By Ray Hickson
Tips and race by race preview by Ray Hickson for Wednesday’s Kensington meeting at Randwick. Selections based on a soft track.
Race 1 – 12:50PM HYLAND RACE COLOURS PLATE (1100 METRES) |
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10. Raison D’Etre stepped away a shade slowly on debut and probably cost her a win. She hit the line strongly late, running a race best 11.12 last 200m (Punter's Intelligence), to go down by a length in an otherwise eye-catching effort. She was well supported there and expecting her to be popular again. Chance to go one better.
Dangers: 11. Selburose should be a big improver on her first outing at Rosehill on that very heavy track. She didn’t let go and just battled away but given how well she trialled leading in she’s well worth another chance on a better surface. 13. Xylaroo has the blinkers first time and she wasn’t disgraced in the same race as Raison D’Etre working home without threatening into fifth. Each-way claims. 8. Panna Cotta was in the market at her only start at Newcastle in the Max Lees Classic and seemed to be outsprinted. Two trial wins this time in and she could also be an improver.
How to play it: Raison D’Etre WIN ($1.65 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Raison D’Etre runs second at Warwick Farm on March 25
Race 2 – 1.25PM SKY RACING ACTIVE PLATE (1100 METRES) |
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9. Overlord is a nicely bred son of former topliner Red Tracer and his recent trials on wet tracks have been more than handy ridden conservatively both times. Wide open race but he looks set up to run well on debut. Any support would be encouraging.
Dangers: 8. Ocean Emperor looks a professional type on what he’s shown in his trials and from barrier one he’s sure to be put straight into the race. No surprise to see him give a big sight. 4. El Buena debuted on a heavy track at Rosehill and it wasn’t a bad effort in running sixth in conditions that made it tough going. He didn’t give it up and a firmer surface is in his favour. Expect him to improve. 13. Vital Verse is another of the Chris Waller first starters and he also showed a bit without really standing out which is somewhat typical for the stable. So, again, he could easily show up.
How to play it: Overlord E/W ($5.50 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Overlord runs fifth in a Rosehill trial on April 6
Race 3 – 2:00PM PRESS STATEMENT @ VINERY HANDICAP (1800 METRES) |
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D-Day here for 1. Costello who is racing well but just lacks that killer punch and he might find it in a very winnable race with blinkers on first time. Ridden out of his comfort zone last start but still held on well and has trialled strongly since. Good chance to break through. Read trainer David Payne's comments here.
Dangers: 7. Night Witches is the up and comer of the field and she’s been impressive in her two wins at Newcastle in the past couple of months. Drawn nicely, has a strong finish and no weight so be surprised if she doesn’t run well. 2. New Arrangement could easily lift on a better surface after an even effort second-up at Warwick Farm where he stuck on well in midfield. Down in class, drawn well and has his chance to fire. 3. Welsh Legend has plenty of convictions but she has been around the mark of late. Found the line well after giving away a huge start at Rosehill a month ago and has bumped into the likes of Mugatoo and Positive Peace recently. One win from 17 is the worry.
How to play it: Costello WIN ($2.80 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS.
Costello wins a trial at Rosehill on April 6
Race 4 – 2:35PM RANVET HANDICAP (1400 METRES) |
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Staying with 1. My Demetra who is fitter for two runs back from a spell where she has hit the line pretty well. No match for a promising one last week but goes to 1400m on the back up from a perfect draw. There’s plenty to like about her.
Dangers: 3. Bubbles Ball struck some trouble in the Provincial Qualifier at Newcastle last start but picked herself up to run a solid fifth there. Rarely runs a bad race and with a bit of luck from the tricky gate can be right in the finish. 4. Got Your Six was far too good for a handy enough field at Muswellbrook third-up and she’s right at her top here. Drawn the outside so expect her to push forward onto the pace where she’ll be tough to get past. 6. Seles hasn’t won for a while now but three straight placings has her in the mix again and keep an eye on 2. Wild About Her first-up, she’s trialling as though a cheeky fresh run is coming.
How to play it: My Demetra WIN ($2.70 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS.
My Demetra runs third at Warwick Farm on April 8
Race 5 – 3:10PM VALE MIGHT AND POWER HANDICAP (1550 METRES) |
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9. Foxborough will likely get back a bit and need the race run to suit but she’s racing in super form this time in. Fought hard at Warwick Farm last week of a month between runs and the firmer footing suits her, she looks well placed to be right in the finish.
Dangers: 5. Angel Of Heaven ran well in four starts last time in without winning and is effective when fresh. Showed improvement into her second trial and she’s sure to be competitive just needs that breakthrough win. 6. Agassi isn’t going quite as well as he was last prep but there’s been merit in his past couple. Beaten two lengths at Warwick Farm last week and drops in class into this on a better surface and he’s won over this course. Keep in mind. 7. Lord Gododdin could produce a nice first-up effort here. Not taking any notice of his latest trial on the synthetic but this trip suits fresh and just a bit of sting out is ideal.
How to play it: Foxborough WIN ($4.40 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS.
Foxborough runs third at Warwick Farm on April 8
Race 6 – 3:45PM SCHWEPPES HANDICAP (1100 METRES) |
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1. Super Ex should be close to his top now after two runs back from a long break and hard to knock the form around his second-up third over this course last month. Hit the lead only to be run down by Indy Car late. Every chance from the inside barrier.
Dangers: 2. Isorich is on the quick back up after an eye-catching effort over 900m at Newcastle on Saturday. That’s way too short for him but he hadn’t raced for six weeks so obviously needed it. Drawn to be prominent and while it’s start 113 he’s still racing honestly. 3. Mossman Gorge found himself back in the ruck and was only getting warm late over the 900m at Albury last time. Expect him to be more prominent here and his best has him somewhere in the finish. 5. Kosciusko is an on pacer drawn wide so he will go forward and if he finds a spot is capable of running well fresh. Solid trial winner a couple of weeks ago and has an each-way chance.
How to play it: Super Ex WIN ($2.30 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Super Ex runs third at Kensington on March 18
Race 7 – 4:20PM DARLEY STALLIONS HANDICAP (1400 METRES) |
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12. Moreno raced well early last prep before mixing his form. Had a quiet trial at Rosehill last week and couldn’t knock him on it. Wouldn’t surprise to see him perform well fresh.
Dangers: 6. Jetski has missed a run or two through abandonments so kept ticking over with a Hawkesbury trial last week. Smart win when resuming and will be hitting the line strongly as usual. 1. Juventus hasn’t had the best of luck in the Provincial Qualifiers of late but more than capable of bouncing back on his best form. Drawn to get a nice run in the first half and is entitled to another chance. 3. Regal Stage showed plenty of fight to win first-up at 1100m and will be even better suited up in trip. Chance to land right on the pace and he's in the mix.
How to play it: Moreno E/W ($9.50 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: EVENS.
Moreno runs fourth in a Rosehill trial on April 6
Race 8 – 4:55PM TAB HANDICAP (1100 METRES) |
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8. Ballistica is a backmarker so relies on tempo and luck but she’ll be running a nice race fresh looking at her recent trial in a good quality heat. Managed a win first-up last prep and a drying track is in her favour. Go well.
Dangers: 4. Dirty Work was too bad to be true in the Darby Munro where he dropped out after racing handy. Previous efforts were good and last time over this course he won easily in a strong maiden. Can lift. 2. Cardiff has drawn to get all the favours up on the speed and he’s right back in class from his last couple in stakes company. Two trial wins have him ready and he’s sure to be a major player. 7. Satin Socks failed in Group company in Melbourne before a spell but she’d raced honestly prior to that including an easy Canterbury win albeit on a front runner’s track. Drawn to get her chance and well worth thought.
How to play it: Ballistica E/W ($9.50 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: EVENS.
Ballistica runs second in a trial at Hawkesbury on March 23
All the fields, form and replays for Wednesday’s Kensington meeting at Randwick