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By Ray Hickson

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

1. King Of Dragons is knocking on the door for a win and it almost came at the Gold Coast as he led and was cut down on the line. Was a month between runs there and also gave a good sight at his previous start on this track. Looks the leader and should take running down.

Dangers: 2. Sum Invictus has taken a bit of time and has improved with each trial culminating in a solid win at Rosehill where he travelled well then responded to being asked to work. Draws well and should show up. 6. Sensational Wind had some support on debut back in July in quite a strong two-year-old race and worked home without threatening. Latest trial was on the quiet side and she’s very much a market watch. 3. Wa Wa Wa is another on debut for the Chris Waller yard and his couple of recent trials have been okay without standing out. Any support significant and gets every chance from the draw.

How to play it: King Of Dragons WIN ($2.40 TAB Fixed Odds).

King Of Dragons runs second at Gold Coast on January 11

4. Sunshine Law looked all over a winner at Warwick Farm two weeks ago only to be reeled in late. That was on a deteriorating track and perhaps she was a sitting shot having taken over on the turn. Blinkers go on and she has another chance to break through.

Dangers: 10. Take Achance On Me was a minor drifter in betting first-up at Canterbury and was still in the firing line with 100m to go before just fading out of a place. Likely to be better for that run and improvement wouldn’t surprise. 5. Hurry Miss has a tricky gate to contend with but she’s not far off a win after resuming with a narrow defeat at Warwick Farm where she came from last on the turn. Will need luck but well worth including in the chances. 1. Pink Shalala has placed in three of his four starts and seemed to have his chance first-up when $1.80 at Kembla Grange. Can be placed at least.

How to play it: Sunshine Law WIN ($2.90 TAB Fixed Odds).

Sunshine Law runs second at Warwick Farm on January 8

5. Malabar can be forgiven for failing on a heavy track second-up a couple of weeks ago with the return to firmer footing. Did an excellent job to score when resuming over a mile and is the type of horse that can make some use of barrier one. No surprise if he bounces back.

Dangers: 1. Sweysive backed up his solid return effort with an all the way win on heavy ground at Warwick Farm two weeks ago. Rolls forward again here from the outside and could easily hold his form. 3. Fiddlers Green has mixed his form this preparation so there’s a case to forgive his last start effort at Randwick where he didn’t hit the line. Ran well there at the start prior so is worth another chance. 8. Moritz Girl won her way out of Highway grade with a game win off the outside gate at Randwick a few weeks ago. Consistent type who could measure up.

How to play it: Malabar EACH-WAY ($7.00 TAB Fixed Odds).

Malabar wins at Warwick Farm in December

1. Sly Boots is racing in good form this preparation and followed his second-up win with a game performance at Randwick where he rallied after being outsprinted early in the straight to run third. That suggests the extra ground will be a plus and the blinkers go on. Hard to beat.

Dangers: 2. Captain Maverick contested the same race at Randwick finishing fourth after holding his ground in the straight. Is 2kg worse off at the weights with no claim being used here but that looks the right form and he’s a good chance. 3. Elle Hudson has appreciated getting out in distance this time in and scored a popular win over 1900m at Newcastle fourth-up. Jumps to a 72 but at peak so can’t be left out. 6. So Newchee Thinks improved off a handy Taree return to score on a heavy track at Warwick Farm two weeks ago. Has to do it again on a dry track but proven at the extra trip and sure to be running on.

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

Sly Boots runs third at Randwick on January 4

4. Outback Angel took the step out of country grade in her stride and was game in running second at Canterbury on New Year’s Day, chasing a well supported front-runner. May have some work to do to offset the wide gate but has found a winnable race and is sure to run well.

Dangers: 5. Up To Mischief has been thereabouts in three runs this time in though fair to say she’s had her chance. Solidly supported into equal favouritism at Wyong last time and weakened into fourth after leading. Claim helps and can feature. 1. Strombus has performed well at this track in the past for a previous stable and is fitter for two trial wins since contesting the Mudgee Sprint with 63kg. Down 4kg and finds gate one so there’s a chance for him to lift. 6. Just In Time is coming off a long break having last raced in the 2023 Spring Stakes at Newcastle. Kept in hand in her trials and the market will be a good guide.

How to play it: Outback Angel WIN ($4.60 TAB Fixed Odds).

Outback Angel runs second at Canterbury on January 1

9. Imposing Pier showed some promise in his first preparation and resumed as a very short priced favourite with an easy all the way maiden win at Kembla Grange. That was only off one barrier trial so there’s scope for improvement in fitness and he should have his chance to be prominent throughout from the inside.

Dangers: 10. Idle Flyer caught the eye when resuming over 1000m at Kembla Grange with a solid late finish to run second. Extra distance is in her favour given her maiden win was at 1300m and she should be hitting the line nicely again. 11. Lutetia won well on debut at Newcastle in July then up to city grade and struck a heavy track when safely held by Tarpaulin. Does have a tricky draw to contend with but is trialling well and is one of the chances. 7. Bella Khadijah was thrown in the deep end in the Tea Rose Stakes before a spell and didn’t quite measure up there. Did place in benchmark 72 grade prior to that. Hit the line well to win her latest trial and is an each-way chance.

How to play it: Imposing Pier WIN ($2.70 TAB Fixed Odds).

Imposing Pier wins at Kembla Grange on January 4

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