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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.

4. Ain’t He Grand was a little disappointing on face value on debut having his chance at Kembla, sitting on speed and battling on for fourth. Blinkers go on and had a 1200m trial leading in with the shades on. Well worth another chance.

Dangers: 2. Emancipist ran up to good support with a close second at Kembla at his second starts, the same race as Ain’t He Grands’s debut, then fair effort on pace to run fourth over the same course. Gate one again here a plus and is the logical danger. 5. Ignacio started favourite at his debut at Kembla in a 1200m maiden and may have found it a bit sharp as he made some ground into fourth. Extra trip likely a plus for him and is open to improvement. 1. Nyika was close up when resuming at Kembla in a 1400m maiden and will relish some more ground. On debut ran second over this course on a heavy track so worth keeping in mind.

How to play it: Ain’t He Grand WIN ($3.00 TAB Fixed Odds) Odds & Evens: EVENS.

Ain’t He Grand runs second in a trial at Warwick Farm on August 29

1. Silvanito arguably should have won first-up at Kensington two weeks ago in a race with a few hard luck stories. Heavy track shouldn’t be an issue and given the finish he showed fresh he’ll be hard to hold out with a clear shot.

Dangers: 8. Orzala is a very well bred filly on debut for the O’Shea-McDonald combination and is a big threat on what she’s shown in her two trials leading in. Half-sister to Carif and dam was a G1 winner at 1600m and 2000m. 2. Kote comes through the same race as Silvanito and he didn’t have the best of luck in running eighth. Was a late scratching from Kembla last Saturday. Adds some interest. 7. Lamorlaye has been solid in two runs for a third and a fourth after getting well back in both. Imagine she drifts back again but if she can hold a closer spot from an inside gate she could figure prominently.

How to play it: Silvanito WIN ($2.20 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Silvanito runs second at Kensington on August 24

Things look to have fallen into place for 5. Twilight Affair to repeat her all the way win from this course back on August 17. Run down by the smart Roots last week at Warwick Farm and will be the one they have to catch.

Dangers: 3. Ruby Kisses has been in the finish at her last three starts at Canterbury and has a handy weight turnaround on Twilight Affair for their clash last month. Just under two lengths between them so she’ll have her chance to turn the tables. 1. Impulse Control will be fitter for the one run back here over 1100m though she was a bit weak in the last 200m. Loves the wet and races on the pace so capable of improvement. 7. Rocklily had some specking in the market first-up at Kensington but was always well back and didn’t come into the race at all. Fitter and if the pattern allows she can be running on.

How to play it: Twilight Affair WIN ($1.70 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Twilight Affair wins at Canterbury on August 17

1. Brown Thomas has found form of late and while he’s giving away weight to his rivals he has a decent set up to run well again. Competent in heavy ground and has a win over 2200m last start against his name. Drawn to have every chance.

Dangers: 8. Sanstoc is an up and comer who improved quickly second-up to score narrowly at Wyong over a mile. Bred to appreciate the extra ground and is worth plenty of respect. 5. Strelitzia brings a consistent country record to town and beat a subsequent Midway winner when scoring first-up at Tamworth a month ago. Finds James McDonald and wouldn’t surprise if she measures up. 6. Bastida has proven to be a good wet tracker and fitter for one run back at Scone over 1600m where he held his ground okay. Distance and heavy track bring him right into the mix.

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

Brown Thomas wins at Doomben on August 20

2. Kelvedon Road is a promising type who overcame a slow start and outside bias to win first-up at Canberra a few weeks ago on a heavy track. Blinkers on and finds a winnable race in town and if he’s in touch on the turn should take holding out. Read trainer Todd Smart's comments here.

Dangers: 5. Turning likely lands in front from the inside alley and should be close to a peak now after two runs back for two thirds. Led last time at Kensington held on okay. 9. Zoffany’s Gaze has yet to finish worse than second in five starts and arrived in time to win first-up on his home track a month ago. Interesting booking of James McDonald to ride and he’s worth considering. 1. Savoury was always well back in the same race as Turning and picked up a couple late when resuming. Fitter for it and any improvement in the track would help his cause. Has won four from seven at this track so stays under notice.

How to play it: Kelvedon Road WIN ($2.70 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Kelvedon Road wins at Canberra on August 19

1. Quality Time was unplaced on a heavy track first-up but that was at 1300m and he improved nicely up to this trip last time out. Drawn to enjoy a similar run not prepared to say a wet track is against him yet. If he backs up that last effort he’s hard to beat.

Dangers: 3. Owen County was never a factor first-up but it might be significant getting back onto a heavy track given both his wins to date have come on that surface. Extra trip suits and while drawn out if they are running on he should be competitive. 10. Bob’s Your Unble has been freshened since lumping 64kg to win at Goulburn on a heavy track in mid-July. Could potentially find the lead here and take running down. 5. Whangaehu was expected to perform here first-up, starting favourite, but was only fair then similar showing at Kensington two weeks ago. Prepared to give him one more chance.

How to play it: Quality Time WIN ($3.90 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Quality Time runs second at Kensington on August 24

4. Fox Fighter will need his share of luck in running but if he gets it this is a very nice race for him. Bumped into Mazu and Zapateo first-up last prep and had a heavy track placing first-up. Always runs well fresh and expecting him to be hard to beat.

Dangers: 5. Delacour would be the likely leader and while she was reeled in by Depth That Varies last time she handles all ground and could give a sight if she does lead them. 1. Shotmaker is the big watch at his first run for Nathan Doyle with a handy trial alongside Rustic Steel. 8. Holy Tycoon wasn't disgraced in the same race, making ground from the back. Honest type who has some claims.

How to play it: Fox Fighter WIN ($3.90 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Fox Fighter runs third in a Rosehill trial on August 23

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