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By Ray Hickson

Tips and race by race preview by Ray Hickson for Wednesday’s Kensington meeting. Selections based on a good track.

5. Mission Ridge looks a different horse this preparation since being gelded, at least based on his trials, and if he is then he’s a good chance. Finished last in both starts earlier this year on wet tracks but two trials would suggest he’s in good order. Possible leader here and could take running down.

Dangers: 7. Crusader Razor is a big watch on debut after one soft trial where he worked to the line in handy fashion behind the placings. Imagine it’ll be an off pace ride from the outside gate and if you can run on then he could be hard to hold out. 8. Immortal Island is another debutant and he improved into his second trial at Rosehill last week. Has the soft gate and claim and any support would be significant. 4. Kapunda looked to have his chance behind Smart Legend at Kembla but was first-up there and a drifter in betting so open to improvement.

How to play it: Mission Ridge WIN ($4.00 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Mission Ridge runs second in a Rosehill trial on June 6

3. Speymalt is a nicely bred filly on debut and she looked up and about in winning her latest trial at Rosehill last week, a big step up on previous trials earlier this year. Drawn nicely and in a wide open race she should run well.

Dangers: 5. Atoine hasn’t raced for over a year with her last appearance in a Hawkesbury maiden won by In Secret! Impressive in winning both her trials, the latest over Mission Ridge who runs in the first, and if she runs up to her trials then she’s right in this. 2. Ravisher has trialled a few times of late and the best of them was her latest when second behind Speymalt. Not sure where she goes from the gate but well worth respecting. 7. Konasana trialled twice in the summer then reappeared for a handy third behind Arctic Glamour, who ran well at Warwick Farm on Monday, in her latest trial. Wouldn’t shock if she shows up.

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

Speymalt wins a Rosehill trial on June 6

6. Strombus was a bit below par last time when well supported in a similar race but has been freshened up and if he can reproduce his previous start, where he accounted for King Of The Castle, at this course then he’ll be right in the finish.

Dangers: 3. Demitasse has come back a better horse this preparation and backed up his first-up Highway placing with a dominant performance at Randwick a few weeks ago also in Highway company. Rises 2.5kg for the step into benchmark level and may be giving away a start. But he’s clearly a big chance. 5. Victory Lane didn’t run up to expectation in a Midway at Rosehill last time but only beaten 2.5 lengths and wasn’t fully tested late. Draw might suit him in the small field and he’s in the mix. 1. Dimaggio should appreciate stepping up in trip and in a smaller field can be more prominent. No surprise to see him give cheek.

How to play it: Strombus WIN ($4.00 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Strombus wins at Kensington on April 25

7. Herself didn’t have much luck at all at big odds when making her local debut at Rosehill, held up for quite a way down the straight before picking up late ground behind Outlandos. Less depth here and has a strong chance on that run.

Dangers: 4. Oz Legend contested the same race as a $12 chance and finished just behind Herself in seventh. He’s a momentum stayer and landing behind the leader he didn’t have the chance to wind up with seven weeks between runs. Fitter for it and can improve sharply. 2. Sky Out is an interesting runner from the Maher/Eustace yard. Beaten favourite in a six horse field at Ballarat a month ago after a placing at $31 at Mornington. Respect the switch of states and leading apprentice booking. 8. California Grass has hit form since she’s stepped up to a staying trip putting solid margins on Class 1 company in her last two wins. Obviously harder here but could measure up.

How to play it: Herself WIN ($5.00 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Herself runs sixth at Rosehill on May 20

8. Principessa is bursting to win a race and rising slightly in trip might be the key. Conceded a big start last time at Canterbury and just missed behind So Good So Cool, who has won again since, and back to fillies and mares grade, if she can get the breaks at the right time, she’ll be hard to beat.

Dangers: 2. Elettrica is fitter for two runs back and showed some improvement last start at Warwick Farm in this grade. Narrowly beaten at this trip in January and should be kept in mind. 10. Allasandra came off a maiden win on a heavy 10 to score easily in a Class 1 on a good track with six weeks between runs at Newcastle. Gets a nice weight cushion after the claim and while in this form has her chance to step up in class and be competitive. 3. Mystic Mermaid is a bit hit and miss and yet to win first-up but is kicking off at 1400m this time around which might suit. Check betting for a push.

How to play it: Principessa WIN ($3.30 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: EVENS.

Principessa runs second at Canterbury on May 24

9. Eagle Nest had a wide run at Warwick Farm but still hit the lead and kicked before being grabbled late by Waikiki a month ago. Solid effort there and in a race of many chances, with good speed, she might find some cover this time and pounce late.

Dangers: 5. Spicy Hotpot showed promise this time last year with her first two starts, didn’t have much luck fresh in October then spelled after taking on a G3 at Flemington. Now with Sara Ryan and has trialled okay. From an inside gate she’s worth keeping safe. 2. Hi Dubai was a dominant debut winner in December then failed in the Gosford Guineas at his only other start. Trialled twice behind Kibou and while he may need to work to get across from a wide gate he can’t be overlooked. 1. Secret Revolution is racing consistently and while he’s coming off a Muswellbrook win he chased down the leader there and was strong on the line. From the inside gate he might get the last shot at them.

How to play it: Eagle Nest E/W ($4.40 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Eagle Nest runs second at Warwick Farm on May 17

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