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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 to soft track.

8. Canara had a tough ask first-up off a wide gate at Warwick Farm going back and having to make a long run around them so her effort to finish as close as she did. Gets to 1400m and a much softer gate with that run under her belt and she should go close.

Dangers: 11. Polymnia contested the same race second-up and finished just ahead of Canara after saving some ground by getting runs through the field. May also be looking for the extra trip and there’s probably not much between the two. 7. Leconfield took on a couple of fairly strong two-year-old races in his first preparation and wasn’t far away running fourth in both. Interesting he kicks off at the 1400m and that has him right in the mix. 5. Colophon ran on strongly with the winner when narrowly beaten first-up at Kembla Grange over 1200m and is open to some improvement.

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

Canara runs sixth at Warwick Farm on September 25

2. Spanish Fox is racing in super form albeit in slightly easier races and was always in control when leading all the way at Hawkesbury a month ago. Down 1kg after the claim and it’s only a Benchmark 64 so the class rise isn’t huge. Sure to be competitive.

Dangers: 7. Broadway Follies is unbeaten in two starts in the country and has looked pretty good in going about it. Has again drawn to get the right run and no surprise to see her measure up quickly. 4. Darling Downs showed some promise in her first preparation and resumed in a provincial maiden and proved a bit too strong. Runner-up from that race was placed at Warwick Farm on Monday. Could go on with it. 1. Fury won a Sandown maiden in February then spelled again after resuming at Canterbury in May where he had his chance under 61kg. Trialled in good company of late and has to be included first-up as a gelding.

How to play it: Spanish Fox WIN ($4.00 TAB Fixed Odds).

Spanish Fox wins at Hawkesbury on September 7

1. French Endeavour was a sitting shot for the winner when run down late by Ravello first-up at Warwick Farm two weeks ago. Back a notch in grade to fillies and mares and in the small field will get every chance to go one better.

Dangers: 5. Pippie Beach improved on her first-up run to narrowly prevail at Rosehill last week giving 3kg to the runner-up who was favourite. Different set up from the outside in the small field but hard to ignore. 2. Zarrose wasn’t disgraced in Group 3 company in the Tibbie at Newcastle so coming back in grade is in her favour. Has a nice turn of foot as she showed winning three runs back so worth including. 6. Terrestar coms through the same race as French Endeavour and she enjoyed the run of the race behind the leader there and just held ground to run fourth. Inside gate again so she’ll likely have a similar run and is in the mix.

How to play it: French Endeavour WIN ($3.40 TAB Fixed Odds).

French Endeavour runs second at Warwick Farm on September 25

4. Captain Furai is a promising gelding who won three of his four starts in his first campaign. Trialled twice and not pushed around in either. He’s the horse with the most upside in this race and the trip fresh is perfect for him. Hard to see him not being in the finish.

Dangers: 2. Heman found the line with plenty of purpose when resuming at Warwick Farm behind Revello, running into third. Can only be better for that and represents some sort of threat. 5. Pure Alpha was disappointing when resuming at Randwick as a $6 chance but he is entitled to another chance. Won both starts at this track and has blinkers on so there’s a platform for him to bounce back. 3. Zouatica boxed on okay in the Panorama when resuming at Bathurst last month and if he happens to find the lead and get control he could take some running down.

How to play it: Captain Furai WIN ($2.90 TAB Fixed Odds).

Captain Furai runs fourth in a Warwick Farm trial on September 30

1. Deprivation should get across from the outside gate and if he does then he’ll be hard to catch again. Only defeat this prep was a narrow one to Sir Artie and that horse has won again since. Racing in great form and has strong claims.

Dangers: 5. African Daisy did everything but win a race last preparation but she was consistent and while stepping out of mares company she gets some weight relief for it. Will be on the speed somewhere and no surprise if she breaks through. 3. Crafty Eagle is talented enough to win this on his day but he’s had a few issues getting to the post this time in. Last trial was August 19 but he does run well fresh and can’t be overlooked. 6. Iconic Treasure put two together before hitting the lead at Newcastle last time and finding a couple better late. Blinkers go on and he’s not without a chance.

How to play it: Deprivation WIN ($3.80 TAB Fixed Odds).

Deprivation wins at Canterbury on September 18

7. Extremely Hardys has been in and scratched a couple of times but kept ticking over with a trial last week. Looked smart leading all the way on debut at Canterbury back in July on a heavy track and expect she will take some running down at a likely short price.

Dangers: 4. Seascape is the logical danger, she was well supported at Canterbury last time out and was run down late by Countyourblessings in a similar sort of race. Has that match fitness so if there’s a weakness in the favourite she has that edge. 5. Star Act will be fitter for a solid enough first-up placing at Warwick Farm two weeks ago and the extra 150m will definitely be in her favour. Sure to be around the mark again. 9. Trafalgar Square is not to be underestimated coming back from tackling a pair of Group 2 races against the fillies. She’s shown enough talent to suggest she’s not without an upset chance.

How to play it: Extremely Hardys WIN ($1.65 TAB Fixed Odds).

Extremely Hardys’ latest trial at Rosehill on October 4

8. Komodo Dragon is an up and coming gelding who has looked good in two easy provincial wins at Kembla Grange in August as a short priced favourite. Freshened up but did have a tickover trial a week or so ago and the hat-trick looks well within reach.

Dangers: 4. Rapbidash was placed in the Country Championships Final two starts back before an even run under a big weight in Highway grade before a spell. She’s trialled well leading into this and with the 3kg claim she should be hitting the line strongly. 2. Sonofdec is a handy type resuming since having a shot at the Queensland Derby. Just the one trial and while this is a touch short of his best he could sprint well fresh. 6. Heed The Omens makes his Sydney debut after five starts in Victoria in his first campaign. Hard to get a good line on his trials but drawn well and if there’s any support he’s in the mix.

How to play it: Komodo Dragon WIN ($2.00 TAB Fixed Odds).

Komodo Dragon wins at Kembla on August 31

4. Tympanist is not without a good each-way chance back onto a track he loves. Wasn’t beaten far off a two month break at Warwick Farm over a mile and in a wide open race, at a track he’s won four from nine on, with the right run he could ambush them late.

Dangers: 3. Green Belt looks the horse to beat, made a midrace move to find the lead a long way out at Canterbury last time before being nabbed late. A repeat performance should see him in the finish. 13. United Kingdom has seemed to have had his chance in two thirds behind Rock Empire this time in so may be slightly unders but at the same time can’t be left out. He’s drawn ideally and it’s a winnable race so he has to be respected. 10. Colours Of Autumn won easily at Newcastle before up in class and an even fourth at Warwick Farm over a mile. Honest mare and she’s one of the chances.

How to play it: Tympanist EACH-WAY ($15 TAB Fixed Odds).

Tympanist runs sixth at Warwick Farm on September 25

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