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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.

2. No Question has had to do a lot of work in his races so far so drawing well in a small field, up in distance and blinkers on should see him produce his best run this time in. Just missed at Newcastle coming from near last in his latest attempt. Hard to beat.

Dangers: 6. Tycoon Hallie was 1200m up to a mile at her second start and it wasn’t really run to suit her coming from the back even though it was only a seven horse field. Expecting her to be in the finish. 1. Rapids backs up from a battling third over 1400m here last week. Did place on a soft 7 first-up and has to be considered in the small field. 4. Apollate led them up and had his chance in front when second at Gosford, the same race as Tycoon Hallie. That was his best performance, blinkers coming off is interesting. In the mix.

How to play it: No Question WIN ($3.20 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: EVENS.

No Question runs second at Newcastle on February 27

8. Sing A Love Song has been crying out for this sort of trip and gets it plus a big drop in class on his recent runs. Placed to Remarque and Zethus in January and hit the line well in the Skyline controlled by the winner at Randwick. Gets his chance to break through. Read trainer John O'Shea's comments here.

Dangers: 3. Coastwatch is an interesting runner resuming. He had no luck at his second start then had cardiac arrhythmia when running last at Randwick back in December. He’s had some nice quiet trials, draws well and James McDonald knows him well. Keep safe. 10. Chill started $101 in the Reisling on debut and didn’t do a bad job to be beaten 2.8 lengths. Draws wide again but if she can run up to that performance she has a case. 7. Oblique seemed to have his chance at Kembla first-up so it’s a bit puzzling why he’s favourite in what looks a stronger race. If he’s a wet tracker or is looking for the 1400m he could feature but on face value he’s a place chance.

How to play it: Sing A Love Song WIN ($3.60 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Sing A Love Song runs fourth at Randwick on February 27

3. Double Ex was game in defeat on debut at Gosford last month where he probably went a little hard in the early stages, opening up a break, but when challenged he fought. Drawn soft this time so may not need to be fired out and if he gets his own way he’ll go close.

Dangers: 8. Zain’s Girl was a beaten favourite on resuming at Wyong where it appeared she had her chance. Fitter for that, a win isn’t far away for her and this is a very winnable race. Has to be respected. 1. Caesars Palace was placed at Hawkesbury in September in what was his best effort in four starts. There was something to like about his latest trial, despite being beaten nine lengths, he’s gelded and he could be an improver. 5. Lucky To Win has been a little disappointing since a promising debut but he certainly wasn’t asked for anything in his trial ahead of this first-up run. Wouldn’t shock to see some improvement from him.

How to play it: Double Ex WIN ($2.30 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Double Ex runs third at Gosford on February 24

Dangers: 1. Mr Mosaic is a big market watch first-up without a public trial, which is a common thing for the stable. He did trial prior to an impressive win fresh last time in and he also won on debut so is proven fresh.

2. Shadow Crush is a very consistent performer who was narrowly beaten over this course before a break on a soft track. His trial was solid and he can be expected to run his usual honest race. 6. Ghostly is a proven fresh performer fitter for two trials. Handles all ground but hasn’t won for a while and that’s the major concern. Each-way. 9. Absolute Legend is lightly raced and yet to finish worse than fourth. Up in class here on his first-up second at Kembla but has that upside so worth keeping in mind.

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

Mr Mosaic's first-up win last prep at Warwick Farm in September

Have to give 7. Flexible another chance. She had no hope at Gosford last time the way the race was run and the track pattern so forget she went around. Super impressive winning on a soft track here prior to that and 1800m should be no issue. Capable of bouncing back.

Dangers: 2. Dalmatia Prince has put two good runs together at 1900m recently and he usually holds his form. Only beaten in the shadows last time, drawn well and nicely in with the claim again. Has to be an each-way show. 9. French Bonnet made hard work of it but she was strong late when scoring over 1400m at Newcastle after an uncharacteristic failure at Warwick Farm. Yet to see worse than a soft 5 but other than that hard to fault. 5. Joigny has placed in all three starts here including once at this trip. Freshened up since placing in the Quirindi Cup and has trialled since. Find them hard to win but rarely far away.

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

Flexible wins at Kensington on February 3

8. Amitto didn’t come up in two runs last time in but she was showing good ability prior to that. She improved nicely into her second trial at Kembla, handles a wet track and generally runs well fresh. Trip suits here first-up and appeals each-way at least.

Dangers: 3. Petronius has this habit of finding one or two better but he is never beaten too far. Form around his first-up third at Warwick Farm has been sound so far, he’ll go forward and give a good sight. 4. Relucent doesn’t win out of turn but he’s a regular placegetter and capable of running well fresh. Latest trial was good, he’ll improve on whatever he does but he’s a chance in a wide open race. 7. Epic Dan has to go in with the soft 7 track, he's rarely away from the finish in these conditions and he has placed a couple of times at 1400m.

How to play it: Amitto E/W ($6.00 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Amitto runs second in a trial at Kembla on March 9

10. Signora Nera makes her debut for Chris Waller with some handy NZ form behind her. Judging her on her only trial for the new stable where she warmed up nicely late at the end of 1050m to be a close fourth to Kementari. Distance looks fine fresh and any support should be noted.

Dangers: 7. Black Duke wasn’t suited to leading in the Canberra Guineas so prepared to forgive that. Hit the line well prior at Canterbury in a good form race and with even luck in running he can be a player. 13. Dundee Lee backs up after a handy enough third last week on a good track but hard not to focus more on her seven length win at Newcastle, granted in easier company, on a soft 7. Stays in the mix. 11. Solar Apex is a nice horse resuming and he should be in for his best prep. Heavy track winner to break his maiden then game at Flemington before a break. No real pointer in his trial, he should run well fresh at this trip though.

How to play it: Signora Nera E/W ($7.00 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Signora Nera runs fourth in a trial at Randwick on March 11

12. All Hallows’ Eve produced a big run fresh in the wet then bolted in at Newcastle a couple of weeks ago. She’s a promising filly, not sure the barrier is an issue come this race unless a pattern has emerged, who looks capable of going onto better races. Big chance.

Dangers: 9. Either Oar wasn’t disgraced in a Group 3 at Flemington before a spell and she posted a couple of nice wins prior to that including one over Art Cadeau which reads well now. Not asked for anything in her trial and she bears close watching. 3. Najmah started $1.50 first-up at Canterbury and was outpointed by Lunar Tramp late. Fitter for that, she’s won her previous two starts in good style and is entitled to another chance. 14. Orpheum had no luck two runs ago then had good support when disappointing here last week. Could pick off one of these races without surprising so she's in the mix.

How to play it: All Hallows’ Eve WIN ($4.20 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

All Hallows’ Eve wins at Newcastle on February 27

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