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By Ray Hickson

It's Wyong's Magic Millions meeting on Thursday and here's Ray Hickson's tips and preview for the seven race program. The track is currently rated good and the rail is in the true position.

This looks a lovely race for 2. Aqua D’Ivina who was scratched from Canterbury on Wednesday in preference for this. She hasn’t raced for a month but having spoken to Matt Smith about her that was by design due to coming off an eight month break and a bone chip operation. She was closing off her 1200m in great style and she’s definitely looking for a bit more ground. Drawn ideally to stalk and she looks to have some quality. Short price but hard to beat.
Punters Intel: Aqua D'Ivina was the only horse to break 35 seconds (34.95) for the last 600m in her race at Canterbury including an 11.57 final 200m.

Dangers: 3. Devil’s Luck is an interesting runner on debut for Chris Waller. He’s had a number of trials dating back 12 months, the best of which was his latest at Rosehill where he led by a considerable margin and held a comfortable couple of lengths at the finish. If that is any pointer to how he’ll race here he will give a good sight. 1. Auerbach has been costly as a beaten favourite at his last two though he did have excuses last start with cardiac arrhythmia. Trialled nicely enough since then and no surprise to see him improve sharply. 7. Voodoo Lady was in the market at her only start here in July but was back and wide and never a factor. Ridden up a bit to win her second trial and she could easily figure in the placings.

How to play it: Aqua D’Ivina WIN ($1.50 TAB Fixed Odds); Quinella with Devil’s Luck.

Aqua D’Ivina finishes strongly into second at Canterbury – November 17

I’m not overly happy with the price but the lightly raced 7. Billy Can does appear to have the most upside of his six rivals. He’s only had the five starts and comes off a dominant maiden win at Nowra where he really stretched out well late. It’s always a worry pinning hopes on a last start maiden winner but in a race with no obvious speed he could be the most versatile. I’m not super confident but happy to suggest he’s the one to beat.

Dangers: 4. The Iron Maiden had some support at big odds and rounded them up from last over this course last week so has to be respected. She doesn’t seem to put two like runs together which is the main concern. 1. Mr Smart disappointed at Newcastle last start when up in distance but his effort over the mile at Gosford prior to that was sound. Jockey change could be significant and though he hasn’t won for a while this is a prime opportunity. 5. Ghetto Boy started favourite at Coffs Harbour on Friday and was never in the hunt. Form prior to that was solid enough, on trial at the trip but a likely improver.

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

Billy Can strides away late to win at Nowra – December 10

Race experience, the inside gate and a nice trial all point to 6. Consider It Done being very hard to beat here first-up. She debuted back in August and started favourite when third behind Black Caviar’s daughter Oscietra on the Geelong synthetic track where she raced three wide on the pace throughout. I didn’t think she was overly pressured in running third to Seahampton in her trial last month and she looks to have every chance.

Dangers: 8. Sun Valley has taken a bit of time to make it to the track and her two trials this time in have been more than acceptable. Where she gets to in the run is something I’m not sure about but assuming a good passage she has to be a threat. 7. Fudgewedge is a locally trained filly who I thought was far from disgraced in her third at Newcastle on November 21. Tricky draw but I think there’s improvement from the trial and is one to throw in the multiples. 3. Polar Star is now with Mark Newnham having had two starts for the Waterhouse/Bott stable in 2016. He’s been gelded and races in blinkers first time so bears close watching.

How to play it: Consider It Done WIN ($2.90 TAB Fixed Odds); Quinella with Sun Valley.

Consider It Done runs third behind Seahampton in a Rosehill trial – November 24

At the price I have to be with 6. Single Bullet but he’s by no means a good thing. Completely overlook his last placing at Rosehill on December 9 – if you want to see why then view the stewards footage here – and his three-year-old form from the spring stacks up pretty well. Chased Viridine home twice and missed the boat at Moonee Valley but kept chasing. Runner-up in the two-year-old event here last year. He very much needs a win being only one from 10 now and with the likely leader drawn outside he can land in a nice trailing spot.

Dangers: 1. Arbeitsam has come up very short but he does appear to have been trained right up to go close first-up. Last prep he was nabbed late by Test The World when resuming, dipped second-up then won four of his next five starts at 1400m-1800m. If the other jockeys allow Tim Clark to dictate in front then he’ll probably be too good but if he has to work a bit he can be vulnerable. 2. Redouble is on the back up after finishing a close fourth at Randwick on Saturday. He is coming back from two runs at 1400m and one at 1500m but from the inside gate he’ll be able to be wherever desired in the run. 7. Wild Heart on face value is outgraded with only a two-year-old maiden win against his name but he did perform with merit against some nice horses last time in. Place chance here.

How to play it: Single Bullet E/W (1-2 finish) ($4.40 TAB Fixed Odds).

Single Bullet’s second in the G2 Roman Consul Stakes in October – December 7

Tricky race to work out but I’m keen to take on the favourite. 1. He’s A Given has been going around in better quality races, or at least with more depth, and he’s had excuses at his last couple. Forgive the Goulburn Cup as he was well back on an on-pacers day, last time he was softened right up early and still gave a kick in the straight before just missing a place. Has a win over this course and any give in the ground would be a plus for him. Chance to show what he’s made of.

Dangers: 6. Kopite has the tricky gate to overcome but did plenty of work and was still far too good when back in class at Taree on December 5. Handy third over this course three starts back and she’s certainly an each-way chance. 7. Barbeque has come up favourite and I’m not sure why as I thought his latest trial was only fair. Granted it was against the likes of Super Ex and I Thought So but it didn’t do a lot for me. Raced some handy types as a two-year-old and the best pointer with him will be the betting closer to the race. 9. Deladies Boy is lightly raced and will excel over a mile or so but he could do something fresh. Hard to get a line on the two trials so he’s also a market watch.

How to play it: He’s A Given E/W ($4.60 TAB Fixed Odds).

He’s A Given’s last start fourth at Canterbury

Fascinating two-year-old race and I’d be surprised if there isn’t at least some pressure in the first 200m or so. With that in mind 2. Bondi can land in a stalking position as he did in the Breeders’ Plate on debut. On that occasion he was cut down by Performer who looks very smart. He’s had the one trial since then and was narrowly beaten by a filly called Lilith who won another trial earlier this week. Expect him to be very strong late here and if he gets the run I think he will then he will take holding off.

Dangers: 8. Terminology has had support to win a Golden Slipper this week on the strength of her 10 length trial win at Rosehill on December 8. It was an impressive trial win, though she didn’t break the clock, and a marked improvement on her first without the blinkers. I’d expect her to be first to the fence in front and it’s a matter of how much pressure comes from outside her. Commands respect. 4. Ljungberg could be the surprise packet, there’s been plenty to like about his two trial wins. Beat Canyonero in the first and that youngster ran well at Randwick on Saturday, then showed a nice turn of foot in winning on December 11. Keep safe. 7. La Pomme De Pin showed a heap of early speed to lead the Clockwise Classic at Ballarat and after wobbling around the turn raced right away for a big win. I can’t see them taking hold of her from a wide gate and it’ll be interesting to see how she measures up.

How to play it: Bondi E/W ($4.40 TAB Fixed Odds).

Bondi’s debut second in the Breeders’ Plate at Randwick in September

Looks an open race to finish off with. 2. Connoisseur hasn’t done a lot wrong in four starts including a debut win over Chain Of Fools. His second trial this prep was a very handy one finishing just astern of Calculated who is well and truly Saturday class and a bit more. He wasn’t overly pressured there either. From a nice gate he looks to get every chance to be in the finish without being over confident.

Dangers: 1. Goresbridge went under as favourite in a small field at Gosford first-up but I’m inclined to be a bit forgiving. He won easily second-up last prep at 1000m at this track and he can land on the pace here and be very competitive. 3. Tswalu hasn’t finished worse than fourth in her five starts to date though at the same time she’s had her chance to win more than one. Two trials have her ready to race and she had a bit in hand winning her latest. Likely to be somewhere in the finish but is hardly a good thing and may be a false favourite. 8. Koonunga has been solid in two runs back including placing behind a progressive mare first-up. Tried hard at Newcastle last time and sure to give a good account again.

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

Connoisseur’s third placing in a Warwick Farm trial – December 6

All the fields, form and replays for Thursday’s Magic Millions meeting at Wyong