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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.

Betting a handy guide with the field largely first starters. 1. Alpha One makes his debut for the Snowdens off one trial and he looked to do it quite nicely on the pace. He has to do it on race day now but draws well enough and is one of the main chances.

Dangers: 4. Sha Of Gomer didn’t show a lot in his first two trials but it was a more encouraging performance when he led most of the way and cleared out in a 900m Warwick Farm heat recently. Has James McDonald to ride and if he runs up to that trial he’ll be a force. 11. Deep Expectation gave a big sight when resuming at Randwick almost a month ago, leading until the last 150m and once headed fought on strongly to hold second. Fitter for that and was a bit wayward there so hopefully she improves on that too. Must respect. 9. She's Extreme has had her trials spaced but the latest was clearly the best when second at Randwick last week. No surprise to see her run well.

How to play it: Alpha One E/W ($5.50 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Alpha One wins a trial at Randwick on February 7

4. Stray might have a good set up to run well fresh back to a maiden after three stakes attempts in the spring. Unplaced in both first-up runs to date but they were fourths to Paulele and Profondo and was only beaten a couple of lengths. Ideally drawn, has trialled and chance to show right up.

Dangers: 2. Money From The Sky has shown talent and if he puts it all together on race day he will be a force. Arguably should have won here on debut in August then poor as favourite behind Profondo in that maiden. Again beaten favourite up to a mile before a spell. Pushed a bit in his latest trial but logical danger. 3. Dresden had some support on debut at Wyong and looked the winner before being run down near the line. Fitter for that, drawn a bit awkwardly but well worth including. 9. Taizai finds James McDonald to ride from a soft draw, she's been solid in two runs back for placings at Warwick Farm and Canterbury. Keep in mind.

How to play it: Stray WIN ($2.90 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: EVENS.

Stray runs second in a trial at Randwick on February 7

1. Café Royal shapes as a big improver on a second-up failure in Saturday company where she worked to find the lead then weakened. Back in grade and while drawn out the lead looks hers for the taking and on her first-up effort if that’s the case she’ll go close.

Dangers: 2. Score is a query at her first run for Annabel Neasham and first for six weeks since a second at Caulfield behind a handy type in Open Minded. Fair to say she form is a bit mixed but must keep her safe. 5. Cap Estel was very well supported and the money was spot on second-up when she broke through for a maiden win at this track and distance two weeks ago. May go on with it now and is in the mix. 6. Hope In Your Heart was a drifter in betting but performed quite well fresh running on late into third, not far off second, behind Easy Campese here. Fitter and from a kinder draw may be closer. Has a show.

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

Café Royal runs second at Warwick Farm on January 5

1. Easy Campese might not get it quite so easy in front as he did when scoring a soft win here two weeks ago but he’s still the horse to beat. Doesn’t have to lead but has options from gate one in a small field and an extra 2kg is no issue. Loves this track and should go close. Read jockey Ellen Hennessy's comments here.

Dangers: 2. Narvaez was strongly supported back to Sydney off a big Flemington run but was never in the hunt after not leading as expected and beat a couple home at Rosehill. Back to the trials since then and is worth another chance down in class. 4. Maccomo has been racing well at Canterbury of late and got away with a win three runs back over this trip. Possible leader and has to be considered. 6. Sinba is the up and comer of the race and is up to city grade again after a strong finishing first-up win at Newcastle. Should appreciate the extra distance and must be considered.

How to play it: Easy Campese WIN ($2.70 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Easy Campese wins at Randwick on February 2

3. Galaxy Belle steps up to city company on the back of a dominant second-up win over a mile at Newcastle and there’s no reason she can’t keep on her winning way. All five wins have come at a mile and beyond, and by big margins, and is unbeaten at 1800m. On the up and looks a big chance.

Dangers: 6. Lennon shapes as a danger as he’s now confirmed he has found his best form again. Big winner two runs back at Newcastle then game effort in a Midway when not far off a strong speed throughout. Go well. 1. Yukon will appreciate coming back in class after two runs in BM78s at Randwick. He’s had every chance in both and not been able to convert though not beaten far either time. Last win was this grade, track and distance in August. Must include. 10. Carlisle Bay is racing very well without getting all the breaks. Run down by Lennon three starts back and in the latest got a long way back and ran on without threatening. Wouldn’t surprise to see him handier from gate one and he’s not out of it.

How to play it: Galaxy Belle WIN ($3.10 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Galaxy Belle wins at Newcastle on January 29

9. Laurelin goes on top though don’t love the short price. She’s always had some talent starting right in the market on debut behind Four Moves Ahead before winning impressively off a wide gate here back in July. Is a recent trial winner, drawn one and will have her chance to take the step up in class.

Dangers: 4. Stoical has won twice when fresh and resumes here off two trials. Led by a margin in the latest and was run down by Le Gai Soliel and Overpass so that’s not a bad recommendation. Could fire here fresh again. 7. Way To The Stars just didn’t fire when Sky Command found the lead in front of him at Canterbury and you’d have to mark him disappointing. Dominant in his two other starts so he’s well worth another chance. 2. Duchess has some work to do from a wide gate but she’s fitter for two runs back and with any early luck is capable of giving a sight.

How to play it: Laurelin WIN ($2.00 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Laurelin wins a trial at Randwick on January 24

9. Satirical Glory should run well fresh at a distance he can be effective over. Took a run to hit his straps last prep but has trialled well twice including a win in a 1030m heat a couple of weeks ago. In a race with good likely tempo if he gets a shot from gate one he will be finishing strongly.

Dangers: 4. Major Artie hasn’t won first-up as yet but worth noting last prep he bombed the start when fresh and ran some slick sectionals even though he beat only one home. Drawn well and if he jumps with them will be prominent and should be respected. 6. Cape Breton ran an even race at Listed level at Flemington before a spell. Prior to that his form had been hit or miss. Did win his first two starts though and is now a gelding, with James McDonald to ride. Any market moves likely significant. Has to go in the quaddie at least. 5. Juventus was too bad to be true last start at Rosehill when in the market. Go on solid second to Marnix at Warwick Farm prior and he's an each-way hope despite the barrier.

How to play it: Satirical Glory E/W ($9.00 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Satirical Glory wins a trial at Randwick on January 31

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