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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.

3. Bengal has the pace to overcome a wide gate and settle handy and he doesn’t need to improve much on his last stride defeat two weeks ago. He was almost three months between runs and straight to 1400m so he’ll be fitter and should go close.

Dangers: 6. Engine Room made a promising debut in what’s so far a handy form race running a closing fourth at Warwick Farm behind Manos. Draws to get a nice run and the extra 200m can only be a plus. Looks a threat. 7. Le Troisir comes through the same race as Bengal where he worked home well to run third, beaten a length. Had some support at odds there so expect he’s open to improvement. 5. Chiba led and was run down at Newcastle over 1200m at his second start. Probable leader here and sure to give a sight.

How to play it: Bengal EACH-WAY ($4.20 TAB Fixed Odds).

Bengal runs second at Warwick Farm on October 16

5. Tajanis looks well placed on the back of an eye-catching second over this trip at Warwick Farm two weeks back. Hit the line well from back in the field and might have been a shade unlucky not to win. Big chance to get back in the winner’s stall.

Dangers: 2. Vaguer improved quickly off a handy first-up run at a mile to jump 510m and get the job done at Warwick Farm three weeks ago. Makes his own luck and should be hard to beat again. 3. Fleet Commander led all the way at Hawkesbury for a confidence boosting win then led again last week before being reeled in. Still held third and sure to give a sight here. 6. Karmazone bobs up in these races now and then, winning one three starts back. Not disgraced at Warwick Farm and can be placed.

How to play it: Tajanis WIN ($1.95 TAB Fixed Odds).

Tajanis runs second at Warwick Farm on October 16

3. Briasa is hard to go past in this field after an excellent performance for fourth behind Ostraka at Randwick on Epsom Day. Had no luck but still tried hard to be beaten half a length. Won all four previous starts and entitled to be a short priced favourite.

Dangers: 6. Inhibitions wasn’t disgraced behind Ostraka first-up finishing midfield. Trialled again since then so will be fitter and from the inside gate can continue her good second-up form. 7. Snapback is an interesting runner now with Mark Minervini. Two runs back he ran third to Makarena in the Tapp-Craig and started $4.80 at Caulfield after that. Won a Newcastle trial a month ago and has trialled again since. Keep safe. 5. Dream Hour resumes having tackled the Stradbroke back in June. Can run well fresh.

How to play it: Briasa WIN ($1.75 TAB Fixed Odds).

Briasa runs fourth at Randwick on October 5

2. Premise showed she’s getting back to form with a nice second-up effort behind Tavi Time at the mile. A repeat of that sees her go close here and the extra 200m can only be in her favour. Should be in the finish somewhere.

Dangers: 4. Too Much Caviar has been fair in two runs since winning second-up at Rosehill but this is easier than his even fifth in the Big Dance Wild Card on Everest Day. Races handy and can show up. 1. Balance Play has the blinkers on for his second Australian start so there’s room for improvement after leading and weakening first-up behind Tavi Time. 3. I've Bean Tryin' ran well in the Goulburn Cup four starts back but has been a bit below par since then. Blinkers off and smaller field, he's good enough on his best to show up if he can find it.

How to play it: Premise WIN ($3.30 TAB Fixed Odds).

Premise runs second at Warwick Farm on October 16

7. Bat Out Of Hell is close to a win after three runs back after going down narrowly at Warwick Farm last time out. Down in weight for a modest class rise and drawn ideally to run out the trip. Has to be one of the main chances.

Dangers: 5. Groundrush had every chance when third at Warwick Farm over the mile when solid in the betting. Finding it a shade hard to win at the moment but he’ll have another chance to break through in this. 2. Peace Officer rarely has a lot of luck with barriers so happy to forgive his failure at Rosehill last time. Previous form was honest and he’s back down to a weight that saw him competitive in this grade two starts ago. 6. Kenyada failed to fire when resuming at Warwick Farm a few weeks ago but finds James McDonald and draws well again so worth keeping in mind as she’s a likely improver.

How to play it: Bat Out Of Hell WIN ($3.70 TAB Fixed Odds).

Bat Out Of Hell runs third at Warwick Farm on October 16

3. Harry’s Bar is an up comer who is straight out of maiden company but it was an impressive win at Canterbury a couple of months ago. Races handy, she’s had no public trial but has jumped out at home and expect her to be competitive.

Dangers: 2. Drift Net is trialling quite well for a big run first-up since putting two wins together on soft and heavy tracks back in the winter. Starting to put it all together and she looks one of the major hopes. 4. Wooloowin is a big market watch first-up for over a year. She looked promising winning at Gosford and Kembla in winter last year and Mitchell Bell coming to town to ride is a good pointer to how well she’s going. Latest trial soft in inferior company. Can run well with obvious improvement to come. 5. Opal Fields wasn't beaten far at Warwick Farm last time and was placed there prior. Has claims.