Hickson

Tips and race by race preview by Ray Hickson for Wednesday’s Kensington meeting at Randwick. Selections based on a good to soft track.

1. Barbaric was one of the better runs in the Breeders’ Plate and resumes with a couple of more than handy trials under his belt. Did plenty of chasing in the latest and closed off well. Drawn to have his chance to live up to his pedigree.

Dangers: 11. Tight Ropes was responsible for a very nice debut effort behind Rulership at Randwick, she spent a fair amount of time going sideways to get to the outside and chased home strongly. Extra 100m a plus for her. 4. Centimental is back in class from taking on Away Game in the Widden, she ran second though did have every possible chance. No excuses here and is in the mix but doesn’t look any good thing to me. Not sure what to make of 740m trials on the synthetic but 7. Joviality wasn't asked for a lot running third in one last week behind 9. Pink Beau.

How to play it: Barbaric WIN ($3.30 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Barbaric runs second in a trial on January 28

3. Mensa Missile looks ready for a winning debut based on his two recent trials. Descended on them at Kembla then sat closer and did it easily at Rosehill in the latest. Third horse from the trial has won in town since. Any support would be a good pointer.

Dangers: 7. Isabella Of Aragon is another whose two trial wins suggest she has plenty of talent and finds barrier one and James McDonald. Commands respect, again the market will be interesting with her. 2. Heart Breaker hasn’t raced for a year where he made a solid debut behind Cardiff at Warwick Farm. Two trials wins under his belt and he’s also looked the goods. Has speed and race experience and should be in this for a long way. 4. Secretively has been gelded and he wouldn’t have to improve a whole lot on his first preparation to be competitive. Behind the placings against the likes of Celestial Falls and Knickpoint his last couple. Worth keeping in mind.

How to play it: Mensa Missile WIN ($3.40 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Mensa Missile wins a Rosehill trial on January 28

6. Betty Blooms finds a race she might be able to control from the front having not been able to lead in her two runs back. Both have had merit in good form races and if she finds the front she should take running down.

Dangers: 3. Moana Jewel ran well first-up then a month between runs and onto a heavy track and she was more than acceptable running third to Dio D’Oro. Back onto a better surface here, she’s fit for the two runs and a good chance to break through. 2. High Low Bet was the beneficiary of a heavy track at Warwick Farm last week and got the job done. Solid on a good track prior so is one of the chances but wary her good track record is 12 starts for two thirds and is clearly at her best in heavy. 5. Compatriot has tended to mix her efforts but she rounded them up in style from last at Gosford last time after looking under pressure. Doesn’t look to be a super amount of speed here so that might be a negative but she stays in the mix.

How to play it: Betty Blooms E/W ($4.40 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Betty Blooms runs fifth at Warwick Farm on January 27

5. Badia has the form on the board to say this is her chance to break through. Luckless in a supreme form race two starts ago then left it just too late behind Valdostana at Kembla. Goes to 1400m but soft gate and if she gets the breaks looks the one.

Dangers: 1. Olympic Legend improved sharply at his second start stretching Sea Of Life in a similar race here two weeks ago. Was big odds but made the winner really work and a repeat performance has him in the mix. 3. Reaching bumped into a smart one on debut then odds-on and had her chance but finished hard late at Wyong back in November. Bigger track and 1400m fresh suits so respect. 6. Shuhood was a drifter in betting first-up but hit the line well behind Juan Diva, with the horse horse winning since. Trialled again recently, probably gets back but wouldn’t be overlooking her.

How to play it: Badia WIN ($3.70 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Badia runs second at Kembla Grange on January 29

There’s no doubt 1. Mugatoo is the best horse in this race and the horse with the most upside. He’s a big fellow and getting out to 1800m suits after a super first-up win in much stronger company where he ran the second fastest last 200m of the day of 11.37 (Punter's Intelligence). Won’t want a stop-start race or to be held up but those aspects look his main threats. Read jockey Robbie Dolan's comments here.

Dangers: 2. Knowitall Jack is a control freak and if he is allowed to dictate he can make Mugatoo work very hard to catch him. Had the favours at Canterbury and roared clear, trialled since and goes to 1800m for the first time. If he’s two or three in front on the turn I’d be worried. 4. Pumpkin Pie broke a three year run of outs with a fighting all the way win over this course two weeks ago. A lot more depth this time but she is generally consistent so would be throwing her in the trifectas. 6. Welsh Legend has been disappointing in two runs back but gets out to a trip where she should be firing so perhaps worth one more chance.

How to play it: Mugatoo WIN ($1.90 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Mugatoo wins at Randwick on January 25

Happy to stay with 5. The Man though he did have his chance when run down by Feather over this course last start. Looks a similar scenario for him, he should land in a nice spot just off the speed and from there it’s up to him being good enough.

Dangers: 1.Cyber Intervention is Saturday class at his best and does produce first-up as we saw on this track last time in over 1300m. Get another 100m this time and has trialled nicely on two occasions. Has a strong finish and must be included in everything. 4. Herzegovina is shaping up well for his shot at the Country Championships Qualifier next month and he was quite strong late when chasing home Riverside’s Cash at Warwick Farm second-up. Each-way chance again. 6. Bushido has been advantaged by the scratchings so has to be considered. Even effort on the pace at Kembla last time and might get some favours here.

How to play it: The Man WIN ($2.25 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS.

The Man runs second at Randwick on February 5

2. Zoffany’s Lad has the hoof on the till with seconds in both runs this time in. He’s not really a heavy tracker so his effort at Canterbury after leading is solid. Drawn well and only has to hold his form to be a good each-way chance.

Dangers: 8. Beaufort Park should have finished a little closer behind Subpeonaed second-up at Randwick and he sets up well to run a nice race here. Can take advantage of an inside gate and be handy. Keep in mind. 6. Judge Judi has been around the mark without winning but also had excuses in her last couple. Expect her to be very handy from the inside alley and her best form is good enough to win this3. Lewis resumes with a couple of quiet trials under his belt so hard to get a line on how he’s going. Only unplaced effort was first-up, on debut, last time in and this trip fresh suits. Sure to improve on whatever he does but can run well.

How to play it: Zoffany’s Lad E/W ($8.00 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: EVENS.

Zoffany’s Lad runs second at Canterbury on February 7

6. Maroch can run well at odds first-up from a spell in a race where they are sure to put the foot down in front. Unbeaten first-up and sat just off them before finishing nicely to win his latest trial. Expecting a similar run in transit here and worth a look each-way.

Dangers: 11. Moralist is another at each-way odds who can run a cheeky race first-up if they clap the speed on as expected. Trial efforts have been good and tends to like to sit off the speed. Could surprise. 4. Iconic Star is building a strong record and was far too good over 1000m at Warwick Farm three weeks back. Will be in or near the lead here and hard to leave out. 3. Human Nature disappointed a little last time in being a beaten favourite in his first three back before being outclassed at Group 2 level. Trials have been sound and not to be underestimated, though does need to put wins on the board soon.

How to play it: Maroch E/W ($16 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Maroch wins a trial at Warwick Farm on January 21

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