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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.

7. Makena didn’t do a whole lot on debut back in January but on the evidence of a very strong trial win recently she might be heading the right way now. Draws nicely to be prominent and if she can take advantage then she looks hard to beat.

Dangers: 10. Zia from the Waterhouse/Bott yard commands some respect on debut. She won her first trial a month ago on the synthetic then close up behind Thunderlips who was narrowly beaten at Rosehill on the weekend. She has gate one and imagine she will use it. Go well. 1. Al Ras Blues has taken some time to step out after a number of trials over the past six months but there was something to like about the latest one, a length fifth at Randwick on April 18. In good hands and is worth a look. 12. Zoukerette seemed to have her chance when resuming behind Dipsy Doodle at Warwick Farm but wasn’t beaten far. Fitter for it and is a likely improver.

How to play it: Makena WIN ($4.80 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Makena wins a Warwick Farm trial on April 21

13. Vomo Island looks a promising type. Should have won on debut here back in February without much doubt. Freshened up since then and trialled quite well a week ago. Should have every chance to break through with even luck.

Dangers: 10. Snowman is an interesting runner worth some thought. Not raced since beaten under two lengths by Militarize on debut here back in February and it wasn’t a bad run either. Quiet trial a month ago. Keep safe. 6. Kandinsky Abstract is a $3 million full brother to Sunlight (who cost $300,000) on debut and he trialled in the same heat as Vomo Island running third. Thought that horse had his measure but it was only a trial so be wary of the market. 12. Vanquished had some support on debut at Warwick Farm where he sat handy and boxed on okay. If he can take improvement from that run then he could find himself in the finish.

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

Vomo Island runs second at Canterbury in February

6. I Am Jade is close to a win and it could come here in what looks a winnable race. A month between runs and led when run down by Sideswipe, who has won again since, at Hawkesbury last time. No harder here and should be in the finish.

Dangers: 4. Leandra hasn’t raced since an unplaced effort here in January where she did have to do some work to get outside the lead. Previous two runs were solid including a second to Demiana. No public trial but clearly has some ability. 10. Himalaism is now a 15 start maiden but he’s been a bit stiff in a couple of his recent attempts to break through. Shut out of a run at a vital stage on Anzac Day and did well to recover and run fourth. If the breaks go his way for once he could notch a win. 3. Prefer The Wink is bred to appreciate a lot more ground but he did match it nicely with Warning in his trial at Warwick Farm recently. If he’s above average he could sprint well fresh.

How to play it: I Am Jade WIN ($2.40 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: EVENS.

I Am Jade runs second at Hawkesbury on April 13

5. Sprout Wings has clearly come back in good form with a sweeping win at Warwick Farm first-up. She generally holds her form and is proven at this track and distance. No reason why she can’t be a major player again in an open race.

Dangers: 4. Bak Da Man found his best form second-up with an easy win over a similar trip at Newcastle and has proven up to this sort of company previously. Draws to get an easy run and capable of measuring up. 1. Storm King led all the way under 60kg at Kensington on Anzac Day and rises 2kg for his trouble. Rarely runs a bad race and expect he will be prominent again, probably comes down to what sort of run he’s afforded in transit. 7. Domingo beat one home in the Australian Derby but that can be overlooked. He was shaping up well with a couple of wins at Canberra and Wyong and if he’s freshened up okay out of the Derby he could pose a threat.

How to play it: Sprout Wings E/W ($6.50 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Sprout Wings wins at Warwick Farm on March 29

12. Great Barrier Reef hasn’t quite lived up to his pedigree but he’s back as a gelding and has been taken along quietly in his trials. There was enough in his latest to say he’s going okay, JMac rides and he’s drawn well enough. Chance to show something.

Dangers: 6. Overlord wasn’t disgraced at his first run for the new stable running into fourth at Warwick Farm almost a month ago. He has won in this class, gets down in the weights a bit after the claim and draws to have a soft run. Must consider. 3. Famous Pedrille won well under a big weight first-up and has been just behind the placings in three runs in this class since. Well supported at Warwick Farm last time and hit the lead on the turn before weakening into fourth. Back slightly in trip might be handy and he can go forward. Include. 1. Stick To Your Guns can be a bit hit and miss but he did win first-up last time in. Nothing wrong with his trials and he’s not without a chance.

How to play it: Great Barrier Reef E/W ($4.60 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: EVENS.

Great Barrier Reef’s trial at Rosehill on April 11

10. Speed Legend will need a bit of luck from the wide gate but he is due for a change of fortune. He’s been around the mark of late and had excuses in the Midway last time when wide all the way, but he still boxed on. Good chance.

Dangers: 8. Tradition was a massive drifter in betting first-up at Kembla Grange and he held his ground okay to run fifth on a heavy 9. Slightly better surface is in his favour and will be fitter. Might need one more but expect a big improvement. 12. Glowing Gold was never in the hunt when resuming at Newcastle off a wide gate. Blinkers go back on now and he’ll be able to be more prominent from a better gate. She strung three wins together last time in and appears likely to run well. 11. Songbird Serenade can be inconsistent but on her third to Sprout Wings two starts back she’d be in the mix. Likes to race forward and is an each-way chance.

How to play it: Speed Legend WIN ($5.00 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: EVENS.

Speed Legend’s last run at Randwick on April 15

12. Va Via has only won one from 11 but she was working up to a win last time in when she bled at Rosehill in October. Placed behind Joyful Fortune and Audette before that. Not asked for anything in her public trial five weeks ago, draws ideally and she has strong claims.

Dangers: 11. Bat Out Of Hell is now with the Maher & Eustace stable and cruised along okay in his trial a couple of weeks ago. Has yet to miss a place in five starts and is worth keeping safe. 1. Conrad attacked the line well when resuming at Kensington two months ago then excuses on a heavy track in a Provincial Midway heat at Wyong. Freshened up, drawn well and his best is good enough to be a show. 7. Either Oar led all the way to win a Midway in November then in the market up in class but had cardiac arrhythmia when failing on her home track. Nice trial win leading in and she could give some cheek fresh, though she generally takes a run.

How to play it: Va Via WIN ($3.80 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Va Via’s trial at Rosehill on March 27

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