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By Ray Hickson

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

7. Ferrari Man might get some on pace favours once he crossed from the outside and if that’s the case he’ll be hard to beat. Fought hard when narrowly denied at Newcastle two weeks ago and he’s close to a win.

Dangers: 1. Cadetship jumped at a shadow when winning his first trial then worked home well without threatening in his second. Nicely bred gelding and commands some respect on debut. 5. Wild Irish Rover showed some promise in strong company at his first two starts and could be one to watch fresh. Only 3.5 lengths from Fireburn last time out. Fitter for two trials and drawn well. 3. Standing Order bumped into Williamsburg on debut at Newcastle then just fair in the Black Opal. Entitled to another chance.

How to play it: Ferrari Man WIN ($3.10 TAB Fixed Odds).

Ferrari Man runs second at Newcastle on March 17

2. Brechen has taken some time to get to the track but nice improvement into second trial for the Waller yard on a heavy at the Farm. If gate one is an advantage then he should run very well on debut.

Dangers: 1. Aircraftman was game first-up at this trip on a good track then not as effective when up to 1550m on the heavy. Beaten favourite here last time but entitled to another chance back in trip. 6. The Art Of Flying has missed a place just once in five starts and that was his only run in Sydney back in December, though it was a strong race won by Paulele. Big odds last time and beaten 3.5 by Overpass so that’s not bad form. Keep in mind. 3. Hollywood North hit the line when the race was all over at Hawkesbury last start in an improved effort. Each-way claims if he can repeat.

How to play it: Brechen E/W ($5.00 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Brechen runs third in a Warwick Farm trial on March 14

5. Main Stage has struck some outstanding form of late, easily winning at Kensington before bumping into a smart one last week at Warwick Farm on a heavy track. Will go forward here and while yet to win this trip will give a big sight.

Dangers: 3. Military Mission was a bit one paced early in the straight first-up but warmed up late for a solid third here three weeks back. Extra trip looks in his favour and he’s a likely improver. 1. Reggiewood was a month between runs when beating Main Stage at Kensington on a soft track but it’s almost two months since that win. Has trialled and while yet to see a heavy track is hard to leave out. 2. Olympic Theatre comes off an upset win at Newcastle and should be right at his peak now. Has to tick the heavy box but capable of a placing.

How to play it: Main Stage WIN ($2.90 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Main Stage runs second at Warwick Farm on March 23

1. Switched revels in the heavy ground and she was beaten by a progressive one when runner-up in a midway a month ago. She goes forward and if she can get comfortable on the speed should be hard to beat.

Dangers: 7. Impulse Control is a very good wet tracker racing well at the provincials. She led them up at Gosford last time and responded to pressure to go down fighting. Drawn to land on the speed and a good chance to measure up. 3. Miss Fox is a consistent mare who seems to handle a heavy track okay but does have a few misses as well. Fitter for two trials and can be in the finish. 10. Devils Triangle bumped into Shelby Sixtysix in a Highway last month then every chance when runner-up at Canberra as an odds-on favourite. Yet to miss a place so has to be considered.

How to play it: Switched WIN ($3.50 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Switched runs second at Randwick on February 26

3. Cross The Rubicon is an up and comer in great form with three wins on end at the provincials and was very strong in winning her latest at Newcastle over 1400m. Yet to strike a heavy track for current stable but good chance if she handles it.

Dangers: 5. Vittoriosa was a drifter in betting first-up but made some nice ground late to run fourth on a heavy track here three weeks ago. Fitter and a likely improver. 8. Kouklara rarely runs a bad race and this one has opened up a bit with the scratchings. Has a show. 7. Girls Are Ready has a very good heavy track record so best to overlook failure on a good track at Canberra last time.

How to play it: Cross The Rubicon E/W ($4.40 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Cross The Rubicon wins at Newcastle on March 17

1. Fantastic Baby was brave first-up since October when going down in the last couple of strides in a Midway at Rosehill. Raced on speed there and toughed it out, imagine he rolls forward again and is right in the finish.

Dangers: 5. Philipsburg boxed on fairly in the Wild Card at Scone but before that he was a game second on a heavy track over this course. If he can repeat the effort he can take some beating. 8. Whodat comes up in class after a couple of Newcastle wins this month, backed up a dominant maiden win on a heavy track with a tough effort up to a Class 1. Could measure up. 9. Field Legend seemed to have his chance behind Whodat but is a heavy track winner here and is 1kg better off at the weights. Keep in mind.

How to play it: Fantastic Baby WIN ($5.00 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Fantastic Baby runs second at Rosehill on March 19

10. Gracilistyla beat a pretty smart one in Diamil when scoring over this course on a heavy track three weeks ago. No harder here, drawn okay and handles the ground. Down 1kg and plenty to like about his chances.

Dangers: 9. Hasstobegood was close up when resuming here in February then not disgraced up to Group 3 company last time on a heavy track, running on fairly late. Better off back here and no surprise if she shows up. 4. Ucalledit is an interesting runner first-up for the Lees yard from NZ. Had a handy record over there including a heavy track placing and he’s had a couple of trials. Watch betting. 8. Vreneli was second-up when holding on for third behind Gracilistyla. Will go forward and is capable of being in the finish.

How to play it: Gracilistyla WIN ($3.10 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Gracilistyla wins at Canterbury on March 10

13. I Am Brazen showed enough early to see her start favourite at her first two attempts but given some time she appears to have come back better with a couple of strong Goulburn wins. Put five lengths on them on a heavy track last time and no surprise if she measures up.

Dangers: 8. Calgary Queen didn’t have a lot of luck off a wide gate when resuming at Gosford in a Provincial-Midway Championships heat. Battled on okay to run fifth but draws more favourably here and is a two time heavy track winner. Go well. 15. Shanjomi hasn’t been far away in two runs back including last time on a heavy 8 at Newcastle. On her first-up run behind Stormborn in this class she’s a chance. 4. Too Much Caviar won first-up last time in off impressive trials and comes into this fresh with two trial wins to his name, pushed out a little late in the second. If he gets across he could take running down.

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

I Am Brazen wins at Goulburn on March 11