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By Ray Hickson

Tips and race by race preview by Ray Hickson for Friday’s Canterbury night meeting. Selections based on a good track.

5. Tragara is very close to a win and had no luck at all racing wide on the speed when a close third at Newcastle a couple of weeks back. Draws ideally in a smaller field and should have every chance to break through.

Dangers: 2. Sorgente made a promising debut back in June running third at Kensington and closing off well then hit the lead second-up before weakening over the last 200m. Made some ground in latest trial and sure to be competitive. 4. Skylight Song gave a good sight in a much improved second-up showing at Hawkesbury where he led on a heavy track and was only run down late. One of the chances. 6. Cavaup sat behind the leader and winner last start at Kensington and while she was no match she held the rest at bay nicely. Trickier gate for her here and first go on dry ground but can’t leave out.

How to play it: Tragara WIN ($3.10 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Tragara runs third at Newcastle on October 29

6. Royal Merchant ran an even race at her only start back in June on a heavy track behind Kibou. Her trials leading into this have been superior to her first prep, she strikes dry ground and a winnable race. Like to see some support late but expecting her to go close.

Dangers: 4. Zip On By wasn’t tested behind Royal Merchant in her second trial this time in so the margin is misleading. First trial was handy and she’s one to keep a close eye on. 5. Afterlight started in the market on debut at Kembla and seemed to battle a bit on the heavy track though wasn’t disgraced. Wouldn’t be surprised if she improved sharply onto good ground so has a case to be respected. 1. Floradora is a Chris Waller first starter whose two trials have been okay, the latest on the synthetic was won by a horse who went close at Hawkesbury on Wednesday. Check betting for a pointer.

How to play it: Royal Merchant WIN ($2.40 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: EVENS.

Royal Merchant wins a trial at Randwick on October 28

5. Havlicek wasn’t overly fancied in the market on debut but there was plenty to like about his finish into third at Newcastle a month ago. Shapes as though the extra ground will be a plus and he looks a good each-way chance.

Dangers: 4. Grange Rock Star seemed to have his chance to run down the winner at Kembla second-up after settling handy but could only get within a length. Was $1.80 there and now onto a dry track. Likely goes forward and is worth another look. 10. Maritima hasn’t done a whole lot wrong with third placings in all three starts. Ran on okay behind Kazou at Kensington first-up, draws well and should be in the finish again. 9. Fun Sunday is racing well without winning this time in and this doesn't look a whole lot harder than her second at Gosford a couple of weeks ago.

How to play it: Havlicek E/W ($10 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Havlicek runs third at Newcastle on October 15

4. Black On Beauty is the up and comer with two wins from three starts, that defeat coming here in December last year. She’s fitter for one run from a decent break, she will go forward and is the logical horse to beat.

Dangers: 3. Mirra View has been racing in great form on heavy tracks this year and strikes a good track for the first time in a while. Shade too strong second-up at Kembla a few weeks ago, races on speed and is in the mix. 8. Laroupe has a wide gate to offset but she’s another promising type lightly raced and was too strong when scoring at Hawkesbury two weeks ago on a heavy track. Keep safe. 5. California Surreal has a close second to Vilana in her form from earlier this year, more recently a solid second at Newcastle last time out. In the mix.

How to play it: Black On Beauty WIN ($1.95 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Black On Beauty wins at Gosford on October 27

2. Game Theory started $26 when he resumed with a gallant second at Warwick Farm after leading to the shadows. He has a better second-up record so expect he will improve and has drawn to be prominent throughout. Go well.

Dangers: 3. Akasawa has only been beaten once in five starts but he hasn’t raced for 11 months. He’s trialled okay and has a handy claim and a good draw so if there’s any confidence in the market he’ll be hard to beat. 1. Savoury didn’t do a bad job last start in a race dominated on speed when working home beaten three lengths by Cotehele at Rosehill. Down in grade and he’s capable of winning this if he gets the breaks. 4. Pokerjack has won two Highways in his last four starts and overcome wide gates in doing it. He’ll need to do that again here up in class but racing too well to dismiss.

How to play it: Game Theory WIN ($3.30 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Game Theory runs second at Warwick Farm on October 19

1. From The Bush was a shade unlucky first-up when a close third at Warwick Farm in a BM78 then forgiving of his run in the Goulburn Cup. He’s an honest performer with a soft draw and the claim helps a little. More than capable of giving this a shake.

Dangers: 3. Mission Phoenix gets the blinkers on after a solid first-up third at Kensington a couple of weeks ago. He carries a similar weight here and again draws well so has to be respected. 6. Hollywood North has been disappointing in two runs since an eye-catching first-up performance but he is capable of improvement. Blinkers on and drawn one, wouldn’t be leaving him out. 4. Too Much Caviar had his chance when resuming at Kensington though will be fitter and may get some control in the small field.

How to play it: From The Bush E/W ($8.00 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS.

From The Bush runs third at Warwick Farm on October 19

8. Amortal is the interesting runner here, resuming from a promising first preparation which saw two wins and a close third from three starts. He’s trialling quite well and will put himself up on the pace from the wide gate. Blinkers on too. Big market watch.

Dangers: 1. Destination ran a handy race first-up for the new stable when beaten under three lengths at Rosehill, closing off okay late. Fitter and down in class, on his best he’s right in this. 6. Huon started a short priced favourite and scrambled home to win at Hawkesbury on a heavy 10 first-up. Yet to see a good track but has drawn well and while he might be a shade under the odds he’s a definite chance. 2. Sweet Ruby pulled up lame from her run in the Carbine Club back in April where she was in the market behind Straight Arron. Trials have been very quiet but she could run a cheeky race fresh.

How to play it: Amortal WIN ($3.40 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Amortal runs second in a Rosehill trial on October 21

5. Left Reeling is the straight bat selection in a race that looks a bit tricky on paper. She’s racing in great form with three wins from her last four starts. Narrow winner of her latest but from the good draw she’s going to enjoy a nice run and give herself every hope.

Dangers: 13. Reginald has had a few chances in his 15 starts but gave a big sight at Randwick last time when leading and only finding Nautical Miss a bit strong late. Held the rest easily. On pacer who can be competitive. 10. Chilko Lake was a close third behind Left Reeling in a much improved showing last time. Draws well and has to be considered. 2. Always On Show can mix her form at times but won well here albeit on a heavy track before a fair effort at Warwick Farm. Kept a bit fresh and from the draw can improve.

How to play it: Left Reeling WIN ($3.10 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Left Reeling wins at Kensington on October 26

All the fields, form and replays for Friday’s Canterbury meeting