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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 to soft track.

5. Bigboyroy was just behind them in several races as a colt but returns this prep gelded and with a handy trial under his belt. Barrier one looks a big plus with a bit of speed engaged and if he can find that extra length or so as a gelding he should go close.

Dangers: 6. Sangria took control early and was never troubled breaking through at Hawkesbury despite a betting drift. She can be troublesome at the gates but if she steps away well from a good draw is up to winning this. 2. Betcha Flying is an interesting runner as all her form is on wet tracks in the winter. Spelled after a big run from last at Randwick on a heavy 9. Recent trial was a typically quiet one, gets back and runs on so keep her safe. 3. Lakia led all the way to an easy win here first-up then outside the lead and was run over late at Kensington in what looks a stronger form race. Whether she can dictate here is questionable but has to be included.

How to play it: Bigboyroy E/W ($7.00 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Bigboyroy’s trial at Canterbury on September 2

4. Lewis was runner-up in a similar race two weeks ago and while he looked a little weak late he did do a bit of chasing from the 400m. Perhaps a softer run will assist and with the racing falling away he’s worth another chance.

Dangers: 3. Relucent switches states after a fast finishing second at Sandown over 1400m three weeks ago. Not sure where he settles but the scratchings have helped his cause. Keep safe. 12. Side Hussle ran a solid fourth in the same race as Relucent in an improved effort on what he showed in his first two starts. Could continue to lift. 6. Battenburg had support first-up at Kensington and just battled in the run home. Fitter so could fare better here.

How to play it: Lewis WIN ($2.60 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Lewis runs second at Canterbury on September 11

6. Genoveffa looks bombproof to finish top three after a game effort to chase over this course two weeks ago and hold second. In peak form at the moment and gets a nice run midfield or better on paper. If that’s the case she’ll be right in the finish.

Dangers: 4. Kentucky Diva looks a big improver on a last start that was basically a non-event. She beat one home there but struck trouble and was only beaten 4.5 lengths. Proven at the extra trip and is a good each-way chance. 7. Waking Moment is proving very costly but she’s back out to a middle distance which looks to suit. Outsprinted on the turn but stayed on to run fourth here two weeks ago and on consistency should be thereabouts. It’s just she’s only won once in 24 starts. 8. Kelvinside continues to race well without winning and he ran on quite nicely into third in the same race as Genoveffa. So on that score he’s in the mix once again.

How to play it: Genoveffa WIN ($3.80 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: EVENS.

Genoveffa runs second at Canterbury on September 11

Happy to jump on 2. The Bald Eagle who has put two wins together in this class, course and distance and while up in the weights is the one that looks to get the favours again. Drawn to settle just off the speed, he should hit the front somewhere in the straight and take beating from there.

Dangers: 6. Johnny Vinko is fitter for one run back in the same race as The Bald Eagle but he stays at the same trip when he appears to be better over 2000m or so. On that theory he can’t turn the tables but if he gets a race run to suit he’ll be strong late and that’s his chance. 3. Adana broke through two starts ago on a heavy then got a long way back and just worked home fairly when well beaten by Irukandji last time. Likes the sting out of the ground, has drawn well so should run well but he’s a take on trust kind of horse. 1. Falcon Island is the likely leader and should be fitter for two runs back from a spell. Just faded at Kensington last time which is a worry but he’s capable of bouncing back if he gets a level of control in front.

How to play it: The Bald Eagle E/W ($4.60 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

The Bald Eagle wins at Canterbury on September 11

4. Duchess Of Lennox looks to have every chance to atone for her luckless first-up fourth at Kensington a few weeks back where she ran the fastest last 600m of 34.35 (Punter's Intelligence) despite being held up over the last 200m. Was due to race last week but her race was washed out but this suits on a better surface, drawn well and with even luck can finish over the top.

Dangers: 2. Grand Bouquet looks some kind of threat first-up since the Queensland Derby where she ran a respectable seventh. Liked her second trial and it wouldn’t surprise if she’s working home strongly late. 1. Zalatte was disappointing in the same race Duchess Of Lennox was unlucky and on face value couldn’t turn the tables. Down in weight, drawn well and fitter are all positives so she can improve, and we know she’s good enough on her day, but you have to be sceptical. 7. Almerheri is racing in good form and comes back to fillies and mares company. Handy effort four weeks ago in a solid form race and can’t be left out of the chances.

How to play it: Duchess Of Lennox WIN ($3.10 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: EVENS.

Duchess Of Lennox runs fourth at Kensington on September 4

Taking the punt that 8. Vedder can get into a spot from the wide gate, the scratchings have helped out there, as the 1250m start is the fairest at Canterbury. Tough effort to share the lead in a fast run race and go down in the last stride first-up. Fitter and with that touch of luck should go close.

Dangers: 11. Romani Girl contested the Australian Oaks before a spell but probably didn’t quite stay. Her efforts at a mile and below were excellent, she’s had a couple of quiet trials and will get out the back but if there is pace on she’ll be charging home. 2. Spanish Dream was right on the speed all the way and lasted to win at Rosehill in a benchmark 88 so comes back in class for this. Drawn to be right there again and if she gets a breather she can take running down. 4. Viceroy didn’t come into it last start behind Rock over this course but if you go back three runs he finished fourth in the Ramornie at Grafton. He generally runs well here so could be an improver at big odds.

How to play it: Vedder WIN ($3.60 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: EVENS.

Vedder runs a close second at Canterbury on September 11

11. Kylease is well worth another chance after going under at odds-on first-up two weeks ago. She had genuine excuses after drawing wide and working hard to try and lead. Only beaten 1.8 lengths so it was a big run. Drawn much kinder this time and though there is speed engaged she can bounce back. Read trainer Joe Pride's comments here.

Dangers: 16. Ballistica will get back but is a strong finisher as she showed winning at Warwick Farm and in her closing second at Randwick. Looks a decent danger. 13. California Zimbol won on debut here in May beating Maddi Rocks then not disgraced in two Listed races in Brisbane. Has trialled well, including a win two weeks ago where she got up inside the leader to score. Must respect. 1. After All That will get back from the wide gate but if they can run on and overdo it in front he has a big finish on him. Rarely runs a bad one so worth throwing into the multiples at least.

How to play it: Kylease WIN ($2.60 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Kylease’s first-up run at Canterbury on September 11

8. Luna Mia has looked very good in two wins at Muswellbrook and Scone and faces a big test here. She’s currently in The Kosciuszko field so she’ll be expected to measure up. Impossible to know how she lines up in a decent midweek level event and that’s the risk but the scratchings have helped her out.

Dangers: 11. Dunbrody Power gets back and runs on and she was a bit unlucky behind Ballistica two back then not disgraced in an on pace race off a wide gate at Warwick Farm a month ago. Sure to be hitting the line nicely again. 4. Wonderbabe beat Black Magnum four starts back and chased Sylvia's Mother home after that so that sort of form reads well for this. Tried in tougher company before a spell and has trialled okay. Respect. 10. Alison Of Tuffy has drawn to be right on the pace and beat a subsequent winner at Hawkesbury last start. Each-way claims.

How to play it: Luna Mia WIN ($2.60 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: EVENS.

Luna Mia wins at Scone on September 9

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