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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.

7. Flying Witness looked as though she was just getting warm at the finish first-up as she closed in late at Kensington over 1300m. Fitter and extra trip should be a plus. Nicely placed in a set weights maiden and a good chance to post a win.

Dangers: 3. Sword Point hasn’t raced for almost two months but when he did he wasn’t disgraced in a close fourth over 1400m. Quiet trial, draws okay and finds James McDonald. Keep safe. 2. Prefect Match showed sharp improvement at his second start over a mile on a heavy track. With the claim and gate one he will have every chance to run up to that effort. 5. Vega Prince started big odds at Kensington last time and led off a wide gate before holding on for fourth behind Finepoint. Could give a sight.

How to play it: Flying Witness WIN ($2.50 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Flying Witness runs third at Kensington on December 3

1. Carartie just missed in a good form race two starts back then sitting shot last time when leading. Long run to the first turn and has the speed to offset the gate and if she can get across relatively cheaply she’s a big chance to go one better.

Dangers: 2. Argentado was well supported on debut here on a heavy track and while no match for the winner she boxed on quite well. Firmer track might assist and has the inside alley again so will have her chance. 5. Russians comes through the same race as Carartie where she was a slight drifter in betting and held ground to run fourth. Open to some improvement and is worth considering. 9. Wonderwomen didn’t do a lot on debut but much better showing here last week on a heavy track when close up. Further improvement could see her in the placings.

How to play it: Carartie WIN ($3.20 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Carartie runs second at Kensington on December 3

Small moment of truth for 12. Trifaccia who resumes having performed in much stronger races in three of her five starts. Group 2 placed at her second and unlucky in both first-up runs to date. Has an awkward gate but liked her trial and she should be hard to hold out.

Dangers: 2. Boomsong was gallant in defeat on debut after being softened up on the speed. Fought hard and was only claimed in the last few strides. Blinkers go on, drawn well, and he’s a threat. 4. Hamaki tried to lead all the way when resuming at Warwick Farm and might just have bumped into a handy one in Kanazawa who got him late. Must be considered. 1. Mirror One showed some promise last time in with a couple of placings. Did have his chance when favourite at Kembla in July but given some time and trialling well enough he could have improved this time in.

How to play it: Trifaccia WIN ($4.20 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: EVENS.

Trifaccia runs second in a Hawkesbury trial on November 22

2. Finepoint controlled the race on the speed and dashed away to score an impressive maiden win at Kensington at start three. Improving filly and while up in class now has found a suitable race. Be surprised if she doesn’t go close.

Dangers: 4. Noble Beauty has done nothing wrong in four starts for two wins at Newcastle, the latest a strong effort from well off the speed. Interesting to see where she lands from gate one up in trip, potentially not so far back, and she looks a danger. 6. Prasiolite won first-up then not suited by coming back in trip and up in class then much better showing at Warwick Farm when running into second. Drawn to get a nice run and has each-way claims. 1. Zou De Moon was racing well before failing at Newcastle on a heavy track last time. Will be on the speed somewhere and she’s well worth another chance.

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

Finepoint wins at Kensington on December 3

13. Black On Beauty gave nothing else a chance and looked smart winning on debut at Newcastle, leading all the way. Only a modest class rise but does meet a field with several showing similar promise. Expect another forward showing.

Dangers: 12. Miss In Charge has run well fresh on both occasions and her only real failure was on a heavy track before a spell. Quiet trials, so keep an eye on betting but she’s one that can be competitive. 9. Kir Royale was well supported and ran out a clear winner over Carartie at Kensington at his second start. Could go on with it. 10. Mystic Rebel showed some promise last time in and has been a handy winner of both recent trials. Keep safe.

How to play it: Black On Beauty WIN ($2.70 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Black On Beauty wins at Newcastle on December 4

8. Green Flash might be better suited here up in distance in a race with genuine tempo. He disappointed at this track two runs back but last time made late ground at 1500m at Rosehill in a deeper race. Like to see some support for him but this is a race he can run well in.

Dangers: 7. Breton made the switch from Chris Waller’s Gold Coast stable and was narrowly beaten at Warwick Farm two weeks ago on a soft 7. Drops 3kg and retains James McDonald, must be respected. 5. Karlstad is another Waller charge who has earned a promotion to Sydney from the Gold Coast and he wasn’t disgraced at Rosehill running a close fourth to Peekays Legacy. He’ll roll forward and can be competitive. 10. My Demetra doesn’t win out of turn but she is also rarely too far away. Tried hard when third at Warwick Farm last week at a mile and the extra trip is no concern to her. Each-way.

How to play it: Green Flash E/W ($5.00 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Green Flash runs fourth at Rosehill on December 4

8. Budhwar hasn’t been far away since his first-up win, just missed at Rosehill two starts back in a Midway and favourite here on a heavy track last time behind Snippy Fox. Will be on speed somewhere and is a good chance.

Dangers: 15. El Cohete was a bit plain first-up at Warwick Farm but that was a soft 7 and nothing made a lot of ground from where he was. Second-up record is handy and has the blinkers on so he could lift sharply. 1. Sharpe Hussler was outstanding first-up from over a year off in the feature Mudgee Sprint, run down after hitting the front 200m out. Draws nicely, in okay with the claim and has an excellent second-up record. Keep in mind. 5. Grace Bay has been freshened up since the Four Pillars and she has proven very effective over the shorter course so with a bit of early luck she could easily be in the finish.

How to play it: Budhwar WIN ($2.60 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Budhwar runs second at Rosehill on November 6

1. For Valour led all the way to two soft provincial wins before stepping to this class and while he was a beaten favourite at Kensington he was only reeled in over the last 200m. Back in trip here and should find the front. Hard to run down if he does.

Dangers: 3. Titanium Power led all the way to an upset second-up win at Warwick Farm over 1300m and you’d imagine he’ll look to press forward again. Form was mixed last time in so it’ll be interesting to see if he can hold his form. 4. Rich And Shameless wasn’t disgraced ta Kensington last time behind I Am Lethal after gaining an inside run on the turn. Beaten under two lengths and there might be less depth in this field. Each-way claims. 7. Stay Wealthy won as expected in a small field at Wyong on a heavy 10 last time, leading all the way. Harder here obviously but still lightly raced.

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

For Valour runs fourth at Kensington on December 3

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