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By Ray Hickson

Tips and race by race preview by Ray Hickson for Thursday's meeting at Canterbury. Selections based on a heavy track.

6. Richon has compelling form lines through his debut second to Promitto, subsequent Skyline Stakes winner, and his effort was sound. Hit the lead but was no match for the winner late. Fitter for that, and he can only run well.

Dangers: 2. Chipper seemed to get through a soft 6 track in his latest trial with ease, closing off late into third under little pressure. Heavy is a different story of course but well worth keeping safe. 5. Matcha Latte was given some time between his first trial, which was here on a soft 7, and the latest against two rivals. Hard to get a real line on that hitout but he strode out well. No surprise if he features. 4. Himalaism has been a little disappointing in two starts to date but there might be a small drop in depth in this field. Out in plenty of time behind Troach off a two month break and only battled.

How to play it: Richon WIN ($4.20 TAB Fixed Odds) Odds & Evens: EVENS.

Richon runs second at Newcastle on February 12

1. Money From The Sky is no doubt the most talented horse in this race but has yet to really put it all together. Worked home into third when resuming at Kensington behind Stray and should be improved. If he’s a wet tracker he can get over the top of them.

Dangers: 7. Taizai comes through the same race at Kensington, she raced handy and boxed on nicely enough for second. Not far off a win, yet to see a heavy but has to be respected. 9. Ultimate Pride is showing some promise and tried hard when resuming with a closing second at Wyong a couple of weeks ago. Debut was on a heavy track at Canterbury and she ran a close fourth. Keep in mind. 4. Spitfire led them up over this course last time out and was run down late. Racing consistently, seems to handle the heavy well and that has him in the mix.

How to play it: Money From The Sky WIN ($3.30 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Money From The Sky runs third at Kensington on February 16

7. Devil’s Throat is straight off a maiden win up to a BM72 but he’s a horse that’s always promised a bit and might now go on with it. Has a heavy track placing to his name and can race handy or come from off the pace. Good chance to double up.

Dangers: 1. Black Duke loves Canterbury but things don’t always fall his way. Hit the line as usual here last time and is a heavy track winner so if he gets the breaks he’s more than capable of winning. 3. Not Another Reiby was a drifter in betting and didn’t fire when he resumed here a few weeks back. He’s much better than that, has won a couple of races on the heavy and can improve sharply. 6. Derbari can take a run or two to find his feet but he’s a good wet tracker and resumes with a couple of recent trials under his belt. Blinkers off for his first-up run, one to keep an eye on for the future.

How to play it: Devil’s Throat WIN ($3.50 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Devil’s Throat wins at Canterbury on February 18

6. Publicist looks well placed off a freshen up since an all the way win at Warwick Farm about seven weeks ago. Kept up to the mark with a trial win over 1250m recently, likely leader and should be hard to run down.

Dangers: 9. Arbitration broke through for a popular win at Warwick Farm three weeks ago and the form has stood up nicely with both placegetters winning since. Did fail on a heavy track on debut but fit here and is a good chance. 2. Finepoint looks a very promising filly and she’s back from a break since successive wins at Kensington and here in December. Ran fourth on debut on a heavy track beaten 1.6 lengths. Keep safe. 8. Divina has been off the scene since May but she’s another to keep a close watch on. Ran third to Hilal and King Of Sparta on debut on a soft 7 before winning here at start two.

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

Publicist wins at Warwick Farm on January 12

5. Forever You has a tricky gate but has proven to be a very good wet tracker so far as she works through the grades. Both recent wins have been dominant and while coming back a little in trip a testing track should compensate for that. Hard to beat again.

Dangers: 3. Legend Has It finished strongly to post an overdue win at Warwick Farm last time out and he is more than capable of going on with it. Was a month between runs there too and is competent in the wet. 4. Main Stage doesn’t win out of turn but he did post a victory leading all the way at Kensington a couple of weeks ago. Yet to win at this track but does handle the wet and must be considered. 1. Just A Jedi did a good job after leading at Warwick Farm last time to only succumb late behind Legend Has It. On pacer who can give a sight.

How to play it: Forever You WIN ($2.50 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Forever You wins at Newcastle on February 5

5. Impulse Control might have struck a city race at the right time coming off wet track wins at Port Macquarie and Newcastle. She’s the in-form horse of the race, in well with a claim and handles the ground so should be very competitive.

Dangers: 6. Shanjomi wasn’t disgraced first-up at Warwick Farm when beaten under two lengths by Stormborn. Fitter for that and while yet to see a wet track she’s right in this if she can handle it. 3. Sunborn was solid in the market first-up and ran on fairly without threatening to be beaten three lengths by Stormborn. Fitter for that and her best is good enough. 8. Lisdoonvarna has been known to show up fresh and she can handle a heavy track so could find herself in the placings.

How to play it: Impulse Control WIN ($5.50 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Impulse Control wins at Newcastle on February 12

4. Fleet Air Arm has won three from three and did the job easily first-up over 900m at Newcastle on a soft 7 track. Extra trip no issue, seems as though the wet isn’t either and can’t see any reason why he shouldn’t go close.

Dangers: 5. Smirnova is another unbeaten galloper and she’s resuming since her latest on a soft 7 here back in November. Trialling well and she’s a definite threat. 6. Ahead Start is a promising type who hasn’t raced since a close up fourth in a Highway back on Everest Day. Wet track doesn’t seem a problem for him and he’s worth throwing in the multiples fresh. 1. Jerle was an all the way winner on a soft 7 back in October at Warwick Farm but his first-up record says he takes a run. Fitter for two trials and his heavy track form has him in the mix.

How to play it: Fleet Air Arm WIN ($4.00 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Fleet Air Arm wins at Newcastle on February 5

13. Roots showed stakes potential last preparation but is being taken through the grades at present. Rounded them up for an easy first-up win and stays down in the weights for a modest class rise. Yet to see a heavy but the horse to beat.

Dangers: 4. Marnix has struck top form with successive Warwick Farm wins over 1400m in January. Freshened up since the latest on Australia Day, seems to handle the wet okay and is hard to overlook. 12. Gracilistyla was strongly supported first-up here a couple of weeks ago and found himself too far back before hitting the line into second. Has won a soft 7 so should be fine on a heavy and must be considered. 3. Sessions Road has a good winning record and was a bit too strong late when scoring here three weeks ago. No heavy track exposure but hard to knock his resolve. Definite chance.

How to play it: Roots WIN ($2.50 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Roots wins at Warwick Farm on February 9

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