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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. Blue Vein has to go on top though there’s a chance he comes out if it’s heavy. Returned from eight months off the scene with an eye-catching third at Randwick on Boxing Day and has a completely different set up from barrier one with a run under his belt.

Dangers: 4. Sunshine Law has a couple of soft 7 placings from last time in so she should handle whatever conditions present. Started $1.40 when resuming at Newcastle and ran on without threatening into second place. Will be better for it and is hard to beat. 2. Vetwelve was a significant drifter in betting first-up at Canterbury but did run on nicely enough into second. Not sure on a wet track but if he does handle it he’s in the mix. 3. City Gold Banner showed improvement into his second trial to win narrowly at Rosehill just before Christmas. Market a guide but is at least a place chance.

How to play it: Blue Vein WIN ($1.90 TAB Fixed Odds).

Blue Vein runs third at Randwick on December 26

1. Believe In Angels should have finished a lot closer on debut when runner-up at Wyong and did a good job to squeeze through and fill that placing after being sandwiched close to the line. Likely to have some upside off just one trial and if that’s the case he’s a good chance.

Dangers: 9. Modella is an interesting debutante and she found the line quite well in her latest trial at Rosehill, her first for four months. Wouldn’t surprise if she gave some cheek. 3. Railway Man was an expensive yearling and has placed once in four starts. Boxed on okay when resuming in a good form race at Canterbury a few weeks ago. This is a good opportunity to show something. 5. Our Little Star started favourite in the same race as Believe In Angels and was a little disappointing in running sixth. Previous effort was sound and entitled to another chance.

How to play it: Believe In Angels WIN ($4.00 TAB Fixed Odds).

Believe In Angels runs second at Wyong on December 21

3. It’s A Wonder is well placed third-up after a top win at Hawkesbury then a fifth in a Midway at Randwick where she didn’t get the best of luck. Handles all conditions and a mile suits. Just has to overcome a potentially slowly run race and she’ll be hard to hold out.

Dangers: 1. Alice Mae finished just ahead of It’s A Wonder in that Midway and she meets her 3kg better so she can’t be underestimated. Won three straight prior to that and is hard to ignore. 2. Heaven Bound has mixed her form and comes back to the mile after three runs at 1900m at Canterbury. Did fail on a heavy track there when well in the market in November. Worth including. 8. So Newchee Thinks had support when resuming at Taree and hit the line strongly late to run into third. Stepping up in trip suits and she is a heavy track winner. Keep in mind.

How to play it: It’s A Wonder WIN ($2.70 TAB Fixed Odds).

It’s A Wonder runs fifth at Randwick on December 28

5. Bartolf was far too good when coming off a two month break at Newcastle and he can only be better for it. Debut win was on a heavy track so whatever ground shouldn’t bother him and he gets his chance in city company.

Dangers: 4. Codetta won nicely in a handy form race at Canterbury on soft 6 before an even effort at Randwick where she ran into fourth but safely held by those in front. Looks the main threat here. 2. The Years hasn’t raced since April when tackling Group 3 company. At this sort of level he’s proven capable and should land on the speed from the inside. Keep safe. 3. Don’t Doubt Merlin comes through a Benchmark 78 at Randwick on Boxing Day and was close up there beaten a length. Back a notch and was placed in this company prior. One of the chances.

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

Bartolf wins at Newcastle on December 19

7. Tiger Town has been crying out for a mile after a couple of very nice runs in Midway company at Randwick. Was closing on them nicely beaten just over two lengths by Emmadella last time, a mile on his home track with some sting out is ideal and he should go close.

Dangers: 1. Ravello has run well in better company than this and gets the chance to improve on his battling effort at Randwick a few weeks ago. Won here first-up and is entitled to be competitive. 2. Malabar got the job done over this course first-up and he’s another who doesn’t mind a rain affected track. Down in weight after the claim and if he can hold his form he’s a major player. 4. Happy Saturday drops 4kg on a disappointing effort behind Malabar, that followed an easy Wyong win. Worth another chance.

How to play it: Tiger Town WIN ($3.70 TAB Fixed Odds).

Tiger Town runs seventh at Randwick on December 28

3. Storm The Ramparts did a very good job when resuming at Randwick on Boxing Day, he jumped too well and couldn’t find a forward spot so had to be dragged back and wide. Still on ran on to be beaten a length. Fitter, likes it wet and has won here. Should take beating.

Dangers: 9. Rantan was solidly supported when getting the job done over this course a week before Christmas. That was on a good track so she has to do it again on rain affected ground but hard to fault her resolve lately. 8. Outback Miss won her first two starts in Victoria on wet tracks and was competitive in her two runs last time in on good ground. Fitter for a couple of Sydney trials and she stays under notice. 1. Wondereach boxed on okay after racing on speed when resuming behind Rantan and should be fitter for that. Handles some sting out so should be around the mark.

How to play it: Storm The Ramparts WIN ($2.70 TAB Fixed Odds).

Storm The Ramparts runs fourth at Randwick on December 26

5. Winston Hills is a promising type who won so impressively when resuming from a long break at Canterbury then had no luck at all as favourite at Randwick. Should find plenty of clean air from his outside barrier and based on his trials a soft track shouldn’t hurt. Clearly the one to beat.

Dangers: 9. The Replicant always runs well though doesn’t win out of turn as his 19 placings suggest. Inclined to forgive his second-up effort and he’ll relish a wet track. Blinkers on too so has to be respected. 6. Sweysive hit the line nicely when resuming at Canterbury a couple of weeks ago and the extra 200m is in his favour. Hasn’t won in a while but rarely far off them. 4. Destiny’s Delight is a good wet tracker resuming and it wouldn’t surprise if she ran a nice race fresh. Won over a mile here on a heavy 10 in May. Keep in mind.

How to play it: Winston Hills WIN ($3.10 TAB Fixed Odds).

Winston Hills runs fourth at Randwick on December 26

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