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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 soft track.

8. Zoukerette has some solid form around her two runs back and while she had her chance behind Zia here three weeks ago she stuck on well behind a subsequent stakes winner. Back 100m from the inside gate looks to suit and if there’s nothing above average in the first starters she’s the one to beat.

Dangers: 6. Tutta La Vita has been given two fairly quiet trials leading into her debut so she’s a big watch. Any support would be significant given the Waller/McDonald combination. 4. Power Ballard trialled sharply to win her first hitout then throttled down late in the second. Expect she’ll be forward here and given the Waterhouse/Bott stable’s youngsters are regularly firing she should be kept safe. 10. Relatives will need a bit of luck from the wide gate but she showed some ability in her first prep and her latest trial was a handy one. Each-way.

How to play it: Zoukerette WIN ($2.30 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: EVENS.

Zoukerette runs third at Canterbury on May 3

12. Brave Agenda had some support first-up at Doomben a month ago where she ran well for third behind Russian Alliance. Blinkers go on from a favourable draw and should be fitter for that run. No surprise to see her feature in an open race.

Dangers: 9. Parade Ground didn’t fire on debut back in November but looked in order winning a recent Hawkesbury trial. Couple of gear changes and has barrier one so should get every chance to show his best. 3. Congregation was a $2.25m yearling and he hasn’t shown his hand in his two trials, the latest at Rosehill last week. Betting would be a good pointer but certainly bred to be handy and has to be respected. 5. Dumebi was a drifter in betting on debut on a heavy track at Rosehill so best to forgive that. Back to a maiden and a firmer surface she could be a sharp improver as she did trial okay leading in.

How to play it: Brave Agenda E/W ($5.50 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Brave Agenda runs second at Doomben on April 22

2. Bunker Hut won’t get a better chance to post a confidence boosting win after two runs back. Eye-catcher fresh at Warwick Farm in this class at 1100m then sat on speed and battled on okay in the G3 Gold Coast Guineas last time. Just a touch of luck needed from the wide gate and he goes close.

Dangers: 1. Bat Out Of Hell finished midfield when resuming here three weeks ago and it wasn’t a bad run coming from near last with the leader winning. Fitter for that and down in class so should be competitive. 5. I Am Jade was a solid favourite failing here last time with no obvious excuses found. Been back to the trials and was working up to a win prior to that shock effort. Worth another chance. 8. Consenza raced handy and got the job done first-up at Wyong to break through for her first win. Harder here but drawn to have every chance near the speed again.

How to play it: Bunker Hut WIN ($2.15 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Bunker Hut runs second at Warwick Farm on April 19

3. Master Copy should be just about ready now after two runs back from a spell. Solid in betting when third at Kensington in a similar race two weeks ago when up 400m in trip and has the 3kg off this time. Everything points to him running well.

Dangers: 16. Queenmaker finished second in the same race after sitting outside the leader. She’s racing consistently and is down 0.5kg on that after the claim and should be in the finish again. 6. Time Raid doesn’t win out of turn but he is regularly competitive at this level. Placed here back in February and gave his usual sight when runner-up at Newcastle last time out. Can give some cheek. 8. Fleur Du Monde also comes through the Kensington race where she finished fourth after racing midfield. Lightly raced and while drawn awkwardly would keep her in the mix.

How to play it: Master Copy WIN ($3.40 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Master Copy runs third at Kensington on May 10

5. Estilete did a good job when chasing the speed at Scone in her close second behind a promising type. Hit the front but was a sitting shot there. Form around her is good and she drops nicely in weight into this after the claim. Should measure up.

Dangers: 6. Celestial Spirit was no match for the winner when second behind Grebeni at Warwick Farm last week but she is racing well. Just the one win from 11 is a small concern but she’s going to have every chance to improve on that. 4. Beautiful Heart was probably out of her depth in Listed company up to 1800m last time so forgive that. Shaped up pretty well prior with a popular maiden win at Hawkesbury and with blinkers on can perform well back to this level. 2. Azarmin mixed form but on her second behind Pretty Amazing at Hawkesbury last month she’d be a show. Shade disappointing on Anzac Day but an each-way chance.

How to play it: Estilete WIN ($3.70 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Estilete runs second at Scone on May 12

1. Turning backed up his sound return with a soft win in Midway company at Gosford after having a nice run off the speed. Same weight here after the claim and did win in this class before a break. Has a great record and sure to take beating again.

Dangers: 12. Principessa just needs that breakthrough win given she’s one from 14 but has placed another 11 times. The latest a solid second from the back behind Kazou, who was a short priced favourite, at Kensington. Must be respected. 7. Duke Of Gordon might be one run short but he’s worth keeping an eye on fresh with two trials under his belt. Ran well fresh then won second-up last prep so he’s capable of showing up. 11. Welcome Gypsy is a lightly raced mare who was narrowly denied a hat-trick at Kembla third-up. Down 3kg for the class rise and she’s worth including in the chances.

How to play it: Turning WIN ($3.00 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Turning wins at Gosford on May 6

3. Fuller looks set for a good campaign after an excellent return when third at Kensington a couple of weeks ago. Should have finished closer there but still hit the line nicely. Extra trip a plus and looks a good chance to win though will excel over slightly further too.

Dangers: 8. Flashing Steel has run back into form and had a bit on them scoring at Kembla third-up. Drops 2kg and picks up James McDonald, drawn well so you’d expect him to hold form and if he does he can measure up. 1. Cinque Torri has drawn wide in both runs back and not made much of an impact from the tail so shapes as an improver how he’s come up with gate three. Best form is good enough and can give a sight near the speed here. 4. Mr Bond is a handy middle distance type resuming. He has a consistent record and while this is short of his best he could run a nice race fresh.

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

Fuller runs third at Kensington on May 10

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