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By Ray Hickson

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

12. Wild Irish should be competitive in what looks an open race. She hasn’t done a lot wrong in her five starts and has proven versatile when it comes to pattern. Not asked for anything after leading her trial, good chance.

Dangers: 7. Psychic has drawn closer to the outside than in at both starts so far and hit the line well, comes up with gate two here so it’ll be interesting to see what the tactics are. Both starts have been on heavy tracks. Must be respected. 2. Cadenabbia was an $800,000 yearling and he’s taken a bit of time to make it to the track with trials dating back to December. Found the line well late behind Malkovich in a 900m trial and is a very interesting runner. 1. Game Theory did a good job to run second on debut at Warwick Farm in the opening race on a day that turned out to favour leaders strongly. Will need some luck in running from the wide gate but right in it if he gets any.

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

Wild Irish runs third in a trial at Rosehill on August 4

5. Malkovich needs to produce what he’s done in his two trial wins on race day but if he does he’ll take some stopping. Not disgraced at his only start in a $1m race where he had to work. Given time and has looked dynamic on trial morning. Hard to beat.

Dangers: 1. I Am Swerving hit the line well into placings in handy two-year-old races at his first two starts then on speed and wasn’t as effective before a break. Not asked for anything in the trial behind Malkovich and will finish closer to him in this race. Whether 1100m is too sharp is the question but he’ll be strong late. 11. Iconically has done nothing wrong on the trial track winning her last couple in heavy ground. Expect she will be just off the speed here and no surprise to see her run well if she reproduces her trials. 4. Legend I Am has only appeared once at the trials and it was on the synthetic so it’s a bit of a question mark. He won it in good style but how that transfers to race day remains to be seen. Check betting for a push.

How to play it: Malkovich WIN ($2.50 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Malkovich wins a trial at Rosehill on August 18

6. Criaderas couldn’t have been more impressive win two provincial wins earlier this year and is a hugely interesting runner. He’s trialled three times and, just like in his races, has looked a little under pressure. Likely to get back but if he’s the same horse that raced in April he’ll make it interesting.

Dangers: 9. On The Lead is a bit like Criaderas in that his couple of provincial wins have been eye-catching and he has barrier one as an advantage here too. Goes from 1000m to 1250m and you have to question the depth of his last win but he can’t do much more and should be hard to beat. 3. Beach Baby resumed with a complete forgive run at Randwick on a heavy 10 where he was in no man’s land for most of the race despite the small field. Back to a good track and drawn well he can lift sharply. 8. Spokesman has his share of ability but didn’t measure up in Group company in Brisbane. Trials have been fine and he’s good enough to be in the finish somewhere.

How to play it: Criaderas WIN ($4.20 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Criaderas runs fourth in a Hawkesbury trial on August 17

A bit leftfield but 6. Nicconita could cause an upset here at odds. Backs up after beating one home at Newcastle on Saturday with 61kg but was badly cut out at the 200m. Previous form honest and is a strong finisher who is up to this level on her best form and can feature if run to suit.

Dangers: 5. Kingsheir went under at $1.50 at the same meeting after sitting outside the leader. Weakened late and that could be put town to the heavy ground you’d think. Back on a good track he gets his chance to show his best and is worth another chance. 7. Easy Campese probably leads them here and it’ll be interesting to see how it unfolds. Opened a huge lead at Wyong before being run down then far too good at Goulburn both on heavy tracks. Can measure up if he doesn’t overdo it. 2. Relucent has only won the one race in 13 starts but he has the ability when right to be competitive. Never in it on a heavy track first-up but should improve here.

How to play it: Nicconita E/W ($18 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Nicconita’s forgive run last start at Newcastle on August 22

2. Big Parade is an above average horse first-up for Mark Newnham on the back of a couple of synthetic trial wins. Those aside he is Listed placed and measured up to good Saturday company last time in. Well in with the claim and drawn to have his chance. The one to beat. Read trainer Mark Newnham's comments here.

Dangers: 5. Juan Diva wasn’t disgraced on a soft 7 at Canterbury first-up beaten less than a length and back onto a good track she is a serious danger. Expect she’ll be stalking Big Parade in the run and if she gets a crack at them is more than capable of winning. 10. Rock My Wand ran well in a couple of strong races after breaking her maiden on a heavy track. Whether 1100m is too sharp for her fresh remains to be seen but fitter for two trials and expecting to see something from her first-up. 7. Plaquette was a little out of her depth in the PJ Bell on a heavy track but before that she was honest with a couple of wins and placings behind some handy performers. Worked home well in her trial and is not to be overlooked.

How to play it: Big Parade WIN ($2.40 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Big Parade wins a trial at Randwick on August 11

7. Suave is not a heavy track horse so he ran as well as he could in third behind Badoosh two weeks ago. Will love the good ground here and if he can slot in somewhere from the barrier he should be in the finish.

Dangers: 9. Aoraki is going to need a few things to pan out his way but is worth a look first-up off almost a year’s break at a suitable trip. He was strong late when resuming last prep then won easily second-up and bumped into an in-form mare third-up. Gets back from the wide gate but should be charging at them. 3. Coterie is fitter for one run back where he held his ground at Canterbury over 1250m. Best effort last prep was at 1500m so trip suits, drawn well and has found James McDonald. Definite chance. 4. Greenspan is a knockout chance. He ran well first-up over an unsuitable trip then never in the hunt dropping 50m at Canterbury. But he's heading towards his preferred trip and a good track suits.

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

Suave runs third at Warwick Farm on August 12

4. Archanna may be under the odds but goes on top because she still has that X-Factor about her from that dominant debut win. She was beaten at $1.70 on this track at her only other start before a spell but she’s clearly come back well looking at her trial. Watch betting and pattern of the day.

Dangers: 7. Instant Attraction races in similar colours to Archanna and she was a little disappointing last time in after showing talent last summer. Hit the line okay in her second synthetic trial and while drawn wide she’s shown tactical prowess in the past. One to keep safe. 2. In Lighten Me won well first-up at Warwick Farm then up in class and didn’t come into play on a soft 7 at Rosehill. Trialled in the same heat as Archanna since then and a good track helps her cause. Has to be included. 1. Amitto enjoyed a good preparation over the summer and early autumn and looked very good winning her second trial this time in. She led that trial, that’s unlikely first-up from the barrier but she’s a big watch and can be effective fresh.

How to play it: Archanna WIN ($2.50 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Archanna runs third in a trial at Rosehill on August 18

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