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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 to heavy track.

1. Ceremonious was only getting warm at the finish first-up at Hawkesbury so should be a lot fitter. Rises in weight but did have a 4kg claim there and finds the premier jockey. Has a great racing style and should be in this for a long way.

Dangers: 2. Wipeout has had the benefit of three runs at 1400m this time in so steps to the mile and should be at his peak. Thought he had his chance at Kensington two weeks ago but went down narrowly and has to be respected. 11. Sunshine Law comes through the same race at what was her debut. She had some specking in the betting and worked home fairly into fifth. Open to improvement. 3. Nosferatu is another who debuted in that Kensington race and it was a forgive after being bumped out of the way on the turn before picking up to pass one in the run home. Soft draw, home track, he could lift.

How to play it: Ceremonious WIN ($3.00 TAB Fixed Odds).

Ceremonious runs second at Hawkesbury on July 11

11. Qatars Choice was a $950,000 yearling and was set to debut on Saturday but was pulled out due to the deteriorating track. Will still strike wet ground but looked good in her two recent trials, draws well and should be competitive.

Dangers: 12. Silmarillion was runner-up in the G2 Reisling Stakes in March before a fifth in the Baillieu at 1400m. Has been solid in two trials and back to a maiden has her chance to break through. Logical threat. 5. Alpine Ski led on debut at Kembla, on a good track, and just failed to hold off the winner in what was a two horse war down the straight. Imagine he lands in or near the lead here and could take running down. 6. Forever Fortune is on debut for Chris Waller and betting might be a guide after two fairly quiet trials finishing behind the placings. Was niggled a bit in the latest but prepared to keep him safe.

How to play it: Qatars Choice WIN ($4.60 TAB Fixed Odds).

Qatars Choice wins a Warwick Farm trial on July 1

10. Pinito showed some promise earlier this year with two eye-catching placings on the Kensington track in March. Trialled well on two occasions, drawn to settle that bit closer than she has to date and looks a good chance to break through first-up.

Dangers: 3. Ragga Ragga has been solidly supported in both starts to date but not lived up to it. Returns with two handy trials on wet ground and this is her first race in rain affected conditions so prepared to give her another chance. 7. Theblade has had three trials in the last six weeks and held on to win the latest at Rosehill on a good track. Draws the inside and if he’s as effective on soft ground he should run well. 9. Motcombs is a nicely bred filly who cost $950,000 at the sales, she worked home well late in a 792m heat recently and is one to keep an eye on.

How to play it: Pinito WIN ($2.20 TAB Fixed Odds).

Pinito runs third in a Warwick Farm trial on July 15

8. California Sunrise did look to have her chance last time at Kembla but she was five weeks between runs and stepping up to a mile so she should be better for it. Yet to run a bad race and entitled to another look in a winnable event.

Dangers: 6. Gold Pattern is third-up and gets to this trip after an even fourth over 1400m at Newcastle where she was sent out favourite. This should be the best run of her prep to date. 1. Zouphoria has been a bit disappointing but on her placing two starts back in BM78 grade she’s more than capable of bouncing back to her best. 2. Let Me Reign broke through for a strong win third-up at Hawkesbury back on top of the ground after two fair efforts on heavy at this track. That’s the query, if she can reproduce it here.

How to play it: California Sunrise WIN ($4.20 TAB Fixed Odds).

California Sunrise runs third at Kembla on July 18

1. Whetu has the hoof on the till after his narrow defeat in a similar race three weeks ago where he was edged out by the winner who saved ground on the inside. Has an extra 1kg but this is no harder and should be right in the finish.

Dangers: 7. Tenniel has hit her straps this preparation following a Wyong maiden win with another all the way win at Hawkesbury. Will roll forward here and if she gets any control she could easily complete the hat-trick. 5. Golden Pierro led them up but couldn’t sustain it when fifth in the same race as Whetu. Too good over 2000m at Hawkesbury before that and with blinkers on is worth another chance. 3. Lyrical Gangster returned with a nice third at Canterbury but three runs since have been well below par. Take him on trust but has the chance to find some form back a notch in grade.

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

Whetu runs second at Warwick Farm on July 10

1. Presser has a case to be forgiven for efforts since winning at Canterbury in May. Had a tough run at Randwick last time but drops in class, gets a 3kg claim so has the best set up he’s had for a while to find his form again.

Dangers: 2. Sailor contested the same race as Presser last time and boxed on okay for fourth after having his chance. Runner-up to Space Age here prior to that so that form reads well and he’s also in receipt of a 3kg claim. Go well. 5. Influential resumed in testing conditions at Rosehill six weeks ago so disregard her efforts there. Has trialled recently and worked home well but that was on a good track. Has to run a mile on at least soft ground so may be a risk but if she strikes her best she can feature. 3. Casino Kid hasn’t won for a while but also comes back in class after failing at Randwick. Three previous efforts in country features were even so could be placed.

How to play it: Presser WIN ($5.00 TAB Fixed Odds).

Presser’s last start at Randwick on July 13

2. Flying Destiny is getting close to a win and as he tends to run his best races from the front he gets that chance in this race. Raced wide when placed here two runs back then chased hard but no match for all the way winner at Canterbury last week. If he finds the lead he’s hard to run down.

Dangers: 4. The Replicant is on the back up from running an even fourth at Randwick on Saturday. Up 3.5kg but is an honest type who will be in the finish somewhere if he handles the quick turnaround. 10. Nightingale is an up and comer who was a bit too good first-up at Hawkesbury on a heavy track. Sat handy there and drops 4kg into this. Biggest test but chance to measure up. 8. Hide Your Heart can do better than what she’s produced in her past couple since an eye-catching return at this track and distance. Worth including in the chances.

How to play it: Flying Destiny WIN ($6.50 TAB Fixed Odds).

Flying Destiny runs second at Canterbury on July 24

8. Elegant Empress did a good job when resuming over this course three weeks ago, she hit the lead early in the straight and was only reeled in late. Third horse has since won in town while the winner started favourite on Saturday. Fitter and sure to be thereabouts.

Dangers: 4. Lost hasn’t raced since March where she failed at Flemington but bled so can forgive that. Two trials have been quite easy and she’ll likely have the last call at these from the wide gate with speed drawn inside. Definite chance. 5. Oceans One started favourite in a similar grade at Kensington two weeks ago and disappointed. Previous two efforts were sound and he’s entitled to another chance. 3. Kiribati has been too slick in two wins at this trip at the provincials this time in so has earned the shot in town. Down in weight with the claim and drawn to be prominent.

How to play it: Elegant Empress EACH-WAY ($7.00 TAB Fixed Odds).

Elegant Empress runs second at Warwick Farm on July 10

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