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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 to heavy track.

3. Angel Helena is a daughter of an NZ Group 1 winner and there was plenty to like about the way she found the line in her latest trial on the same day as Miravalle. Expect she might get back and look to run on, based on that trial, but commands some respect.

Dangers: 1. Ballistic Lover has that strong form line through her fourth to Macroura and Wild Ruler first-up but she did disappoint when beaten as an odds-on favourite at Wyong. Small query on a very wet track but worth another chance if she can repeat that fresh effort. 6. Zelify is bred to be okay in the wet and she was on the pace in her comfortable trial win a bit over a week ago, her second hitout this time in. No surprise if she was able to win this. 9. Willinga Panache boxed on okay second-up here three weeks ago and gets blinkers on so could be an improver if she handles the ground.

How to play it: Angel Helena WIN ($4.60 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Angel Helena wins a trial at Randwick on May 5

8. Le Vizir is by the same sire as Aylmerton and See You Soon and he’s trialling up quite well for a handy debut. He may drift back from the alley but that’s just a hunch but if he’s solid in the market he could take holding out.

Dangers: 1. California Cible is a half brother to a Group winner in Charmed Harmony and he worked home well in his latest trial suggesting he might be a sneak chance on debut in a wide open race. 10. Scenic Warrior is an interesting runner, he’s only had the one public trial and wasn’t asked for a whole lot in running fourth. In very shrewd stable and any support for him in betting should be respected. 2. Concealed made plenty of ground up on the fence on debut at Kembla and shapes as though the extra ground will assist. No real guide on his wet track credentials but worth a look.

How to play it: Le Vizir E/W ($5.50 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Le Vizir runs second in a trial at Rosehill on May 19

Happy to stick with 1. Jetski who simply got too far back last time out at Warwick Farm. Still a good effort to be beaten 1.4 lengths and easily ran the fastest last 600m of the race 35.28 (Punter's Intelligence). May not need to concede such a start now he’s drawn a little better in a small field and he has wet track credentials. Worth another chance.

Dangers: 7. Lillemor disappointed a shade first-up then led and was run down into third at Warwick Farm two weeks ago. At peak now and the 3kg claim might be a big advantage, particularly if she gets her own way in front. 3. Battleground broke his maiden on a heavy track when on the speed and he might have to push forward here. Last start far from disgraced when favourite at Warwick Farm and finishing close up. Each-way claims. 4. Papal Warrior showed a lot of intent when he won first-up over this course to claim a maiden win. Up in grade but handles the going and that's a head start.

How to play it: Jetski E/W ($7.50 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Jetski runs fifth at Warwick Farm on May 13

12. Milunka showed plenty of promise last time in work and while she’s coming off a 10 month absence this race looks suitable. She’s trialled very well, particularly her second trial, and she has won over this course on a soft track. Drawn nicely, just like to see some support and she should feature.

Dangers: 6. Mummentum won on a heavy track at Grafton back in February and she was a month between runs when she cantered home at Taree a couple of weeks ago. Obviously this is a harder task but she’s fit and in form and could measure up without surprising. 7. My Demetra has been racing well without winning of late. Not disgraced in the strong Rocha Clock race two starts ago then battled on okay at Warwick Farm. Handles the wet and expect she’ll be competitive as usual, though might just need some luck. 2. Maui Girl is hard to knock on two provincial wins since joining the Jason Coyle yard. Her only failures have come in stakes company so has to be respected.

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

Milunka runs second in a Rosehill trial on May 19 (note: foggy)

3. Continuation might be one run away from peak fitness but he’s more than capable of putting himself into this race at odds. Probably should have run fourth or fifth first-up after being cut out in the straight and generally improves through a prep as he did last time in. Good each-way hope.

Dangers: 5. Moon Panther is racing in great form and was probably a bit stiff not to finish closer when third at Warwick Farm two weeks ago. Has handled the wet okay in his couple of tries and the way he’s going at present he has to be included. 1. Monsieur Sisu had been game in a couple of placings prior to a flop at Rosehill in stronger company. Unbeaten at Canterbury, races on the speed and is a pro in the wet so he’s worth another look. 2. Fast Talking has been around the mark since his first-up win at Mudgee and handled a heavy at Randwick in his close fourth in the Country Championships. Gets back and runs on and wouldn’t be leaving him out.

How to play it: Continuation E/W ($10 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Continuation’s first-up run at Newcastle on May 9

8. Monte Ditto tends to get back a bit so doesn’t win out of turn but he is right on the cusp of a win if he can get the right run. Close up here two starts back then just missed with a late bid three weeks ago over this course. Soft form is good, should run well as usual.

Dangers: 4. Pinvincible was a bit ordinary last start at Warwick Farm but interestingly he has the blinkers on and was really let run in them in a trial since that last effort. He might adopt something similar here so give him another chance. 11. Vitesse isn’t known for winning first-up but she generally runs a good race fresh. Looked to have a bit up the sleeve in winning a recent trial and it wouldn’t shock if she found herself in the finish. 3. Epic Dan is a real wet tracker so forgive his last unplaced efforts on much firmer footing. Previous few runs in the wet were excellent and if he gets that bit of luck needed from the wide gate he’s more than capable of featuring.

How to play it: Monte Ditto E/W ($6.00 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: EVENS.

Monte Ditto runs second at Canterbury on May 6

1. Bigboyroy is the best horse in the race and while drawn the outside it’s not as bad as it looks. Hit the line well when resuming to go very close, running the race's fastest last 200m of 11.83 (Punter's Intelligence), and with the claim here he’s well in at the weights. A couple of speed horses drawn out with him might enable him to get into a good spot and if he can he’s the one to beat.

Dangers: 7. Chocolatier led and boxed on okay over this course when resuming for the new stable three weeks ago and can only be fitter for it. Wet track form doesn’t extend beyond a soft 5 so it’s a bit of a guess but he’s an on pacer who will have his chance if he does handle it. 11. Dream Circle is flying of late and just missed at Warwick Farm two weeks ago at 1300m. Generally races in the first half but got well back last time. Handles the wet and must be included in the main chances. 6. Assault'n'bathory is a front-running type who handles all conditions. Ran them off their feet at Canberra two back then reeled in late in the Parkes Cup last time. Each-way.

How to play it: Bigboyroy WIN ($3.20 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Bigboyroy runs second at Warwick Farm on May 13

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