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By Ray Hickson

Tips and race by race preview by Ray Hickson for Wednesday’s meeting at Warwick Farm. The track is rated a Soft 5 and the rail is out 5m from the 1000m to the post then out 3m remainder.

8. Schnapps is a very interesting debutant and he looked the part winning his Hawkesbury trial a couple of weeks ago. This is not going to be any easy kill and he has drawn out (though it’s basically a straight run to the home turn) but he does look to have a bit of quality about him. It wouldn’t surprise if the gate is offset quickly. I’d like to see a bit of raceday support but expecting him to run well.

Danger: 10. Glamour Cruise was beaten by a smart one at her only start back in October and she has trialled quite well since. Travelled strongly when winning at Rosehill on February 19 and she will give a good account up on the speed. 2. Lilith hasn’t done anything wrong in two starts to date and comes off a couple of months freshen up following her easy win at Gosford in January. Held together on a heavy track in her trial and she should be very competitive here. 7. Roosevelt was held together in his latest trial where he was nabbed late by Tchaikovsky. That was almost a month ago but pay to keep safe.

How to play it: Schnapps E/W ($4.20 TAB Fixed Odds).

Schnapps wins his Hawkesbury trial in good style on February 20

5. Tarabai is a very promising filly and she showed fight to win on debut at Hawkesbury before just bumping into a nice one in Sheikha at the Farm almost a month ago. She attacked the line strongly on that occasion, covering more ground than any other runner and clocking 33.84 for the last 600m (Punters Intel), so the 1200m should suit her. It’s a competitive race but she’s one on the way up sho will be hard to beat.

Dangers: 2. Limbo Soul was under pressure a fair way from home when chasing She Will Reign first-up in the Inglis Sprint and she stuck on pretty well to just hold third. Fitter for that run, her first in 11 months and it wouldn’t surprise if she gains control and takes plenty of running down. 3. Workdrinks was a little plain when resuming at Rosehill behind I Am Excited but there’s less depth in this field so expect her to improve. Listed placed back in the spring at 1400m. Must be considered a strong chance. 1. Legadema had control when winning at Gosford first-up then no match for Spending To Win after being unable to lead at Canterbury. Will either lead or let Limbo Soul cross her here and in the small field is not out of contention.

How to play it: Tarabai WIN ($3.90 TAB Fixed Odds).

Tarabai just fails to run down Sheikha at Warwick Farm on February 14.

Plenty of question marks here and this looks a tough race. I liked the way 8. Golden Lily found the line late at Wyong when out to the mile for the first time, running the fastest last 200m of 11.91 (Punters Intel). She was a drifter in betting there and started double figure odds but it was no harder race than she meets here. If she can match, and improve off, that last start effort then she’s a good each-way chance without getting excited.

Dangers: 5. Semper Fidelis showed a lot of promise in her first prep then resumed at Wyong with a fair effort running fifth over 1350m. She did suffer some interference before the turn but was out in plenty of time and only held her ground. Fitter and worth another chance. 3. Mandylion led them up in the same race as Semper Fidelis and she kept fighting on to run second after being unwanted in betting. Expect she’ll be up on the pace once again and could take some running down. 1. Smiling Manolito was strong late from last at Canterbury two starts ago then sat outside the lead last Friday night and couldn’t go with them. Better off ridden a bit colder and he has been threatening to win a race. Keep in mind.

How to play it: Golden Lily E/W ($7.50 TAB Fixed Odds).

Golden Lily stretches out late to finish a close fourth at Wyong on February 20

This race will test out just how forgiving we are. 3. Danzie was widely expected to win at Canterbury a couple of weeks ago as the $1.35 favourite. Maybe he didn’t appreciate having to chase a leader that had opened up a few lengths on him? No luck before that and an easy winner fresh at this track. Blinkers and Jason Collett go back on and we know he’ll be up in the first few. With Tangmere out of the way he's entitled to win this.

Dangers: 4. Turnberry looks like a horse wanting more ground as well, he finished a couple of lengths of them at Canterbury second-up and was just warming up. I doubt he can pull that margin back with only an extra 50m but he’s the only other winning chance for mine. Of the others 9. Vain Elaine could be an improver back in trip after seemingly going through the motions at her last few. Has won at this track and trip and has place claims. 7. Lani Girl is fitter for two runs back from a spell and did make some ground in a race controlled on the speed at Canterbury on February 16. Keep in mind.

How to play it: Danzie WIN ($1.95 TAB Fixed Odds).

Can you forgive Danzie’s last start third at Canterbury as an odds on favourite?

On paper this 1000m scamper appears to be just that, a fast run race, and I’m not attacking it with a great deal of confidence because sometimes it doesn’t work out that way. That said, if it does, 4. Rebel Miss is the type that enjoys a genuine tempo and can produce a solid finish off one. She did something like that in her last win over this course back in September. She trialled quite well a few weeks back and goes well fresh. Good each-way hope.

Dangers: 7. Isaurian sat outside the leader and kicked away to win his only start in October in a three-year-old maiden at this track. I thought the trial was inconclusive but he’s worth a bit of respect here fresh. 2. Brook Magic has good early speed and if she happens to cross them and find the front she can take plenty of running down. She did that fresh on Australia Day then went to Moonee Valley for a 955m event at had no luck. Can bounce back if it pans out for her. 3. Postmaster General was ridden with intent to lead at Hawkesbury fresh and was never seriously threatened in winning. Fresh with six weeks between runs and I wouldn’t expect the tactics to change too much from the inside gate. Worth including.

How to play it: Rebel Miss E/W ($6.00 TAB Fixed Odds).

Rebel Miss cruises in a Warwick Farm trial win on February 15

Happy enough to stick with 5. Tip Top whose three runs this time in have been excellent and he seems to relish being kept on the fresh side. Was a month between runs when a luckless second at Randwick on February 7 where he was held up at a vital stage. He’s versatile enough to take advantage of the barrier if circumstances require and he should be hard to hold out.

Dangers: 3. Star Of Monsoon has found his purpose as a gelding and measured right up to this sort of level in his last couple of starts. Tried hard behind Suncraze at Randwick last time after having the one-one trail, up to 1400m but from gate one should get plenty of favours. Go well. 2. Drochaid is a Godolphin import having his first local start and he creates plenty of interest. Best form has been around the 2000m or so but his second trial was an indication that he has some ability and kicking off at 1400m will give him a chance to show it. Watch for a betting move but keep safe regardless. 4. Ataraxia had a mixed preparation with a first-up win and a Listed win in the spring but didn’t measure up in Melbourne before a spell. His two trials have been a bit hard to read so his place in the market will be a handy guide come post time. Could show up.

How to play it: Tip Top WIN ($3.20 TAB Fixed Odds).

Tip Top’s luckless second at Randwick back on February 7

Wide open race, if you’re keen on one don’t let me talk you out of it. 7. Crafty Tycoon is racing very well this time in and he had no luck here over 1400m two starts back when wide throughout on the pace then left it too late but hit the line strongly behind Renewal at Canterbury. Punters Intel showed he ran a race best last 600m of 35.25 and last 200m of 11.90. Drawn well for a change so it’ll be interesting to see where he gets to and Hugh Bowman is a nice pick up jockey. Sure to run an honest race again.

Dangers: 3. Oriental Runner was allowed to run his own race in front at Canterbury a couple of weeks ago and held off the chasers. He seems at his best when controlling so if that happens here he will be very hard to run down. 2. Groundbreak flopped first-up last prep then hit his straps with a couple of provincial wins before going down fighting at Randwick in October. Just touched out by Marble, who is handy on his day, in a recent trial and is sure to be competitive. 9. Centro Superior is one of those horses that you can’t leave out as he’ll cause you trouble if you do. Made some ground behind Raiden here over 1000m last time and close up to Tswalu before that. Any rain helps his cause.

How to play it: Crafty Tycoon E/W ($7.00 TAB Fixed Odds).

Crafty Tycoon hits the line strongly late to run third at Canterbury on February 9

A race of many chances to wind up the program. 11. Sexy Eyes resumed with an excellent second behind the very talented Serene Miss at Canterbury on a soft track a couple of weeks back and this race is no harder. Ran a slashing 11.28 for her last 200m there (Punters Intel). Yet to be tried beyond 1200m and her best effort last prep was fresh but from a soft gate she’s entitled to be hitting the line strongly. Good chance.

Dangers: 10. Dancers had no hope of winning the way the race was run when she resumed with a late closing third to Oriental Runner at Canterbury. She may wind up going back again from the wide gate but she’s well worth plenty of respect. 3. Missile Coda was a huge drifter second-up at Randwick behind Suncraze, led and boxed on fairly well to be beaten just over a length. Well supported first-up here so keep an eye on betting especially with Kerrin McEvoy taking the ride. 1. Irithea was solid in the market running second in the same race as Dancers when up on the pace all the way. Expect she will press forward again and give her usual honest account. Others chances 9. Antelope and 12. Art Of Dance.

How to play it: Sexy Eyes E/W ($5.00 TAB Fixed Odds).

Sexy Eyes runs on strongly in second at Canterbury on February 21

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