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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 soft track.

1. Destiny’s Bounty has found one better at both starts to date but far from disgraced in either. While he had his chance behind Stick To Your Guns at Warwick Farm the blinkers go on here and he should get some on pace favours. Good chance.

Dangers: 4. Stromboli settled well back and found the line strongly on debut behind Retrieval, finishing ahead of subsequent winner Trifaccia, at Canterbury a month ago. Has the outside gate so tactics could be vital here, keep an eye out for any changes there. Logical danger. 7. Wolfburn has been given some solid workouts in winning his two trials this time in by handy margins. Race form suggests he can win races and he’s back as a gelding. One to keep an eye on. 5. All England ran below expectations when resuming at Gosford. Placed in two of his first three starts, all on the Kensington track, and is entitled to another chance.

How to play it: Destiny’s Bounty WIN ($3.10 TAB Fixed Odds) Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Destiny’s Bounty runs second at Warwick Farm on January 5

7. Ruinart has shown plenty of ability and may well have beaten herself in her only run last prep when third at Wyong. Ran right off the track in coming from last but kept finding the line. Trialled twice leading in, has drawn the inside and if she can be in touch should go close.

Dangers: 4. Po Kare Kare made a promising debut when third behind Trifaccia at Warwick Farm a couple of weeks ago. She did have a nice run there and while finding a couple better late is entitled to improve for the run. Must respect. 3. Lamplady is a Chris Waller debutante and both her recent trials have been impressive. Draws well and every reason to think she can be competitive first-up. 1. Smart Little Miss started $20 on debut back in May and charged late to get very close in a similar race. Recent trial was on the synthetic but if you judge her on her only official start she has to be considered.

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

Ruinart runs third in a trial at Rosehill on January 4

7. Jal Lai is arguably the most promising horse engaged tonight and she resumes after two visually impressive wins in August coming from off the pace. Nice recent trial behind Way To The Stars, who is smart, and though Canterbury may not be her best track if she gets a shot at them she should win.

Dangers: 4. Miss Baltimore ran well when resuming then had a scratchy start and was never in the race at Rosehill two weeks ago. Overlook that and she’s a likely improver here. 1. Evening Bride was scratched from a Midway last weekend, she’s looked the goods in two wins since a break including downing a subsequent winner at Gosford last start. Can’t be left out. 5. Miss Jay Fox produced her best run of the prep when run down by What Could Be here over 1100m two weeks ago. Has claims here.

How to play it: Jal Lei WIN ($1.80 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Jal Lei runs second in a trial at Rosehill on January 4

4. Maccomo on top in a wide open race, he led all the way to win a similar race to this two weeks ago with 3.5kg less and held them comfortably. He’s drawn to be prominent again, handles all conditions and he has to be hard to beat again. Especially if able to control.

Dangers: 9. Glamour Fox drew the outside and was very good late running fourth behind Maccomo in a much improved effort. Draws one here so should settle closer and has a case. 5. Rich And Shameless has the outside gate but it's not so bad now with the scratchings. Runner-up to For Valour here two back then beaten three lengths by Maccomo. Include. 7. Savvy Legend is another coming through that race, he was a drifter in betting and boxed on fairly from on the pace. Capable of better.

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

Maccomo wins at Canterbury on January 7

6. My Demetra has found her form since a short break and was able to lead all the way over this trip two weeks ago. Rises 2kg and should put herself somewhere on the speed if she doesn’t lead again. No harder than last time and hard to beat again.

Dangers: 5. Grand Rock was shaping up okay with placings at Rosehill and Canterbury before failing at Warwick Farm when up to 2200m. Gate one and Nash Rawiller are pluses and he’s capable of improvement. 2. Maid Of Ore is 1.5kg better off at the weights for her close second to My Demetra in her best effort in four runs back. If she can repeat she is a chance to go one better. 3. Just A Jedi raced on the pace and was able to get the job done at Gosford over the 1900m three weeks ago. Racing well and with a bit of luck early is one of the chances.

How to play it: My Demetra E/W ($4.00 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

My Demetra wins at Canterbury on January 7

8. Eye See Things has a consistent record and resumes with plenty in her favour. Won first-up last prep and beat Converge in a trial at Gosford leading into this. From the inside gate she will get every chance to win.

Dangers: 6. Moralist is racing well and while he had his chance when fourth at Wyong last time he was a winner at Gosford at this trip prior. Drops 3.5kg after the claim and is an each-way hope. 5. Calescent is back in form with a dominant on pace win at Canberra at her fourth run back. She’s run well here previously and is down 4.5kg on her win. Keep in mind. 1. Henschel has been a touch disappointing at his past couple but previous form was good enough to win a race like this, especially if it’s on the wet side. Drew wide last time so it’s a forgive run and rather include than dismiss him.

How to play it: Eye See Things WIN ($3.60 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: EVENS.

Eye See Things wins a trial at Gosford on January 6

5. Nasturtium has done everything right winning easily at both starts to date at Hawkesbury and Gosford. Chance to see how he lines up now up to city company, he’s drawn well and finds the lead after scratchings. The one to beat.

Dangers: 6. Quatenus can’t be knocked after a solid win at Warwick Farm fourth-up. Form around Authentic Jewel is good, drawn well and is the likely threat. 8. Damaged looks best of the rest. He's only won once but three placings from his past four starts and wasn't disgraced behind What Could Be last time.

How to play it: Nasturtium WIN ($1.75 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Nasturtium wins at Gosford on December 31

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