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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 track.

3. Namazu was responsible for an excellent first-up performance at Newcastle, he sat midfield and a bit wide and kept coming to go down narrowly. Fitter, drawn well here and while scratchings hurt is close to a win.

Dangers: 2. Much Much Better will look to lead as he’s done in both starts back. Looked to be holding them until Jack The Lad got over him late up to 1400m. Sure to give a big sight. 1. Yangtze Rapids started a short priced favourite in the Newcastle race Namazu ran second in, he wasn’t the best away there but had his chance in the run thereafter. Not prepared to sack him yet but he does need to put up. 7. Canadian Spice ran well behind Cadenabbia here two starts back but plain after leading at Kembla. Small field helps.

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

Namazu runs second at Newcastle on September 18

1. Lord Olympus was pretty stiff not to make it three from three at Hawkesbury a couple of weeks back, he blew the start and went down by less than half a length. Up in weight but is promising and with even luck can atone here.

Dangers: 10. Wholesome Delight showed plenty of fight to make a winning debut at Canberra. Started favourite there and raced right on the speed all the way. Harder task but bred to be pretty handy and has to be respected. 6. Sweet Reply has bumped into a couple of handy ones this time in and isn’t far off a win. Tricky draw but likes to race handy so can make her own luck. Each-way. 4. Celestial Doll has been too good in two country starts this time in. Confidence up, she could measure up now.

How to play it: Lord Olympus WIN ($2.40 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Lord Olympus runs second at Hawkesbury on September 24

2. Invinciano is on the back up after a tough on pace win at Kensington on Wednesday and there’s no reason she couldn’t do it again. Has won at this trip and while up in weight she’s flying.

Dangers: 3. Aspect Ratio ran a nice race fresh then took control early and romped in up to a mile at Wyong a couple of weeks ago. Always promised a bit and no reason she couldn’t do on with it. 4. Coco Baci chased hard behind Aspect Ratio in an improved effort and meets that horse 2kg better. Can be competitive. 5. Exotic Ruby was a popular winner third-up at Hawkesbury after a year off. Only missed a place once and shouldn’t be left out.

How to play it: Invinciano WIN ($3.80 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Invinciano wins at Kensington on September 30

6. Rules Don’t Apply might have found the right race to go close in town with potential for some pressure. Sailed home to score at a mile at Wyong last time, this trip suits and she has a good chance.

Dangers: 1. Cisco Bay looked the winner early in the straight but was claimed in the last 100m over this course last time. Hard fit now after four runs back and blinkers go on. Definite chance. 5. So Wicked comes through the same race, she led and boxed on quite well for a close third. She’s racing with consistency at the moment and is sure to give another good account. 4. Highmaster is lightly raced and on the way up, races on the pace and gate one is a plus. Got the upper hand late when winning second-up and he could measure up without surprising.

How to play it: Rules Don’t Apply E/W ($7.50 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Rules Don’t Apply wins at Wyong on September 4

6. Love Shack Baby had excuses for his second-up flop and prepared to forgive him. Trialled nicely behind Gytrash and his first-up run was excellent. Nice draw for him to be thereabouts in the run. Go well.

Dangers:4. Coterie has improved with each run and had the perfect passage when scoring third-up at Warwick Farm over a mile. Trickier gate here but honest type and is one of the main hopes. 7. Savigne has been freshened up since a failure at Rosehill at the end of August on a good track after a string of runs on heavy ground. Can race handy and expect improvement. 1. Mount Tabora wasn't disgraced at huge odds in a stronger race behind Prime Candidate third-up. Chance to show some form.

How to play it: Love Shack Baby WIN ($4.80 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: EVENS.

Love Shack Baby’s first-up run at Kensington on August 26

All eyes on 6. The Bopper who has been dominant in two country wins by comfortable margins in his two starts. Three trials leading in, the latest looking very good. Obviously a class rise but looks very promising and is the one to beat. Read trainer Kris Lees' comments here.

Dangers: 4. Paquirri was quite well supported first-up in a similar race almost a month ago and scored a strong win. Keeping him fresh might be the way to go, he’s drawn well and watch for a market push again. 3. Deference has only won once from nine starts but has a couple of placings behind some smart ones on his CV. Trials fine without catching the eye and he’s right in the mix. 1. Black Magnum was ridden to lead and worked pretty hard to sit up in second before fighting on for a placing in a higher benchmark race here last time. Racing well and he is down a notch in grade so should be considered.

How to play it: The Bopper WIN ($1.95 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: EVENS.

The Bopper wins a trial at Newcastle on September 23

6. Mirra Vision has a win in her shortly looking at her two runs back where she’s been close up stronger races. Stuck on after a wide run behind Prime Candidate at Rosehill. Kind draw here, nearing peak and placed to go close.

Dangers: 5. Best Stone gave a big sight in the G3 Tibbie at Newcastle last time and while drawn wide she should be able to get across without too much trouble. Loves this track and will take some running down if she does find the lead. 4. So Taken was hard to miss charging home from last when resuming here two weeks ago at 1100m. Much better suited up in trip and if she gets a crack at them from an inside gate can be right in the finish. 1. Aim Smart is the big watch first-up for Mitch Beer. Ex-NZ and was Group 3 placed at a mile in November. Runaway trial winner, scratched from Randwick Saturday for this easier task. Keep safe.

How to play it: Mirra Vision WIN ($3.50 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Mirra Vision runs fifth at Rosehill on September 26

8. Chianti has compelling form against her name having finished a couple of lengths off Dame Giselle at her second-up start. Back 100m suits and she was impressive first-up at Hawkesbury. Expect her to be in the finish here.

Dangers: 7. Marboosha can only run well first-up since a Listed placing back in May as a two-year-old. Matched it with Wild Ruler in her second trial and that’s a good pointer. With even luck is a big threat. 14. Written Beauty has her first start for the Hawkes stable after two runs in Queensland. Broke her maiden by six lengths and beat a subsequent winner in taking out her latest trial. Keep very safe, if supported she might go close. 11. Harto had no luck first-up after blowing the start, every chance here last time when a drifter in betting. Worth one more chance.

How to play it: Chianti WIN ($5.50 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Chianti runs sixth at Randwick on September 5

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