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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.

8. Katalin looks a nice filly for Godolphin and she’s bred to be handy being out of a multiple stakeswinning mare who has produced Group 3 winner Ranier. This filly has trialled very well twice, closed late in a short trial then held ground nicely over 1030m. Drawn ideally and expect her to fire.

Dangers: 12. Valdostana was thrown in a deeper pool than this one on debut back in February and wasn’t disgraced behind Tenley. Blinkers on, has trialled strongly on two occasions and with even luck should run well. 10. Skymist appeared to have a nice run in front and every chance on debut at Kensington, but better for the experience and will press forward from the wide gate. Open to improvement. 2. Best Stone finished just ahead of Skymist in the same race after sitting outside her in the run. She’ll come across with that horse (though the 1200m start is basically a straight run to the turn) and be competitive again. Suspect she has less upside this prep so the tables may be turned.

How to play it: Katalin E/W ($4.80 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: EVENS.

Katalin runs second in a trial at Rosehill on December 30

9. Rammstein is back as a gelding and he looks to have improved quite a deal going on what he’s shown in his two trials. He contested maidens last prep won by some smart horses and if he has come back better he’s drawn to get every chance to show what he’s made of.

Dangers: 4. Dominus has some appealing trial form through his two hitouts this time in (he has trialled earlier in the year) with a second to Quantico and a narrow win over Napster. Respect any market moves, keep him safe. 2. Cathars has also been gelded and it’s hard to miss the names of the horses that have won his two starts to date, being Yes Yes Yes and Castelvecchio. Second trial was better than the first and no surprise to see him run well. 12. Travest caught the eye in his latest trial running on nicely from last and could be under the radar here. Probably goes back again and hits the line hard. 5. Garrison disappointed first-up and has the blinkers on. Has to improve but can’t leave out on one so-so effort.

How to play it: Rammstein WIN ($4.40 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Rammstein wins a trial at Rosehill on December 30

2. Chocolatier has had excuses for his last couple and the blinkers coming off in a race without a lot of pressure can see him turn it around. Over-raced badly last time and dropped out and at Canterbury he bucked for the first 100m or so but still managed to run third. Nash back on, good chance.

Dangers: 5. Magic Over The Bay has put a couple of nice efforts together and worked his way through the field from well back to run second to Quality Seeker, who has run well since, on Boxing Day. Each-way claims again. 1. Breakdance is a one-pacer who wasn’t suited coming back to 1800m last week but boxed on as well as can be expected behind Killer Instinct. Extra 400m is in his favour and he did lead all the way to win over this course in October. 6. Sepulchre has struck a purple match with successive Canberra wins at 2000m. In the market and not far off Magic Over The Bay three starts back so wouldn't surprise to see her measure up.

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

Chocolatier runs third at Canterbury on December 13

4. Heart Of The Oak has trialled sensationally on two occasions and looks a horse on the way up. She improved with each run last time in, winning two from three, and has the versatility to be handy if needed. If she runs up to the trials she’ll taking stopping. Read trainer Gerald Ryan's comments here.

Dangers: 6. Lillemor is another up and comer who has led to win both her starts at tighter tracks. Had basically an uncontested lead last time at Wyong but could get some control here too. Blinkers on and she’s the logical horse to catch. 7. Super Longlea looked good winning her first two starts and has been freshened since finished well back here six weeks ago. Went back from a wide gate there and was never a factor but inclined to overlook. Trialled two weeks ago and could bounce back. 2. Positive Peace found one better at her last three runs in the winter but was very competitive on each occasion. Led all the way to win her latest trial at 1100m and can be somewhere in the finish.

How to play it: Heart Of The Oak WIN ($3.80 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: EVENS.

Heart Of The Oak wins a trial at Rosehill on December 30

2. Ocean Go ran right up to a handy first-up placing when scoring at Wyong, responding to a stop-start race and proving too strong late. Step up to a mile only helps his cause and while up in class he’s one of few with upside this prep and drawn to have every chance to measure up.

Dangers: 8. The Promise broke a run of outs with a fighting win at Randwick on Boxing Day over this trip. Nash might be a good booking for her, she’s drawn well and if she holds form she will be in the finish again. 10. Ondo Pasa has been racing well with a win at Wyong then a close third to Asharani and Word For Word so is down in class here. Repeat of that performance would see her be very competitive. 5. Agosto is an interesting runner resuming and won two from four in his first Australian prep. Ultimately will want further but is a promising staying type and has to be considered in a wide open race.

How to play it: Ocean Go E/W ($6.00 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: EVENS.

Ocean Go wins at Wyong on December 19

2. Through The Cracks is bursting to win a race and might have conditions to suit him here with a bit of pace up front and a roomier track. Forgive the Newcastle effort when he over raced, caught the eye at Gosford where he conceded too much start on the tight track, but still ran a slick 33.50 for the last 600m (Punter's Intelligence), and the form has held up. Big chance.

Dangers: 15. Chat has found the line with purpose in two runs back over shorter trips. Eligible for easier races but beaten less than a length by He’s Super Lucky in this class second-up and the 1300m brings him right into it. 4. Playard comes through the same race where he ran fifth and he was held up a little early in the straight. Soft draw, blinkers on, down 2kg so well worth considering each-way. 8. Rari will be up in the firing line and he’s coming off a tough win at Randwick on Boxing Day over this trip. Seems to need to lead to produce his best, but if that’s not the case then he could measure up.

How to play it: Through The Cracks E/W ($4.80 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Through The Cracks runs third at Gosford on December 27

12. Coco Cuber is probably the most interesting runner all day. He’s blown the start in both starts and put up big efforts to run a close second on debut then to lead most of the way first-up at Gosford. Not sure of the depth of that win but the effort can’t be faulted and he was dominant. Could take the next step.

Dangers: 8. Chewbacca is set to run a cheeky race fresh. There was plenty to like about his trial splitting Champagne Cuddles and Invincibella last month and has shown enough ability to suggest if all is in order he can feature. 6. Exceed The Stars did a good job to win first-up at Wyong a month ago and can only be fitter. He’s a generally competitive horse still with some upside and is an each-way chance at least. 11. Crimlet debuted in a strong form race then won her next two starts in pretty good fashion and held them comfortably at Newcastle last time. Probably won’t be able to lead this field but still on the up so worth some thought.

How to play it: Coco Cuber WIN ($3.60 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: EVENS.

Coco Cuber wins at Gosford on December 27

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