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By Ray Hickson

Tips and race by race preview by Ray Hickson for Monday’s Canterbury meeting. Selections based on a good to soft track.

2. Suit Of Armour will need to make some use of a handy barrier and if he can then he looks the one to beat. He’s been strong at the finish in all three starts but just had too much to do last time at Kembla after going right back. Strong chance to break through.

Dangers: 1. Counter seemed to have his chance in a similar race a few weeks back but he has put two good runs together now over this course. Likely concedes a start but sure to be running on. 3. Two Questions contested the same race as Counter and stayed on fairly to run fifth but only beaten a couple of lengths. The blinkers go on so entitled to another chance. 12. Royale Veloute has found some form this time in and started $1.45 when running on late into third at Kembla last time at 1500m. Extra trip likely to help so worth including.

How to play it: Suit Of Armour WIN ($2.30 TAB Fixed Odds).

Suit Of Armour runs fourth at Kembla Grange on December 14

10. Kitty Chat has raced once for a close second to Joliestar at Warwick Farm back in June. The third horse was Arctic Glamour so it’s a pretty handy form line. She bled in that race so was rested and she’s looked the goods in two trials. Clearly the one to beat.

Dangers: 4. Equipage had her chance on the speed when an odds-on favourite at Kembla last time but was run down. She’s tending to find one or two better of late but hasn’t run a bad race. 6. Hellbent On You was rested after her best performance in three starts so far for a third over this course in August. Trial winner and no surprise if she improves this preparation. 7. I Am Famous wasn't beaten far first-up and is open to improvement. Best run to date was on soft ground so she's in the mix.

How to play it: Kitty Chat WIN ($1.90 TAB Fixed Odds).

Kitty Chat wins a Randwick trial on December 11

10. Viaconi on top but potentially a little under the odds. Good debut but had his chance and had an unlucky runner just behind him. Better for it and gate one gives him every hope again. The one to beat given a lack of depth.

Dangers: 7. Ravenclaw raced on the speed in the same race and just weakened out late but only beaten 1.7 lengths. Blinkers come off and fitter for it so perhaps give another chance. 6. Maracaibo Sun was not tested in his latest trial at Wyong and is a big watch here on debut for strong stable. Any market moves will be significant. 11. Wipeout is a nicely bred colt and she’s hard to read given she’s been out the back in her recent trials behind some very slick fillies. Drawn well and could surprise.

How to play it: Viaconi WIN ($1.55 TAB Fixed Odds).

Viaconi runs second at Canterbury on December 15

2. Capital Asset wasn’t far away in all four runs last time in and returns with a nice set up for him to produce a big run. Loves a bit of sting out of the track and should have that, draws well and rarely runs a bad race. Go well.

Dangers: 6. Castillian wasn’t disgraced in a handy field when closing off late behind Boston Rocks over 1100m. Rise in trip a plus for him and he’ll be hitting the line hard again. Keep in mind. 8. Lancaster Bomber doesn’t win out of turn but what he does do is usually feature in the finish when he draws soft. He likes this track and ran well here last time. Each-way claims. 3. Amati didn’t fire in two runs in the early spring so rested and is a very interesting runner here fresh. Any support significant.

How to play it: Capital Asset E/W ($7.50 TAB Fixed Odds).

Capital Asset runs third in a Hawkesbury trial on December 12

9. Utopian Wine was a month between runs and she was solid betting when scoring easily at Gosford over a mile. This race looks set to be run to suit her, and this is a modest class rise if anything. Just has to put two together and she’ll go close.

Dangers: 4. Ballistic Therapy was a bit too good at Mudgee before backing that up with a solid showing over this course on December 15. Responded to being under some pressure there. Each-way claims at least. 1. Malabar is a lightly raced middle distance performer who should be suited at this trip fresh. Nice enough trial and with the claim is nicely treated. Can run well and will improve on whatever he shows. 10. How Much Better showed a lot of fight when debuting with a win at Wyong a few weeks ago. Will be on pace here and can give a sight up in grade.

How to play it: Utopian Wine WIN ($3.30 TAB Fixed Odds).

Utopian Wine wins at Gosford on December 21

7. Venetian Blue has been a beaten favourite in two runs back over shorter trips but she hasn’t been far away. Softened up before the turn here second-up. Fitter now and up to her preferred distance range so expect her to be harder to beat.

Dangers: 4. Bak Da Man looks a bit over the odds getting to this trip third-up after two runs back at a mile. Warmed up late last time at Wyong. Draws well and if there’s pressure on here it would suit him. Each-way chance. 6. Ring Ahoy will again have every chance to break through but she’s now batting one from 21 and has had her chance over this course at her last two. Granted not beaten far in either. Must include. 3. Genetic Freak was a well supported favourite at Kembla last time and didn’t let anyone down with an easy win. Could go on with it now.

How to play it: Venetian Blue WIN ($5.50 TAB Fixed Odds).

Venetian Blue’s last start at Canterbury on December 15

1. Insurrection continues to race through the grades and was narrowly beaten over this trip in the Razor Sharp a few weeks ago. Draws ideally in what will be a tactical race and he’s still on the way up. Sure to be in the finish again.

Dangers: 5. Zou Tiger is a huge watch first-up as a gelding and with blinkers on. Just one trial and was outsprinted late but he might get last call at them here and only has to run up to his three-year-old form to be competitive. 4. Sinawann appeared to have his chance at the 1400m last time, hitting the lead before being reeled in. Beaten under a length by Insurrection at 1200m prior and if they are overdoing it he’ll be strong. 6. Brudenell might find it tough to find the lead from the wide gate but he’s accounted for a subsequent winner easily last time and won only attempt at this track and distance. Can’t be left out.

How to play it: Insurrection WIN ($3.80 TAB Fixed Odds).

Insurrection run second at Randwick on December 9

13. To The Extreme was quite impressive running away with a maiden over this course almost a month ago. Only her second start so if she can continue to lift then she’s right in this very open race.

Dangers: 7. Northumbria is in top form this time in with wins at his first two runs back then a sound third at Wyong behind Bojangles. One of the each-way hopes. 8. Shezanalister likes it on the wet side and is ready to resume after a couple of trials. No surprise if she runs a cheeky race. 3. Global Empire was a shade disappointing when third in a small field at Gosford second-up but he rarely runs a bad race and is worth another chance.

How to play it: To The Extreme E/W ($5.50 TAB Fixed Odds).

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