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By Ray Hickson

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

There didn’t appear to be any fluke about the effort by 12. Latin Lyric in running a close second when resuming at Canterbury two weeks ago. She tracked into the race well from the back and only just failed. Granted she was $21 there but an extra 150m looks a plus and she has each-way claims.

Dangers: 8. Eight Diamonds showed improvement from start one to two then sent for a break. You had to like the way she brushed home over the top to win a trial at Rosehill earlier this month. Drawn to stalk and if there’s support for her she can go close. 1. Good Omens was no match for what could be a handy filly in Flexible at her debut at Warwick Farm on a heavy track but she held down second well enough. Dry track might suit and has to be one of the main chances. 3. Iolanthe trialled quite well at Hawkesbury before going well back and just working home in her second trial. Interesting runner, drawn pretty well and you have to give some respect to a Godolphin first starter.

How to play it: Latin Lyric E/W ($9.00 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: EVENS.

Latin Lyric runs second at Canterbury on January 8

He’s only had the two starts but this looks as something of a D-Day for 2. Mount Fuji given his price tag. There was plenty to like about his first-up effort at Warwick Farm about six weeks ago and he’s been treading water since. Asked to hit the line to win his recent trial and he’s a good chance to get on the board.

Dangers: 8. Investor was outclassed first-up then back to a maiden had some support and attacked the line pretty well on a heavy track at Warwick Farm. Probably gets back from the outside gate but look for him to run on again. 4. Military Parade hasn’t been eye-catching in two trials but at the same time you couldn’t knock him too much either. Betting a good guide but drawn well for the Hawkes/Berry combination and that earns him respect. 1. Go Gazza is an improving type who gave Velorum a big fright here two weeks ago. Up in trip, drawn one and has a case.

How to play it: Mount Fuji WIN ($1.95 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Mount Fuji wins a trial at Rosehill on January 15

3. April Rain looks a very promising mare and is the designated short priced favourite of the night on the back of a very easy first-up win here three weeks ago. The form hasn’t exactly shone since that win but she did smash them up. Doesn’t look the deepest BM72 so expect her to handle the class rise in her stride.

Dangers: If there is an upset it’ll come from 5. Virgo who also looks to have her share of talent. Chased home Vreneli two starts back then far too good for maiden company here three weeks ago at 1100m. Faces the same class rise as April Rain and is the logical threat. 2. Avadane might find herself in front here and if she gets some control could be an improver. Had her chance at Warwick Farm but getting back on top of the ground is in her favour. 4. Express Princess will excel over a bit further but kicking off at 1250m in the small field gives her a hope of figuring in the money.

How to play it: April Rain WIN ($1.50 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS.

April Rain wins at Canterbury on January 1

5. Space Is Deep has put in two promising efforts this time in and looks close to a win. Whether that’s this run or next remains to be seen but out to 1900m in a wide open race from a soft gate there’s plenty to like. Back in class after running on without threatening at Randwick on the back of a nice return so well worth an each-way look.

Dangers: 8. McGeehan was a bit too good in the corresponding race two weeks ago at his first attempt past a mile. Looked strong there and while up 2.5kg the opposition isn’t a lot tougher ad he’s a genuine chance again. 9. Alchermes was backed into favouritism in the same race and had no luck at all in finishing fifth so that run is worth forgiving. You’d expect she’ll be ridden cold from the outside gate but with even luck can’t leave her out of the chances. 4. Amoretti has really impressed with successive wins at 1600m and 1900m and given how well he is racing he has a strong case for the hat-trick. Up 2.5kg but flying.

How to play it: Space Is Deep E/W ($4.60 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Space Is Deep’s last run at Randwick on January 9

1. Come Along is a very consistent type and while he doesn’t win out of turn he’s back in grade here and drawn well in a race that has equal chance of being a sit and sprint and a decent test. Tried hard as usual at Randwick last start in a BM78 and if he holds his form he will be somewhere in the finish. Hard to beat and if he wins it’s usually not by big margins.

Dangers: 3. Knowitall Jack couldn’t get anywhere near the lead when resuming at Warwick Farm a couple of weeks ago and he boxed on fairly enough. He’s back to his favourite course and distance and generally improves second-up. If he finds his best form and the lead he’ll run them along and he hard to catch. 5. Pitchfork has been back to the trials since a disappointing effort at Randwick on Boxing Day where he raced handy and wilted late. Won here back in August beating Knowitall Jack and while he was expected to win at least one of his three runs this prep, but hasn’t, he goes in the mix. 8. Laila De Vega is a knockout chance if she gets the breaks. Excellent first-up and made ground without threatening over this course last start.

How to play it: Come Along WIN ($4.20 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Come Along runs fourth at Randwick on January 9

6. Dance beat Mount Fuji first-up at Warwick Farm on a good track then returned there on a heavy track and wasn’t disgraced behind Deference after getting a long way back. May well be handier here from a favourable alley and with the scratchings gets his chance.

Dangers: 2. Frozen In Time was a winner at Hawkesbury three runs back then fair effort to Lillemor at Kensington before working home into third behind Malkovich at Randwick. She won’t be far away once again. 3. Sedition descended on them from last to score here two weeks ago in a similar event and if he is to win this race he’ll likely have to employ the same late burst. Interestingly that was his first win in 18 starts at Canterbury. Each-way claims. 7. Dawn Too Good gave a sight against Private Eye three runs back, battled on well to be just behind Frozen In Time at Randwick. Has some claims.

How to play it: Dance WIN ($3.20 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: EVENS.

Dance runs fourth at Warwick Farm on January 6

2. General Soho is bursting to win a race and can’t imagine him not being somewhere in the money in what looks a tough finish. Looked the winner at the 200m here two weeks ago and was nailed late by Sedition. Back in trip but is versatile and has drawn very well. Should give a good account.

Dangers: 5. Nosey ran right up to the strong support for him at his first run for Kris Lees at Gosford late last month and is an interesting runner here. Can he back it up? His last couple of wins have come on heavy tracks but four of his seven wins have been on good ground. Keep safe again. 1. Perigord was beaten fair and square first-up then maybe a shade unlucky not to get closer here two weeks ago in a similar race. Doesn’t seems to have a lot of tactical speed so he could get buried again here but have to include in the chances as his best is good enough. 3. Mossman Gorge can be a little hit and miss these days and he was excellent winning at Kensington in December then hit the line pretty well after giving away too much start at Randwick. If the cards fall his way he could finish over the top of them.

How to play it: General Soho E/W ($6.00 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

General Soho runs second at Canterbury on January 8

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