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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 good to soft track.

1. September Run had support to beat Away Game in the Widden back in February and wasn’t disgraced after racing three wide in the small field. Since then she’s trialled very nicely and looks to have some quality about her. Go well.

Dangers: 4. Zoumist has been trialling very well ahead of her debut and while asked to go in winning the latest a couple of weeks ago she found the line fluently. Market some guide but if she runs up to the trials will be competitive. 2. Onedayclosertoyou is a well bred filly and she finished just ahead of September Run in her only official trial, it’s debatable whether she was going better or not at the finish as she was let stride a bit. Have to respect. 3. Zouflu made plenty of late ground from well back in her second trial and looks an improving type. Probably has to concede a start given the outside barrier but rather keep her safe given the stable’s success with two-year-olds this season.

How to play it: September Run WIN ($2.25 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

September Run finishes third in a trial at Rosehill on April 20

11. Yulong Hero wasn’t asked for anything in his first trial then was hard to miss late when in the clear behind Ballistic Moon. While beaten five lengths there he wasn’t able to wind up until too late. Drawn okay and is one to keep very safe.

Dangers: 1. Volterra probably should have won on debut then to be fair was a bit plain at start two. Trialling okay, drawn to get his chance and is entitled to show something. 2. Already Blessed bumped into Macroura first-up at Kembla then back to 900m and battled on okay at Newcastle. Up in trip now but is honest and sure to give a good account. 4. Fastconi had a very quiet trial at Warwick Farm in mid-April, not pressured at all in running fifth. Watch betting for a push.

How to play it: Yulong Hero E/W ($6.50 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Yulong Hero runs fourth in a trial at Warwick Farm on April 17

Five from the Chris Waller stable makes this a tough one but 5. Irish Angel has shown ability without winning to date and she finished off her trial this prep with plenty of purpose. Trip suits fresh and will likely settle back and need the breaks but good chance.

Dangers: 1. Papal Warrior has had issues since last prep where he had one run and was a well beaten favourite at this track in September. His recent trial suggests he’s on track and he might be ready to show his best. 3. Split Not A Shock trialled in the same heat as Irish Angel, sat handy and held her ground in third. Wouldn’t surprise to see her land handy and give some cheek. 2. Aqueous led and seemed to have her chance on debut at Nowra when favourite. She did fight when challenged and the extra 150m might be in her favour. 7. Zing is the one at big odds that could run a race too, she had cardiac arrhythmia when well supported last start before a spell. Quiet trial.

How to play it: Irish Angel WIN ($3.80 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Irish Angel runs second in a Rosehill trial on April 20

This could be the day for 2. Come Along to break through after he put the writing on the wall with a slashing second over this course two weeks ago. Had to give away too big a start there but that may not be the case from the inside gate this time. Hard to beat.

Dangers: 1. The Cartoonist has come back in super form and held off Come Along to win second-up. Has the racing pattern that always makes him hard to beat around the tighter tracks and while 1.5kg worse off for that win is the logical danger again. 7. Regimental Band had every chance when runner-up over this course in fillies and mares company but she is racing well on the whole. 6. Earth Song will appreciate a bit firmer ground after two nice efforts in the wet this time in. Was a winner over this course on a good track in November and is one of the chances.

How to play it: Come Along E/W ($4.00 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Come Along runs second to The Cartoonist at Canterbury on April 22

2. Beach Baby has a hard luck story from his narrow defeat here two weeks ago, he was trapped wide but refused to give in. Ideally drawn to get the run of the race this time and he’s a very good chance to atone.

Dangers:4. Reformist has always shown some ability and he might be back in action after an impressive first-up win at Kembla. Up in grade but the confidence is up and he could easily go on with it. 11. Jazette is up 2kg for beating Beach Baby but meets that horse on the same weight terms here. Races on the speed and should come across from the wide alley. Can be competitive again. 1. Starspangled Rodeo has his first run for Bjorn Baker and has won both recent trials. Only unplaced run was before a break in a fairly strong race at Flemington and obviously in new yard now. Check betting and follow accordingly.

How to play it: Beach Baby WIN ($3.20 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: EVENS.

Beach Baby runs second at Canterbury on April 22

8. Flinders will need luck and a good ride from the outside gate but he proved last start over this course he’s right up to it. Had to work overtime after being caught wide and was left a sitting shot so no disgrace to be run down.

Dangers: 4. Mocambo is closing in on a win and chased hard second-up behind All Time Legend at Warwick Farm, running him to less than half a length. First try at this trip but has a nice soft gate and in-form jockey. Definite chance. 7. Stellar Impact might hold the key to the race. Unbeaten in Australia and won first-up over a similar trip at Newcastle in August. Comes off a decent break so that could be a query but trialled twice and if the support is there she might well win. 5. Reward Seeker is flying in the country and worth throwing in. Appreciated a solidly run race when winning the Orange Cup last time.

How to play it: Flinders E/W ($7.50 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: EVENS.

Flinders runs second at Canterbury on April 22

1. Mansa Musa hasn’t raced since January 1 and resumes without a public trial but looks well placed to continue a strong fresh record. Easy winner first-up last prep and was saved from Saturday to run here. Likely leader and take catching.

Dangers: 6. Not Feint Hearted seems to have come up well looking at his trials and hard to miss his efforts early last prep with a heavy track fourth then chasing home Lucicello among his form. Can run well fresh. 12. Ballistica was a drifter in betting first-up and was never in the hunt behind Dirty Work at Kensington. She’s better than that and did trial well prior. Gets back but no surprise to see her improve sharply. 5. Kosciusko fought on well up on the speed first-up and will be fitter. Drawn wide here but chance to get across with just the one designated leader engaged. Each-way.

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

Mansa Musa’s first-up win last prep at Kensington in November

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