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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 soft track.

14. Brigantine raced without a great deal of luck in his first campaign and not prepared to knock him on either. Two trials back have been very encouraging and while drawn a little sticky if he gets the right run he should be hard to beat.

Dangers: 9. Governor is another very well bred colt and he’s on debut after a trial win at Canterbury a few weeks ago on a very heavy track. He didn’t look super comfortable there so a soft track will be in his favour. Respect. 11. Retiro is an interesting runner. He hasn’t raced since finishing sixth in the Breeders’ Plate back in October and he pulled up shinsore so that adds some merit. He’s also trialling very nicely and wouldn’t shock if he shows up. 5. Devil’s Throat won his latest trial at Canterbury, Retiro finished third in it, and he also has a nice pedigree behind him. Drawn well and sure to get his chance.

How to play it: Brigantine WIN ($2.80 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Brigantine wins a trial at Canterbury on July 2

11. Sneaky Paige started a well supported favourite on debut at Warwick Farm and chased hard behind Sky Command, who has since won again, with a gap to third. Better for that and no reason why she couldn’t go one better.

Dangers: 3. Great Mystery could be a good roughie on debut, there was plenty to like about her latest trial where she wasn’t tested at all yet beaten under a length. Probably needs a bit of luck from the wide gate but worth throwing in. 5. Laurelin trialled superbly before her debut where she started $2.90 and performed only fairly being well beaten by Four Moves Ahead. She has again trialled very well, soft track looks more to her liking, and she could be a sharp improver. 1. Beep Test gave away a big start and kept coming on debut at Gosford in a close second on a heavy track. May have to go back again here but fitter and is open to improvement.

How to play it: Sneaky Paige E/W ($5.50 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Sneaky Paige runs second at Warwick Farm on June 30

3. My Demetra should improve with the extra trip after a solid first-up effort at this track over 1300m. She had a nice run and let down well to be close up. Generally a consistent mare and this is a winnable race for her.

Dangers: 6. Canadian Spice blew the start and her chances last time at Randwick but her effort to run fourth was full of merit. Expect if she steps away with them she’ll roll forward here, as was the intent last time, and she’s racing well enough to be in the finish. 4. Perfect Radiance is now with the Waterhouse/Bott yard and had two easy trials since a failure here back in May. Watch betting, she’s good enough if she can find her best form. 9. Raccolto is coming off a maiden win but it was an impressive one at Newcastle, backing up a handy effort behind Promise Of Success. Up in grade but worth including in the chances.

How to play it: My Demetra E/W ($5.50 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

My Demetra runs fourth at Kensington on July 3

7. Kinloch is on trial at the 1300m but if he’s as effective as over shorter trips he’ll take holding out. Dominant here two starts ago then up in class at Rosehill and he finished off hard in a good form race. Likes this track and is the one to beat.

Dangers: 8. Hot Spring Gold hit the lead here last start and momentarily looked the winner but may have bumped into a slightly more progressive one on the day. Has a solid finish on him and is sure to be competitive. 3. Off Shaw is very close to a win after being narrowly beaten second-up by Matowatakpe. The only negative is that all his good form is on heavy tracks so the ground is vital to his chances. 5. Ranges is one of those horses who rarely runs a bad one and he was strong again late here at 1150m last start. Last win was at 1280m so expect him to be around the mark.

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

Kinloch wins at Kensington on June 16

6. Picaro has been solid in two runs back from a spell over shorter trips and is ready for the step up here. Likes this track, soft ground suits and while his pattern requires some luck he’s a good each-way chance. Read trainer Gary Portelli's comments here.

Dangers: 3. Shuffle Up is another closing in on a win and he improved nicely third-up into a placing over 1550m at this track. Where he gets to from the wide gate is a question mark but with even luck is in the finish. 4. Mr Gee broke through with a narrow but strong win at Canterbury with some handy form coming out of the race since. Expect him to hold his form and run well again. 10. Peekays Legacy won a couple of provincial races including one at the 1800m before an even effort on a heavy track at Warwick Farm as favourite in a wide race. Has a case again.

How to play it: Picaro E/W ($8.00 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Picaro runs fourth at Warwick Farm on June 30

4. Yukon raced on the pace second-up at 1400m here and boxed on for second but no match for Bring The Ransom. Will be up there again and a good chance to go one better if he keeps it up.

Dangers: 5. Kutayha doesn’t win out of turn but is often around the money. Freshened up since his last start a month ago over 2000m where he ran into third in a BM78. Can’t be left out. 6. Nelspruit showed a lot of fight to lead all the way at Kembla third-up despite being a drifter in betting. At peak and could give a sight. 1. Chains Of Honour didn't seem to come up last time in and has no public trials late so is an interesting runner. Betting a guide but if he struck his best he could surprise.

How to play it: Yukon WIN ($3.00 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Yukon runs second at Kensington on July 7

3. Irish Angel has come back in very good form with a dominant first-up win then a strong second against the pattern at Rosehill. Has been scratched a couple of times lately but suited here and should be hard to hold off.

Dangers: 10. Escape Artist won well at this track and trip first-up and has had excuses for last two unplaced runs, though the latest wasn’t a bad effort. More than capable of taking this out. 11. Jenga looked smart leading all the way on debut then spelled after a disappointing effort at Canterbury where she appeared to have her chance. Given an easy trial and the market will be a good pointer. 1. Accelerato has been very much hit and miss this time in but did win under these conditions two starts ago, with 2kg more. Drawn well and is worth another chance.

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

Irish Angel runs second at Rosehill on June 19

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