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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 soft track.

4. Reignite has been trialling up well for a while now and he brushed home well under no pressure from last in his latest at Rosehill last week. Bred to handle a rain affected track, drawn well and expecting him to be competitive.

Dangers: 5. Miss Canada has the exposed form from what was a strong two-year-old race at Randwick back in December despite there only being four runners. She led there and went down fighting. Asked for a bit late when in the clear in her trial and looked good on what was a soft 7 track. Big threat. 2. Doubtland trialled behind Farnan and North Pacific then hit the line well to win his second trial on the grass at Rosehill. On breeding should be okay in the wet but wouldn’t want it heavy. Keep in mind. 1. Fixated ran well behind Hanseatic on debut then struck a very heavy track in the Inglis Millennium and battled away okay. This track won’t be as affected you’d think and he’s worth another chance.

How to play it: Reignite WIN ($3.00 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Reignite runs fourth in a Rosehill trial on February 25

5. Night Flyer is a capable filly first-up off a nice trial in open company and she handles all conditions. Yet to finish worse than fourth in six starts to date and can be wherever she wants from the inside. Would be surprised if she doesn’t run a nice race fresh.

Dangers: 2. Plaquette has some very good form around her this time in from three runs back, and the latest effort was better than it looks considering you needed to be near the fence on the night at Canterbury. Runner-up Valdostana has since won and she looks very hard to beat. 6. Shout The Bar couldn’t have been more impressive winning on debut at Newcastle where she sat on the speed and raced away late. That was a BM58 too and not a maiden. Quest what was behind her but you can only win and she is right in this. 3. Dalaalaat made light work of a Wagga maiden last start and was placed on a heavy track at Pakenham before that. More depth here but could measure up.

How to play it: Night Flyer E/W ($8.00 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Night Flyer runs second in a Hawkesbury trial on February 20

12. Toffee Tongue had some support when resuming at this track and while she wasn’t obviously strong late she did get tightened up around 200m out so the margin is a little misleading. Can only be fitter and with the scratchings has a good chance.

Dangers: 2. Dancing Gidget looked to have her chance late when run down by stablemate Impactful on a soft 7 at Canterbury third-up. Scratchings have helped her cause and she should be running on. 7. Cape Leaopard ran a nice race fresh here a couple of weeks ago and the extra distance will only help her cause. Well worth including. 3. Entente has been gelded since his two starts in the spring where he was hard in the market on both occasions. Wouldn't shock to see him give some cheek.

How to play it: Toffee Tongue E/W ($5.50 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: EVENS.

Toffee Tongue runs sixth at Kensington on February 19

1. Mayaaseh knocked over a couple of easier races to kick off last prep then performed nicely in company up to Listed grade. Two trials back have been sound and she is bred to be okay on a wet track. Well placed here on her best efforts and is a good chance.

Dangers: 5. Mirra Vision has been scratched several times in the past couple of weeks probably due to a combination of wide gates and wet tracks. She’s unbeaten with two wins on soft 5s and won her trial on a soft 6. Dam had 12 goes on wet tracks for one win and no placings so that’s a little alarming. Respect until she proves she can’t handle the going. 3. Starla is another 50-50 to handle a very wet track but she was consistent last time in with a win and five placings. She’ll run well here, note her heavy track run was a close fifth to Kiamichi in the Magic Night last year, though she didn’t look to be reveling in it. 7. Perfect Pitch can’t be left out because she will handle whatever track condition is thrown at her. No match for Voila on a heavy at Warwick Farm but ran well and is close to a win. Keep in mind.

How to play it: Mayaaseh E/W ($6.00 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Mayaaseh runs second in a Randwick trial on February 17

2. Hilo has been gelded since his spring campaign which included a close second to Alabama Express in a Listed race. Beat a smart one on a soft 6 in September and you’d say he’s been competitive against some top class three-year-olds. Trial was good, he’s entitled to go close.

Dangers: 4. Epic Dan landed in front and improved his position in scoring easily at Warwick Farm on a heavy track. The wetter the better for his chances and given we’re looking at the soft range at least he has to be included. 8. Kavalmo is another resuming as a gelding, he actually finished ahead of Hilo (by 0.2L) when they clashed at Flemington in November. Typically quiet trial gives us no guide on how he’s going so pay attention to the market. 6. Montserrat is yet to strike a wet track on race day. Won nicely at his second start then just plain at Gosford before a spell. Latest trial was okay on the synthetic and he’s in the mix somewhere.

How to play it: Hilo WIN ($2.30 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: EVENS.

Hilo runs third in a trial at Rosehill on February 25

9. Betcha Flying holds the key to this race. She was due to run in the Group 1 Surround last weekend but was scratched and lines up here. Should have won at least one Listed race before a spell she handles all conditions. If she’s in order she’s the one they have to hold out.

Dangers: 5. Dio D’Oro loves a wet track as his recent form suggests and he’s down 2kg on his game second at Warwick Farm a few weeks back. The winner there has since won again. He’ll be in this for a long way particularly if the track gets to heavy. 4. Cyber Intervention was strong late in winning over this course first-up, stays at the same trip but if it is wet then it probably suits him. Sure to be competitive as usual. 6. Re Edit is an interesting case. She had Group ability at three but her form has been patchy for a while. In her favour is both her wins have come when first-up and one of those on a heavy track. If she finds her best form she’s a contender, check betting for confidence.

How to play it: Betcha Flying WIN ($3.20 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Betcha Flying’s latest trial at Randwick on February 17

4. Sea Of Life is a promising middle distance type in the making and he’s hard to tip against though this is a decent test for him. Form through his win here a month ago is strong then dominant coming from off the pace last time. Extra trip suits, should be okay on a wet track and is the one to beat.

Dangers: 10. Nimalee is another up and comer who was too strong at a mile at Warwick Farm then just touched out back 50m at Canterbury on a soft 7. Extra trip will suit her brilliantly and she looks a threat. 6. Come Along ran third behind Sea Of Life last start and he had his chance to beat him there. That said the 1800m should suit him and he is racing too well to leave out of the chances. 5. Castel Sant’angelo also resumed in the Sea Of Life race and battled on fairly to run fifth. Trip is a plus and he could well find the front this time. If that happens it’s his best shot.

How to play it: Sea Of Life WIN ($2.50 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: EVENS.

Sea Of Life wins at Kensington on February 17

4. Deference looks well placed after two solid runs back from a spell and will handle all conditions. No luck when favourite fresh then chased a smart one home in much stronger company at Rosehill on a heavy track. Drawn to land right behind the lead and should take holding out.

Dangers: 1. Witherspoon is a chance to get some kind of control in front here and if that happens she could nip clear and take running down. Too fast over 1000m here fresh then weakened after not being able to lead at Randwick. Forgive that. Go well. 5. Grand Piano is a handy type resuming and is a heavy track winner so conditions aren’t a factor. Worked home well enough in his latest trial and will be competitive. 6. Star Crossed ran well fresh last prep then didn’t fire a shot in three subsequent starts. Latest trial suggests he’s going pretty well and is another that seems to handle all conditions. Each-way claims.

How to play it: Deference WIN ($3.10 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Deference runs second at Rosehill on February 22

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