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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.

9. Maritima was set to land in a good spot before she bucked and lost all chance here three weeks ago. Form prior suggested a win is close and she was a $2.20 favourite. There doesn’t look to be a lot of speed here so chance to offset the alley and be in the finish.

Dangers: 10. Super Chilled found the line quite well at Kembla third-up in her best effort this time in. Might have just peaked on the run late. Drawn to settle closer in the run and has JMac on board. Must respect. 4. Fudai has three seconds from four starts and while the winner came from behind him at Newcastle last time he has a handy claim and strikes a winnable race. Go well. 5. Got An Inspiration is a big query first-up for David Payne with no public trials. Was in the market at both starts in Victoria at 1400m and was only beaten a couple of lengths in the latest. Market a good pointer.

How to play it: Maritima WIN ($4.20 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Maritima runs second at Canterbury on November 11

7. Shalatin returns as a gelding having gone under as an odds-on favourite at Newcastle back in September in what was supposed to be his maiden win. He has the talent, as his $247,000 earnings show, and he did trial quite well leading into this. Entitled to go close.

Dangers: 3. Cardone wasn’t asked for a whole lot in his only trial this time around, after a couple of trials in winter. Drawn well and any support would be significant. 10. Infinitive has trialled several times and did win one at Rosehill back on November 24. Latest a quiet one on the synthetic. Respect with James McDonald and barrier one. 8. Urban Jewel has put a couple of easy trial wins together and might find herself in front. Could give a sight.

How to play it: Shalatin WIN ($2.70 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Shalatin runs second in a Warwick Farm trial on December 5

2. Demiana is a grand daughter of top mare Divine Madonna and she’s trialled up as though she can run a handy race on debut. Looked good winning one at the end of last month then not asked last week. Draws well and no surprise if she’s prominent.

Dangers: 9. Afterlight had a wide run throughout and was entitled to tire here last week so that run can be overlooked. Second-up run suggested she is capable of winning one of these and she’s worth another chance. 13. Narrative has yet to get any barrier draw favours but there’s been plenty to like about her two runs back for Kembla and Newcastle placings. Gets back and look for her to run on again. 6. Lalaguna was in the market first-up and didn’t have a lot of luck when beaten 2.5 lengths here three weeks ago. Second-up last prep ran second to Golden Mile at Ballarat in a 2yo maiden beaten narrowly. Keep safe.

How to play it: Demiana E/W ($6.50 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Demiana’s latest trial at Rosehill on December 8

2. Kouklara sprinted hard from the back to win first-up at 1300m then different tempo when fourth as favourite at Warwick Farm. Wasn’t disgraced there and has enjoyed this track in the past. She can bounce back.

Dangers: 3. African Daisy was a popular winner first-up at Scone and it was quite a soft win too. Placed in this grade at 1800m last time in so the extra ground will be to her liking. Commands some respect. 4. Chenin had control of the race when scoring an all the way win at Warwick Farm over a mile, with Koulkara among her opposition. She’ll likely look to lead from the inside and if she controls again will take running down. 9. Sweet Mercy was runner-up in the same race after sweeping home from last down the outside. Gets a 2kg weight advantage and could turn the tables if there’s more pressure on.

How to play it: Kouklara WIN ($6.50 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Kouklara runs fourth at Warwick Farm on December 7

2. Game Theory led and was run down at Warwick Farm first-up and here second-up before having no luck from off the pace up in class behind Spaceboy. Draws well and down 1.5kg on his run two back in this grade. Have to give him another chance.

Dangers: 3. Rockribbed has been hit and miss in his career and resumes after running fourth as favourite at Flemington on Anzac Day. He is a Sandown winner and market will be a good guide. 4. He’s A Hotshot had his chance in front when third behind Huon here second-up but that was two solid runs on end and he will go forward as usual. Keep in mind. 8. Rinnova was competitive without winning in all five starts last prep largely on wet tracks. Close up in a recent trial and in the small field has claims with a light weight.

How to play it: Game Theory E/W ($4.20 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Game Theory runs second at Canterbury on November 11

3. Danish Prince won’t find this any harder than his latest effort which was a solid on pace win at Rosehill two weeks ago. Ran well in a Midway three back and while up in weight he’s going to land on speed again and be hard to beat.

Dangers: 2. Savoury is never too far away and he tried hard in the Nowra Cup when a close fourth there. Four of his six wins have come at this track and he’s in the mix again. 1. Akasawa ran down Game Theory to win nicely first-up then up in grade battled on okay behind Mensa Missile at Rosehill. Form is okay through that race and while drawn out with 60kg he can’t be overlooked. 11. Yukon has a handy fresh record and resumes at a suitable trip with a gate that will see him land on speed. Keep very safe.

How to play it: Danish Prince E/W ($5.50 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Danish Prince wins at Rosehill on December 3

6. Travelling Kate has been kept busy in front at her past couple but she’s boxed on gamely to hold placings in both. Blinkers come off and drawn to be prominent again, if she gets any peace on speed she should be hard to beat.

Dangers: 3. Rosovo had a nice run and wore down the leader at Rosehill last time only to be swamped by Secret Glamour. Will need a bit of luck from the alley in the first 300m but honest and lightly raced so has to be respected again. 1. Media Starguest finally broke through with a narrow win over this course last week and no reason why he won’t be around the mark again. Stays on the same weight after the claim so has his chance. 8. Whangaehu has strung together a few placings, had his chance behind Tradition two back then tried hard behind Secret Glamour in third. Can’t be left out of the chances.

How to play it: Travelling Kate E/W ($7.50 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Travelling Kate runs third at Kensington on December 2

9. Arranmore has been a little costly but also shown ability in her 12 starts. Liked her first-up effort here three weeks ago where she closed strongly from last beaten 1.5 lengths. Had some support there suggesting she’s come back well and if she can lift on that she’ll run well. Each-way.

Dangers: 4. Mystic Mermaid is first-up since August where she ran fourth behind Hope In Your Heart and Frumos starting $8 so that reads well for this sort of race. Has acted well fresh previously and gets a soft draw. Can run well. 7. King Of Naples disappointed as favourite two starts back then led and was only run down late at Kensington two weeks ago. Blinkers go back on and inclined to keep him in the mix. 1. Walkin’talkin’ took inside runs to win at Warwick Farm third-up continuing some good form this time in. Stays in the same grade so up 2kg but drawn okay and has claims. 6. Jewellery was an impressive winner first-up at this track, rounding up maiden rivals easily. Drawn wide and that’s the main concern.

How to play it: Arranmore E/W ($19 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Arranmore runs fourth at Canterbury on November 25

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