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By Ray Hickson

Ray Hickson’s tips and insights for Friday’s feature Wyong Gold Cup meeting. Likely to be a few short priced favourites on the eight race card!

The track will be Good and the rail is in the True position.

It’s make or break time for Showtime who has a third to She Will Reign, beaten two lengths, against his name and a first-up second beating Wednesday’s Canterbury winner Faeger home among his four placings from six starts. Drawn to lead if desired with not a great deal of other speed on paper and while he’s entitled to be a short priced favourite he’s equally entitled to break through. Blinkers go back on, can’t see any excuses.

Danger: If you don’t trust Showtime then the big query is Silverwin who is first-up as a gelding off two very good trials. He’s been given some time by the Waller stable and has Hugh Bowman on board. The market has him a clear second pick and he looks the only realistic danger.

How to play it: Showtime WIN ($1.50 TAB Fixed Odds)

Showtime running second to Songlike at Canterbury – August 16

Thought the favourites were a bit under the odds and settled on Torvill after a very nice closing second at Gosford second-up from a break though the value has now gone. She has a fitness edge on her opposition and if she runs up to her latest effort she should take beating.

Danger: African Rainbow has shown glimpses of talent, probably gets back from the outside gate but that might not be such an issue after the scratchings. Will be the one hitting the line strongly late.

How to play it: Torvill E/W ($3.50 TAB Fixed Odds)

Torvill finishing second to Acqume at Gosford - August 17

Princess Posh was scratched from a race at Canterbury on Wednesday to run here with four rivals and she’s hard to go past. She closed off her race very nicely fresh, won second-up last time in and the trip is no issue as she was placed in a Provincial Championship heat at this track. Not much else to say.

Danger: Schubert appears the only threat to the favourite though the blinkers will want to switch him on as his last start third at Canterbury was just a fair effort. Only just secured third place and never threatened the first two. He has his chance here with the shades on and the 4kg off the top weight.

How to play it: Princess Posh WIN ($2.00 TAB Fixed Odds)

Princess Posh runs into third at Canterbury on August 16

After the scratching of Dante Rossetti I'm left with the only other horse I gave a serious winning chance to and that's High Tranquility. Fought hard when challenged at Kembla Grange last start and is still on the up. Only query now is what pace there is for her but she's the one to beat.

Danger: Concisely battled on quite well second-up when up to a mile and with the blinkers on here and the extra fitness might be able to find that extra length or so.

How to play it: High Tranquility WIN ($2.60 TAB Fixed Odds)

High Tranquility winning at Kembla Grange – August 19

Another race where I’m torn between two. Sisken started her last prep with three solid wins then raced a bit flat at Randwick but still only beaten a length. She’s drawn to take up a nice spot just off the pace – could lead if desired – and there was nothing wrong with her recent trial. Like to see a bit of support for her but if she hits the front on the turn she will take catching.

Danger: Rosa Carolina might have to concede a start from the awkward alley as I can’t see her crossing a few of the quicker ones inside. She was Listed placed during The Championships at 1400m and has a solid first-up record. I liked the way she finished off her second trial and if they run along up front she’s capable of swamping them.

How to play it: Sisken E/W ($4.80 TAB Fixed Odds)

Sisken’s Warwick Farm trial – August 14

I found it hard to go away from Sweet Redemption who beat several of her rivals in this race when she won the Toy Show first-up at Randwick and meets most of them better at the weights. We know she’ll look to lead and we know when she’s in form she generally holds it and she’s always in for the fight when challenged.

Danger: Imposing Lass is once again favourite and unless she was horribly underdone in the Toy Show she’s going to need to improve a bit to turn the tables with a 1.5kg swing against her. Her second-up record is better than her fresh stats so there is scope for some improvement. Faith’s Encore has taken a couple of runs to reach her top and she’s a bit of overs with the inside gate and the chance to get the leader’s back.

How to play it: Sweet Redemption WIN ($4.80 TAB Fixed Odds)

Sweet Redemption’s all the way win in the Toy Show - August 19

Sayed really should have this field covered. Sure he was beaten at $1.65 at Randwick last time and you couldn’t make any real excuse but he did have 61kg. Won in a canter before that and hasn’t finished worse than second in seven runs this preparation. High in the betting for the Metropolitan and entitled to win.

Danger: Bad luck, really. But Get On The Grange might be able to run second to Sayed again as he did at Randwick on August 5. Ridden a bit upside down last start, also in the same race as Sayed, so forgive that run. Locally trained and is way over the odds at double figures even though I don’t see him turning the tables.

How to play it: Sayed WIN ($1.55 TAB Fixed Odds) or just anchor your quaddie.

Sayed romps home at Randwick on August 5

I can’t believe Raiden isn’t favourite here, especially after the scratchings basically negate the only negative which was the barrier. I will be very surprised if he doesn’t assume the top spot at some stage. He was a good thing beaten at Port Macquarie first-up where he was supposed to have an easy kill then headed to Gosford and cantered in. Skipping a grade but I see him as already a Class 2 horse at least and I’d rate him as at least as good a winning chance as Sayed in the Cup.

Danger: Piracy scrambled home to win a questionable form race at Warwick Farm at he start of August and was kept up to the mark with a trial. He’s only lightly raced and has upside and while I have him second pick he is under the odds for mine.

How to play it: Raiden WIN ($2.15 TAB Fixed Odds) or just anchor your quaddie.

Raiden’s easy win at Gosford on August 17

All the fields, form and replays at Wyong on Friday