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By Ray Hickson

Tips and race by race preview by Ray Hickson for Wednesday’s Warwick Farm meeting. Selections based on a soft track.

6. Deniki did a great job on debut at Gosford when runner-up after leading to Kumasi who had the cold sit on her. Big gap to third there and she was softened up in the run. Fitter for that, should handle a soft track and will take plenty of catching.

Dangers: 2. Canadian Spice showed some promise on debut in the Inglis Nursery running third over the 1000m. Very quiet trial recently but was handy through the line, while 1000m might be a touch short she’ll be running on. 9. So Far Away is a Snitzel filly with the Snowdens and there was something to like about her late finish at Wyong in her latest trial on March 2. Trialled well enough on a soft track prior to that. Keep in mind. 4. Sabor is a bit of a query from the Waterhouse/Bott yard. Just the one trial on the synthetic, which he won narrowly, and that was a month ago. Betting a pointer.

How to play it: Deniki WIN ($2.00 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: EVENS.

Deniki runs second at Gosford on February 26

5. Astralis has been costly so far, fair to say she had her chance first-up but hit the line strongly, running the fastest last 600m of 36.34 (Punter's Intelligence) on a soft track, to just miss at Canterbury a few weeks back with the winner gaining an inside run on her. Distance looks suitable, third-up, handles the wet. Every hope.

Dangers: 3. Kinane was formerly with Michael Kent, now Chris Waller, and he trialled quite well at Rosehill a couple of weeks ago over 1030m. No real guide on the soft track but only start to date was at 1400m and he was narrowly beaten. Respect. 2. Good Stock led them up at Canterbury in the same race as Astralis and was just found wanting late. Was first-up there so open to improvement and can give a sight again. 7. La Tigresa was never in the race at Goulburn after drawing wide and getting right back. Blinkers on and barrier one should ensure she’s at least a bit closer and she has the talent to be in the finish.

How to play it: Astralis WIN ($3.40 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Astralis runs second at Canterbury on February 21

Staying with 4. Badia who was a bit flat when out to 1400m at Kensington last time. She boxed on okay but didn’t ever look in the hunt. Back to 1200m suits and has blinkers on and a soft gate. Previous form more than could enough to measure up to this.

Dangers: 1. Brabham debuted at Newcastle two Saturdays ago and it was something of a non-event as he was badly held up all the way home. Heavily backed there and did run on when he finally got out in the last 100m but the race was gone. Entitled to another chance. 6. Eye See Things has the blinkers on and there’s nothing wrong with what she’s produced in two starts to date. Expect she’ll be in the first few in running and is a definite chance. 7. Haven is a stablemate to Eye See Things and she’s a big watch on debut after a couple of nice enough trials at Randwick in the last six weeks or so. Keep an eye on betting and follow accordingly.

How to play it: Badia E/W ($4.40 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Badia runs fifth at Kensington on February 19

1. Segalas is a reliable mare who was solid in the betting when rounding them up first-up at Kensington three weeks ago. No harder here, handles all conditions and don’t mind her drawn out. No reason she can’t take beating again.

Dangers: 3. McCormack rarely runs a bad race too and he looked sharp winning a recent trial at Wyong ahead of this first-up attempt. Handles soft tracks well and is a good each-way chance. 10. Willowheart led all the way to her first two wins, including first-up on a heavy track, then up in class battled on okay to run third behind the smart Splintex. Not sure she will be able to lead here but should be included. 4. Peaceful is a big watch first-up for Kris Lees. Ex-Kiwi mare who has trialled quite nicely running second on two occasions with a five week gap. Wet no worries and market a further pointer.

How to play it: Segalas E/W ($4.00 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Segalas wins at Kensington on February 19

1. High Low Bet might have 60.5kg but she looks well enough in on the back of two city wins on end, the form solid out of the latest at Kensington. She loves a soft or heavy track, is racing very well this time in and only has to hold her form to be in the finish.

Dangers: 2. Phemonoe has won a city maiden and a Newcastle Class 2 and carries the same weight as High Low Bet off two city Benchmark wins so she faces a task but she’s the one with the upside. Tried hard at Canterbury two starts back then had to fight hard to hold them off at Newcastle. Go well again. 8. She’s Fearless is a market watch at her first run for Bjorn Baker. Has a consistent record in NZ though only the one win and she trialled quietly at Goulburn last week. Any support would be significant in a winnable race. 11. Verlan was placed at Canterbury two runs back on a soft 7 then beaten less than a length at the same track last time both at decent odds. She’s racing very well and wouldn’t shock to see her in the placings.

How to play it: High Low Bet E/W ($5.50 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

High Low Bet wins at Kensington on February 19

8. Mr Wong has proven to be a handy Highway performer to date and steps into midweek company on the back of a first-up win and an unlucky fourth at Rosehill a few weeks back. Handles all conditions, drawn well and is still on the up. Good each-way chance. Read trainer Stephen Jones' comments here.

Dangers: 9. Olympic Legend led all the way to win his maiden a month ago then held up behind them early in the straight before getting clear about 200m out when fourth at Canterbury. Back to 1400m, should push forward and capable of atoning. 12. Mubariz is a big query runner, an import first-up for Chris Waller. No official trials but did contest a jump out at Flemington on February 14. Market will tell us a lot but James McDonald riding is some pointer. Keep safe. 2. Nicochet is always a chance in this sort of race and he’s hovering around a win. Looked the winner at Canterbury last time but was cut down late. Honest performer who should be competitive.

How to play it: Mr Wong E/W ($7.00 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Mr Wong runs fourth at Rosehill on February 22

2. Destiny’s Own has been excellent in two runs for the new stable and is as good a chance as any in this open race. Handles the wet, he’s finished strongly in both recent efforts and arrived in time along the fence to win last time. Sure to run well again.

Dangers: 9. Killer Instinct was never really in the hunt at Rosehill last time off a month’s break. She’ll be fitter and she showed more than enough over summer to suggest she should improve back to the mile. Handles a wet track and expecting her to show up. 12. On The White Turf finished ahead of Killer Instinct at Rosehill as she hit the line nicely from the back to be midfield. Form is good through the first-up win and the extra trip is right up her alley so she should be around the mark. 6. New Arrangement is another Chris Waller import first-up and he also hasn’t trialled officially. He has had two jump outs at Flemington, winning the latest on February 28. Market a strong guide, if he’s above average he could be too good.

How to play it: Destiny’s Own E/W ($13 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Destiny’s Own wins at Canterbury on February 21

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