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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.

1. El Bravo has run into form recently and didn’t have the best of luck when third at Kembla over a mile last time out. Stopped in his tracks at a vital stage there and did well to pick himself up. Back to 1900m suits and has a good chance.

Dangers: 7. Rangitikei resumed with a promising second at Hawkesbury but hasn’t reproduced it in two runs since. Did have a wide run at Wyong last time out so can forgive that and could be a sharp improver. 9. Mickey’s Pride might be looking for more ground now after three runs and he just held his ground here last start over 1550m. Should enjoy a nice run from an inside gate and this looks a chance for him to improve. 4. Tycoon Charger has been finding the line quite well without threatening of late and was only getting warm at the end of a mile at Wyong. Draw could be tricky but is in the mix.

How to play it: El Bravo WIN ($4.80 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS.

El Bravo runs third at Kembla Grange on November 26

2. Hi Dubai has looked very comfortable leading all the way to her couple of trial wins this time around, she was also a winner in April. Not overly concerned about the wide gate as you’d expect her to push forward, if she can offset it quickly enough she should be hard to beat.

Dangers: 3. Ishani was a solid favourite when resuming in a 900m maiden at Newcastle and was strong late as you’d expect. Drew the outside there and went back, from two can be much closer and must respect. 9. Xtravaghan hasn’t led in her two recent trials so it’ll be interesting to see where she winds up from her middle gate. She’s been strong at the finish of both of them, though, and is sure to run well. 4. Nanshe is also on debut and a half-sister to the handy Zethus. Ran fourth to Hi Dubai in her first trial this prep then just claimed late when runner-up in the second. No surprise if she’s competitive.

How to play it: Hi Dubai WIN ($4.40 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Hi Dubai wins a trial at Canterbury on November 29

11. Princess Rayaa made a nice enough debut running into fourth at Warwick Farm last month. This is a fairly similar task and, from a kinder draw, if she can take improvement from that first-up run she can put herself right in the finish.

Dangers: 1. Chain Of Gold was runner-up in the same event after leading and it was only in the shadows when he was denied victory. No harder here of course and expect he’ll roll forward and give a good account again. 3. Asva found the line well very late over this course two weeks ago into third and is another with some upside. Trickier gate for him but aside from that there’s plenty to like. 8. Himalaism had his first run as a gelding when fourth at Doomben a few weeks back. Loomed like he’d be closer at the finish so on face value he’s disappointed. But, he must be showing something to warrant a return to Sydney so keep him in mind.

How to play it: Princess Rayaa E/W ($7.50 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Princess Rayaa runs fourth at Warwick Farm on November 23

6. Whanga Wonder started $10 at Rosehill last start and was quite impressive taking out what looks a handy Midway. Was well ridden, stealing an inside run on the home turn, but no reason why he won’t enjoy a nice passage again and if he holds that form will take beating.

Dangers: 7. Media Starguest rarely has a lot of luck but showed a return to form with a nice third-up second over the 1550m here two weeks back. Can handle the extra ground and yet to miss a place at Canterbury. Has a case. 5. Socrates boxed on pretty well after tracking the pace to run third in the Taree Cup off a month between runs. Dual Highway winner before that, races on speed and hard to leave out. 3. Intuition has sprung back to form with a nice third at Kembla a month ago and an easy win there two weeks later. With the claim for an in-form apprentice and a good gate there’s no reason why he couldn’t go close.

How to play it: Whanga Wonder WIN ($4.80 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Whanga Wonder wins at Rosehill on November 26

6. Fangela was far too good first-up for an open class country field at Canberra back in late October. Interesting the gap between runs but his only real failure came on a heavy 9 at Randwick back in May and was spelled straight after. Nicely drawn and has a good chance in a wide open race.

Dangers: 3. Fleet Air Arm creates a bit of interest. He won his first three starts then unplaced on heavy tracks at his last two, the latest pulling up 2/5 lame. Not asked for anything at all in his second trial after winning the first and bears close watching. 4. Xpresso made light work of his rivals first-up at Wyong after going for home around the turn. Not sure where he gets to from the barrier but want to include him. 8. Richon is an interesting runner who made easy work of a maiden at Gosford first-up. Had some handy two-year-old form and is worth thought.

How to play it: Fangela WIN ($4.40 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Fangela wins at Canberra on October 21

6. Golden Gorge might be back in business after a promising second-up effort at Canberra two weeks ago. Made his run with the winner but was just outgunned late and given six weeks between runs into that can only be fitter. Drawn to have every opportunity to run well.

Dangers: 2. Mach Schnell faces a little less depth here than his three runs back so he can be expected to show up. Found the line okay late at Rosehill last time and on his best would be right in the finish. 1. Court Deep won first-up at Bendigo on a heavy track then led at Ballarat and weakened into fifth beaten eight lengths. Has won six races but form a bit mixed and is a market watch. From the inside alley will have his chance. 4. Always On Show won here back in October on a heavy track and has been freshened since an even effort over 1900m a month ago. Another more than capable if she produces her best.

How to play it: Golden Gorge E/W ($8.00 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: EVENS.

Golden Gorge runs second at Canberra on November 25

8. Essonne is the horse to beat on what she showed earlier this year with three wins and a forgivable fourth, on a heavy track, before a break. She doesn’t win by a lot but she’s genuine and cruised along nicely in her latest trial. Go well.

Dangers: 3. Elettrica carried 62.5kg and was game in defeat at her local debut at Warwick Farm. Up slightly in grade here but fitter and draws well and she is one of the main chances. 11. Vientiane started a drifting favourite in the same race and seemed to peak on her run late when third. Also better for it and drawn well so no reason she can’t improve here. 2. Sunborn has been a bit hit and miss but she won fresh last prep and tends to go better on top of the ground. Drawn to have her chance.

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

Essonne runs third in a Warwick Farm trial on November 18

7. Huon faces a tougher task now creeping up in weight but he’s the one in form and drawn to effect. Well ridden when scoring over this course two weeks ago, he should stalk the speed again and no reason he won’t continue on his winning way.

Dangers: 10. Lord Paramount had his chance in the run off a two month break at Warwick Farm but held his ground well late and should appreciate the extra 150m and the 4.5kg less. Could be an improver. 5. Bugalugs gave some cheek when placed at Rosehill a month ago, last time but not disgraced in the feature sprint at Mudgee a week ago. Could lead them and be competitive here. 2. Silent Agenda is yet to win first-up but started last prep with a placing and has trialled well leading into this. Aided by the scratchings and has a show.

How to play it: Huon WIN ($1.90 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Huon wins at Canterbury on November 25

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