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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 good track.

6. Miss Freelove looks set to make a handy debut on the back of a couple of nice recent trials. Held together in the latest one and could have won it if desired. Drawn to get an economical run and should be competitive in an open race.

Dangers: 1. Scrumptious has had her chance in second placings in both runs this time in but at the same time has held her ground pretty well. Has an extra 100m now but expect she will be prominent from the outset. 3. Café Au Lait is on debut after two trials at Warwick Farm in the past month and they’ve been typical of the stable as she’s cruised along just behind them. No surprise if she puts herself in the finish. 2. Bassett’s Choice moved well in her first Sydney trial, having had two hitouts in Queensland, at Rosehill last week. Finds James McDonald and has to be kept safe.

How to play it: Miss Freelove WIN ($5.50 TAB Fixed Odds).

Miss Freelove runs second in a Rosehill trial on April 4

1. Hidden Motive made a promising debut in the spring running fourth in the Breeders’ Plate. Latest couple of trials have been strong at Muswellbrook and Newcastle and while drawn wide it’s not such a bad thing at this start. Should be hard to beat.

Dangers: 8. Outer Banks won two trials in March including one over subsequent Group 1 winner Vinrock. Was scratched from a race last week which explains the gap. Must be respected. 5. Explicit showed some nice improvement into his second trial for a closing second at Rosehill two weeks ago. Nicely drawn and stable’s two-year-olds have been going well of late so keep in mind. 10. Viva Mauricio wasn’t asked for anything in his trial at Rosehill last week and any market support would be significant given the Waller/McDonald combination.

How to play it: Hidden Motive WIN ($2.40 TAB Fixed Odds).

Hidden Motive wins a Newcastle trial on April 2

1. Dwayne has been honest in both starts to date, leading and just being run down late at Gosford a couple of weeks ago. No harder here and should be at peak now, with the inside alley he’ll have every chance to go one better.

Dangers: 4. Jason Darren has been placed in five of his six starts and has been on the pace in each of them. Another placing is within reach at the least. 9. Sacro Cantino showed a bit of staying promise in his first preparation and comes here fresh at a mile off one trial. Could feature and betting a good guide. 2. First Thought is on debut for the Maher stable and the mile probably suits first-up after working to win a 1200m trial recently.

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

Dwayne runs second at Gosford on March 27

4. Soul Of Spain has struck a great opportunity to break through at his third Australian start in the small field. Has gone back from wide gates in two runs in Victoria and closed off strongly in both, particularly the latest when third at Ballarat. Take beating.

Dangers: 1. Casual Connection bounced back to his best form with a solid win over this course two weeks ago on a soft 7 track. Is partial to the Farm and could easily hold his form. 3. Bacio Del Mist won here in early March then jumped to Group company for a solid fifth in the Epona before making some ground from an impossible position in the Chairman’s. Definite chance here. 5. Decadent Tale is a consistent mare who won at Wyong two back before an even fourth behind Casual Connection. She’ll be thereabouts again.

How to play it: Soul Of Spain WIN ($2.30 TAB Fixed Odds).

2. Little Cointreau is rarely out of the placings and did win first-up last time in. Two trials back have been fine, without anything being asked, and if the speed is on here he should be charging home at the finish. Good each-way chance as he always puts in.

Dangers: 11. Lyles is an up and comer who was huge at Rosehill first-up before coasting home at Kembla Grange a month ago to win his maiden. Has trialled again since and drawn to get every chance to measure up. 8. Media World took on much stronger company in the spring with his best effort a third behind Swiftfalcon at a mile. Recent trial winner drawn nicely and he’s entitled to show something first-up. 3. True To Form hasn’t raced since October and did kick off his first local prep with two provincial wins. Been a while since his latest official trial so keep an eye on betting for a pointer.

How to play it: Little Cointreau EACH-WAY ($10 TAB Fixed Odds).

Little Cointreau runs fifth in a Warwick Farm trial on April 7

6. Candlewick probably should be unbeaten but either way she ended her first prep with an easy Kensington win back in December. Might have found the 804m a touch sharp in her latest trial but she worked home well and from the inside should be prominent.

Dangers: 8. How Dare You promised a bit last preparation but was winless in three runs. Arguably should have gone very close first-up where she blew the start and was held up so a big run fresh isn’t out of the question. 5. Hellbent On You has returned in good form with a first-up Hawkesbury win then her closing third at Kensington three weeks ago. Definite chance. 16. Love And Light started $1.30 and was never in doubt winning a maiden first-up at Newcastle albeit on a heavy track. Fitter for that given she’d not raced since July and while more depth here she’s in the mix.

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

Candlewick runs fourth in a Warwick Farm trial on April 7

4. Snack Bar was thrown in the deep end in the spring and performed well with placings behind Autumn Glow and Lady Shenandoah in his first two. Kicks off here at a shorter trip and fitter for two trials which suggest he’s in good order. Will need a touch of luck but should go close.

Dangers: 3. King Of Roseau has been gelded since his two start Queensland prep over summer where he wasn’t disgraced in the Magic Millions. Nice trial win over Imperial Force recently and he’s capable of winning this on his best efforts. 8. Drift Net has tended to find one or two better as she did in all five runs last preparation. One trial and she can be expected to be competitive as usual. 1. Deprivation is honest and did win first-up at Newcastle last time in over 1250m. On pacer who has trialled well as you’d expect and if he’s given any favours he’ll be a threat.

How to play it: Snack Bar WIN ($2.30 TAB Fixed Odds).

Snack Bar runs sixth in a Warwick Farm trial on April 7

12. Poppin’ Champagne ran a nice race first-up two weeks ago at 1400m and should appreciate a firmer track for the step up to a mile. She has run some nice races in good company and from the inside gate there should be no excuses for her to run to her best.

Dangers: 6. It’s A Knockout will need a bit of luck from the barrier but she’s down in grade after starting in the market in the Epona on Golden Slipper Day. Group 3 placed at Randwick before that and she has to be considered. 5. Jamberoo was placed in the Little Dance in the spring and he can run a cheeky race fresh at the mile. Will improve on whatever he does but worth each-way thought. 14. Mountain Top ran her best race this time in when runner-up over this course behind Bianco Vilano two weeks ago. Expect she can hold that form now.

How to play it: Poppin’ Champagne EACH-WAY ($7.00 TAB Fixed Odds).

Poppin’ Champagne runs fourth at Warwick Farm on April 2

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