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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.

8. Outlawed goes on top though it’s fair to say she’s had her chance in seconds at her past couple when beaten favourite. Goes to 1400m which doesn’t look an issue and draws to again have every opportunity. Meets a well exposed field and is the one to beat.

Dangers: 1. Buillt was around the mark without winning last time in and ran third in a strong maiden to kick off that prep. Like how he found the line late in his latest trial and should be kept safe first-up as a gelding. 5. Ring Ahoy has threatened to win a race and this is his 10th attempt but appeared to be on the wrong side of the track when a beaten favourite at Kembla second-up. Ran on well first-up and can’t leave him out of the chances. 7. Marelle has been freshened up since a couple of disappointing efforts around the New Year. Narrowly beaten here first-up and could bounce back to form.

How to play it: Outlawed WIN ($1.65 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Outlawed runs second at Warwick Farm on February 22

7. Soldier Of Rome is a well bred colt from the Waterhouse/Bott yard who has trialled strongly on two occasions leading into his debut. Imagine he will look to lead from his inside gate and he’s sure to give a good sight.

Dangers: 1. Capital Heart had good support when unplaced here on debut before going down narrowly to Introducing at Warwick Farm on a heavy track. He only needs to run up to that to be hard to hold out again. 5. Libertad chased Red Resistance in his first trial then hit the line well along the inside to win at his second. Had a nice ground for this race and bears close watching. 8. Storm The Ramparts gets the blinkers on after running into third in the same race as Capital Heart at Warwick Farm. Both starts have been on wet tracks so wouldn’t surprise if he jumps out of the ground on a good surface.

How to play it: Soldier Of Rome WIN ($4.80 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Soldier Of Rome wins a Randwick trial on February 20

4. Captain Amelia is a huge watch here on debut on the back of just the one public trial. She’s a Dundeel filly so likely to excel over a shade further but she attacked the line so well in that hitout it’s hard to imagine her not running some kind of race here fresh.

Dangers: 8. Saikono is from the Waterhouse/Bott yard and has trialled typically well. She went with Soldier Of Rome at Randwick a couple of weeks ago in her second trial and it’s hard to ignore her, especially if he runs well in the preceding race. 5. Clea is out of former top mare Streama and she scored a handy enough win in a Hawkesbury trial in her only public appearance. Each-way. 11. Utopian Wine was beaten a fair way in her second trial but it was an improved effort on the first. Nicely bred and one to keep an eye on.

How to play it: Captain Amelia WIN ($3.50 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: EVENS.

Captain Amelia’s trial at Hawkesbury on February 21

8. Queen Yuna did a very good job at her only start when runner-up to Edna back in October off a wide gate on a heavy track. No public trials this time in but drawn nicely and if she ran run up to that debut effort she’s a good chance to feature.

Dangers: 5. Just An Upstart was competitive in all three starts in his first prep and was given a reasonable sound out in winning his second trial this time in. Tricky draw but expect he’ll get back and be hitting the line strongly. 3. Chartwell resumed with an even effort to run second in a Wyong maiden a couple of weeks ago. Sure to be fitter for that and this doesn’t look particularly stronger. 7. Sports Legend went under as a $1.30 favourite in a four horse field first-up after leading. He’d trialled very well going into that and perhaps he’s worth another chance.

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

Queen Yuna runs second at Kembla in October

2. Kokoro has the form on the board to entitle him to be favourite and the horse to beat. Impressive winner first-up here then game behind Lindermann at Rosehill. Won twice at a mile and it’d be a surprise if he didn’t go close.

Dangers: 3. Jupitus did quite a big job to round them up from last when resuming over 1400m here and will appreciate the extra trip. He’s been back to the trials since that win and it’ll be interesting to see where he gets to from the inside gate in this field. Logical danger. 4. Journalism has had his chance in two runs since a first-up win but he’s been competitive on the speed in them and might get the opportunity to control a bit here. That keeps him under notice. 8. The Denzel has led and been run down in two runs back, the latest by Jupitus, but he is racing well this time around and he could fill a placing again.

How to play it: Kokoro WIN ($1.80 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Kokoro runs second at Rosehill on February 18

5. Arbitration hasn’t done a lot wrong and if the 1100m isn’t too sharp for her she’s set to be hard to hold out fresh. Performed well in this class in the winter and she’s been given two trials for a first-up run, draws nicely and finds JMac. Go well.

Dangers: 4. Never Second is rarely far away also and while she weakened after sitting on the speed second-up she’s well worth another chance. Narrowly beaten in her only start at this track and distance. 3. Hypothetical showed speed to lead at Rosehill first-up but weakened quickly in the straight when challenged. Tongue tie goes on so that might be a significant change. She’ll go forward again and has to be considered. 8. Custodian is now with the Snowdens and resumes after contesting the Coolmore Stud Stakes at Flemington. If you overlook that his form is handy enough in good three-year-old company and he’s a market watch.

How to play it: Arbitration WIN ($5.00 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Arbitration wins a trial at Warwick Farm on February 16

10. Saveadateforme looked promising in his first prep with two impressive wins from his first three starts before going into the Spring Stakes as a $4.80 chance. Not asked for a whole lot in his trials and expect he’ll be rushing home if he has any luck from the inside gate.

Dangers: 3. Ka Bling loomed as the winner second-up in a similar race three weeks ago only to be ambushed by Jupitus. No harder here and again drawn to have his chance. Must be respected. 7. Shadow Devil had some excuses when unplaced as favourite at Canterbury. Was well supported there and while drawn out it’s probably not the time to drop off him just yet. 8. Speed Legend was always well back first-up on a night where it was an advantage to be up close so not disgraced beaten 2.6 lengths. Capable of showing up.

How to play it: Saveadateforme E/W ($3.90 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Saveadateforme’s latest trial at Randwick on February 20

14. Cholante won her first two last prep by good margins before being a bit unlucky in this class third-up. Overlook failures in stakes company before a spell. She’s come back in good order judging by her latest trial win and she’s sure to get every chance to win first-up.

Dangers: 5. Portray campaigned in Melbourne last time in for a win at Ballarat on a heavy track. Nothing wrong with her trials and she has a claim and an inside gate. Looks one of the main chances. 10. Super Bright gave away a big start in a Midway at Randwick last time and charged into fourth behind Dalaalaat. Probably gets back again but capable of featuring if the race is run to suit. 6. Evening Bride was solid in the market first-up at Canterbury and held her ground beaten a couple of lengths. Fitter for that and is up to this on her best form.

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

Cholante wins a Rosehill trial on February 27

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