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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.

2. Fair Maiden is a nicely bred filly on debut on the back of a couple of handy trial performances in the past month or so. Latest was over 1200m on her home track. Lands a favourable barrier and looks a good chance to kick off in a positive fashion.

Dangers: 6. Indigo Star steps out for the first time and was a narrow winner of a trial at Rosehill two weeks ago. Hit the front a fair way out there and just held on. Better for it, draws one and has every chance. 7. Shanwah from the Ciaron Maher stable is also on debut, he’s had a couple of preparations and has been runner-up in his two trials this time in. Keep safe. Same for stablemate 3. Grassburn who debuted with an on pace third at Benalla earlier this month. Imagine she’ll press forward to a degree from the wide gate and could show up.

How to play it: Fair Maiden WIN ($4.20 TAB Fixed Odds).

Fair Maiden runs second in a Warwick Farm trial on May 21

3. Bella Corazon started in the market on debut in a Blue Diamond Preview back in January before being spelled. Best of two trials was her latest, draws well and she should be competitive back to a maiden.

Dangers: 1. Madrina likely looks to cross from the outside gate and if she gets there without too much hassle can take running down. Drifter in the betting on resuming in Listed company at Eagle Farm but boxed on well enough to run fourth. Respect. 2. Avior is a debutante from the Chris Waller stable who finished last in two trials before winning her latest at Rosehill. One to keep an eye on. 12. Tehina debuted behind Clean Energy on a heavy track at Warwick Farm so with a bit firmer footing here she could be an improver.

How to play it: Bella Corazon WIN ($3.90 TAB Fixed Odds).

4. Know Thyself is a promising type who has looked impressive in winning both starts in easier company and lands in a winnable Benchmark 64 to resume. Should find a trailing spot from a nice gate, just had the one trial but does look above average. Go well.

Dangers: 11. Eraantyva ran right up to her handy debut at this trial with a come from behind maiden win at Gosford on May 16 in heavy ground. May not give away so much start from gate one here and looks a danger. 12. Yankee One landed in a good spot from a wide gate first-up and battled on okay in restricted room at times when fifth in a similar race here four weeks ago. Will need some luck again but is in the mix. 5. Battle Of Vienna won narrowly at Gosford when resuming then close up as favourite at Scone over the carnival. Will need some luck but has to be considered.

How to play it: Know Thyself WIN ($3.00 TAB Fixed Odds).

Know Thyself wins a Muswellbrook trial on May 15

1. Cabaca looks ready to win after seconds at her past two starts. Just run down second-up then game on a heavy 10 at Warwick Farm three weeks ago. Back to mares company, drawn to have every chance. Take beating.

Dangers: 6. Shuri started a solid favourite when resuming at Newcastle and might have had some excuses making her run along the inside in what looked inferior ground. Impressive enough winning her two starts last prep and can lift. 3. Allapercanto was a soft winner of a Class 1 at Hawkesbury two weeks back at her fourth run from a spell. Has placed in this grade previously and is a definite chance. 2. Super Chilled has been a bit disappointing and was never a threat first-up at Kensington when in the market. Fitter for that and both wins have come at this track so she could be an improver.

How to play it: Cabaca WIN ($2.90 TAB Fixed Odds).

Cabaca runs second at Warwick Farm on May 8

10. Primo raced handy to win a maiden at Kembla before getting back off a wide gate and running into a solid second at Newcastle a few weeks ago. Might have to press forward in a race lacking tempo but looks ready for the step up in class and distance.

Dangers: 3. Presser is an interesting runner now with Matthew Smith after two runs back in Victoria. Hit the line well late in his trial at Warwick Farm just over a week ago and any support would be significant in an open race. 9. Missile Seeker ran third in the same race as Primo and gets a nice 4kg drop in weight into this. Did start favourite there and is worth including in the chances. 5. Monarchs Brae won twice over 1900m at Canterbury last time in and while he will improve on whatever he does first-up a forward showing wouldn’t surprise.

How to play it: Primo WIN ($5.00 TAB Fixed Odds).

Primo runs second at Newcastle on May 9

8. Little Cointreau rushed through the grades last time in winning a maiden and Class 1 at the provincials before a narrow second in this grade at Warwick Farm back in January. Fitter for two trials, and she’s done nothing but be competitive so far.

Dangers: 3. Bunker Hut raced wide and was cut down late at Kensington before hitting the lead on the turn and boxing on for third on a heavy there two weeks ago. Down in class and 3kg claim a plus so expect he will be a major player again. 11. Silent Raindrops gets the blinkers back on third-up and it might pay to forgive her failure at Kensington last time out where she went back and didn’t make an impact. First-up run was sound and is she’s a chance here. 4. Givara tends to be better second-up but poked through late in his recent trial and is down in grade on two runs since winning a BM72 in February. Keep in mind.

How to play it: Little Cointreau WIN ($4.60 TAB Fixed Odds).

Little Cointreau’s trial at Warwick Farm on May 21

14. Worth Avenue did a very big job to finish as close as she did second-up at Scone during the carnival and looks suited up in trip from a softer gate. Hit the line from an impossible position over a mile there and this doesn’t look any harder. Good chance.

Dangers: 7. Frankly Elegant lifted off the canvas after being headed at the 200m to win at Kensington two weeks ago. Rolls forward from the gate and if she gets any control you know she’ll give a good kick. Definite threat. 6. Pure Hydrogen ran on well from the back in a Midway at Scone to continue his consistent form of late. Just needs a win but right in this if he gets any luck. 3. Yet He Moves was beaten as an odds-on favourite here two runs back then just battled on the heavy at Kensington last time. Could lift back onto a bit firmer ground.

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

Worth Avenue runs fifth at Scone on May 17

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