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By Ray Hickson

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

2. Sounds Unusual worked home okay into third in what was a sit and sprint when the eventual winner took off midrace and injected some speed. It was only his second start and there’s still scope for upside. Well found in the market but probably rightly so. Hard to beat.

Dangers: 4. Ana Carolina did some early work to sit outside the lead when resuming at a mile at Hawkesbury and was outsprinted but did box on okay late. Better for it, claim and draws well so look for improvement. 11. The Beast appears a bit one paced and he was a beaten favourite over a mile at Hawkesbury a couple of weeks ago. Appeared to have his chance but is not out of the equation. 3. Think We’re There has found one better at his past three starts and looked home at Newcastle last time before being nailed late. Each-way claims.

How to play it: Sounds Unusual WIN ($2.00 TAB Fixed Odds).

Sounds Unusual runs third at Canterbury on December 13

5. Goodlucktome bumped into a smart one in Tuileries when resuming with a solid second here a few weeks back. Did have his chance but the winner is smart and has won again since. If he can take improvement out of that he’s drawn to effect and should run well.

Dangers: 11. The Enchanter also found a progressive type when he debuted at Nowra finding Point And Shoot a touch strong. Was under pressure on the turn there and rallied so has upside and 1200m suits. Good chance. 12. Xingxing made a handy enough debut at Newcastle back in August behind Spirit Of Wealth as a $21 chance. Nice recent trial and is one of the chances here. 9. Maori Chief had support in the same race as Goodlucktome and was a little disappointing there. Fitter and blinkers go on so improvement wouldn’t surprise.

How to play it: Goodlucktome WIN ($4.00 TAB Fixed Odds).

Goodlucktome runs second at Canterbury on December 13

12. Scintilla struck heavy tracks in her two starts earlier this year but did more than enough to suggest she’s a promising type. The gate is a worry here first-up but there was so much to like about her recent trial and if she has any luck in running she’ll go close.

Dangers: 13. She Within was solid in betting when resuming at Goulburn and while beaten she did some work and loomed on the turn before levelling out. Nicely drawn here and with the run under her belt she could measure up. 14. Take Achance On Me ran an even race on debut at Newcastle back in August then put away. Hit the line well to win the latest trial and stays under notice. 6. Jayashree caught the eye on debut before failing in a strong maiden at Warwick Farm in September. Trialled well leading into this and gets her chance from the inside barrier.

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

Scintilla’s trial at Rosehill on December 23

3. Lancaster Bomber rarely runs a bad race when he draws inside and he gets the chance to break through. Has been game leading at his past two over this track and distance and was run down by a handy type last time out. Sure to give a good sight.

Dangers: 4. Lady Extreme is an on pacer racing well and was just touched out here two runs back at 1100m then Zoubaby was a bit too slick at Randwick last time. Will be competitive. 2. Noble Soldier didn’t fire on the heavy track at Rosehill last time and comes back in class after a string of Benchmark 78 or above assignments. Claim helps and he’s capable of better. 5. Deceive found her best third-up when back to country grade scoring at Goulburn. Unplaced in three runs at this track but drawn well and has a show.

How to play it: Lancaster Bomber WIN ($3.30 TAB Fixed Odds).

Lancaster Bomber runs second at Canterbury on December 13

2. Pocketing looks a promising type and he ran up to expectation scoring as an odd-son favourite at Kembla second-up. Same grade here and should land in the right spot with a bit of speed engaged. Take plenty of beating.

Dangers: 7. Valetudo could be a sharp improver after two runs back and have to be forgiving of last time on a leader’s Kensington track. Was close up when resuming at this track and she’s one to keep an eye on. 6. Oh Diamond Lil was always in control in leading all the way to her maiden win at Kembla a few weeks ago. Will be in or near the lead again and could step up. 4. Luskaire has led at his past two for a win and second at Newcastle. Stays down in the weights with the claim and can give a sight if he gets control.

How to play it: Pocketing WIN ($2.60 TAB Fixed Odds).

Pocketing wins at Kembla Grange on December 12

4. War Star has the outside barrier to overcome but he’ll press across and it appears on paper that he won’t have too much competition to find the lead. If that’s the case then he’ll take some catching. Easy Hawkesbury winner before a solid third at the Farm last time. On the up.

Dangers: 6. Smart Legend was well supported coming through that same event and he had his chance behind the speed as he held fourth. A 4kg drop after the claim is in his favour so entitled to another chance. 16. Waverley got back to his best with an overdue win at Canberra in a small field. Has been competitive enough in Midways of late and this is no harder so not without claims. 8. Investment has been around the mark in three starts since winning first-up in a small field at Wyong. Blinkers go on and that's to be respected.

How to play it: War Star WIN ($3.90 TAB Fixed Odds).

War Star runs third at Warwick Farm on December 18

3. Our Kobison was a shade disappointing second-up when fourth at Randwick but he was coming off a setback and stayed at 1100m. His two best efforts have come at 1200m and he gets to that trip now with a handy draw. The best of him is good enough to win this.

Dangers: 10. Time To Boogie did finish in front of Our Kobison when they met at Randwick and he will be fitter for that first-up run. Down in the weights, drawn the inside and there’s plenty to like about his chances. 2. Eagle Nest might get across and lead and she beat Our Kobison on a wet track two starts back before a gallant third in the Razor Sharp. Definite chance. 11. Dollar Magic never runs a bad race and she was game as ever when run down late at Rosehill last time. Kept ticking over with a trial win and drawn to have her chance at some black type.

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

Our Kobison runs fourth at Randwick on December 21

11. Unleeshing is a promising filly and she’s been excellent in her two runs this time in at Rosehill. Hit the line strongly behind the smart Private Harry on a soft track a few weeks back and drops sharply in grade here. If she can find the right spot she’ll take holding off.

Dangers: 7. Manuscript probably comes across from a wide gate and he improved on his effort behind Private Harry to run third here in a similar race but at 1200m. Will give a good account on speed. 12. Luxe Eternal is a big watch first-up since a debut win at Hawkesbury in October where she didn’t go around a horse. Well bred and likely improves on whatever she does here but has to be respected. 1. Opal Fields appreciated a drop in grade to bounce back to her best at Hawkesbury five weeks ago. Fresh and has each-way claims.

How to play it: Unleeshing WIN ($2.30 TAB Fixed Odds).

Unleeshing runs second at Rosehill on December 7

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