Latest News

By Ray Hickson

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

2. Kimochi made an excellent debut back in November and was a little unlucky not to go close when runner-up at Rosehill behind Disneck. She trialled strongly at Kembla recently and has a claim and soft draw to give her every chance. Should run well.

Dangers: 1. Captain Amelia couldn’t have been more impressive winning over 1000m here two weeks ago and everything about her suggests she’ll relish the extra 100m and more. Commands plenty of respect. 9. Oz Empress is a well bred filly from the Waterhouse/Bott stable and she’s done nothing wrong in winning both trials leading into her debut. Stable’s two-year-olds are having a great run of success and no surprise to see her figure prominently. 4. Ballroom Bella is another who has impressed winning two trials and she did it easily a month ago in her latest. Was scratched from a recent engagement which is a query but otherwise keep safe. 3. Achlys and 5. Dipsy Doodle have both shown ability and can show up fresh.

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

Kimochi wins a trial at Kembla Grange on March 6

3. Capital Heart is very close to a win after seconds at his past couple. Excuses when beaten here two weeks ago after a delay at the start which fired him up. He hit the lead but was outgunned late. An easier run in transit should see him hit the line. Good chance.

Dangers: 7. Libertad was a late scratching at the gates a couple of weeks ago and went back to the trials where he ran on well at Rosehill on March 13. Has looked smart in his trials so far and is one to keep a close eye on. 5. Critique is another youngster from the Waterhouse/Bott yard on debut and he’s won a couple of trials leading into this race over the 742m. Imagine he will show some speed and be prominent in the run. 1. Stanislaus broke through for a popular maiden win first-up before trying hard behind Amazonian Lass at Warwick Farm three weeks ago. Won’t be far away again.

How to play it: Capital Heart WIN ($5.00 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Capital Heart runs second at Kensington on March 8

1. Himalaism is now a 12 start maiden but he arguably should have won here two weeks ago when badly held up for runs until it was too late. He did a great job to burst through late and run second. Drawn well and if he can repeat the effort he’s right in it.

Dangers: 4. Ocean Honour showed some promise in his first prep getting back and running on just behind the placings. Expect he may drift back again and be finding the line for something over a bit further next time. 6. Queen Yuna had every chance in the run behind the leader but didn’t quicken when fourth here two weeks ago as favourite. Fitter for it and she’ll again have a soft passage from gate one so can improve.

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

1. Headwall is a promising sprinter and he atoned for an unlucky first-up defeat with a soft win over this trip at Warwick Farm three weeks ago. Stays on 59kg and gives away weight to all rivals but no reason to jump off as he’s more than capable of winning again.

Dangers: 3. Airman is the logical danger and has a 4kg advantage over Headwall. He won here on debut in impressive style over 1150m and has edged out in trip in two runs since then for a win and a fair fourth at Rosehill back in November. Recent trial winner and hard to beat. 4. Shadow Vampire won three straight at 1000m last time in including a BM68 at Warwick Farm. Disappointed before a spell but did pull up lame and his trial behind Lost And Running was sound. He’ll be running on strongly. 2. Crosswinds will find this easier than last time at Flemington in a solid 3yo field but he does meet a couple of slick ones back to 1000m. Still, he’s not to be overlooked.

How to play it: Headwall WIN ($2.60 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Headwall wins at Warwick Farm on March 1

8. Bon Vivant was asked to jump sharply in distance into his last start third at Warwick Farm and he wasn’t disgraced despite being favourite. This trip suits him better and drops 5kg after the claim. Well worth another chance.

Dangers: 3. Biscayne Bay resumed with a nice effort to run second over 1400m at Warwick Farm and will be a lot better suited going up in trip now. Ran fifth in the ATC Oaks last year and while drawn wide should be respected. 4. Silent Agenda can never be left out of the chances though wins can be spaced. Boxed on strongly when beaten half a length at Canterbury a month ago and had a trial last week. Won three from four at this trip and is in the mix. 10. Left Reeling is fitter for two runs back and was close up in a strongly run Midway over a mile at Randwick last time out. Last win was over this course in October and she should be around the mark.

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

Bon Vivant runs third at Warwick Farm on March 1

5. Jupitus should be hard to beat third-up. Nice winner here fresh then way too far back before running on into third over this course two weeks ago. Expecting he’ll hold a slightly closer spot here and if he is within range he’ll be hard to hold out.

Dangers: 6. Pretty Amazing was a bit disappointing in two runs last prep and was rested after a plodding second in a four horse field on a very heavy Canterbury in October. Trials quiet and she’s yet to place first-up but finds JMac and any market move would be significant. 7. Luvoir ran his rivals off their feet to win a Midway over the Randwick mile, backing up a game effort at Rosehill prior to that. Imagine he will look to lead again from the inside and could take catching. 2. Duke Of Buckingham will be much fitter for a first-up run here over 1400m where he sat outside the lead. Gets some weight relief here and while he may need one more he could find himself in the finish.

How to play it: Jupitus E/W ($4.20 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Jupitus runs third at Kensington on March 8

5. Hawaii Five Oh has switch stables to Gai & Adrian since his close second at Newcastle first-up in a good form race. Plenty to like about the way he cruised to win a trial a couple of weeks ago and already shown talent with a stakes placing at his second start. Should take beating.

Dangers: 3. Cool Jakey is hard to fault with two wins from as many starts and he did it easily as favourite at Newcastle last time. Draws wide but has the speed to get across onto the pace and he looks a strong threat. 11. Streep Gossip had no luck at all second-up at Warwick Farm last week and that run should be overlooked completely. Nice fresh effort and the back up no issue after a soft run over the 1400m last week. Definite chance. 2. Atmosphere was stakes placed at this trip in November and resumes after two trials and a gelding operation. Well drawn for an on pacer and has to be respected.

How to play it: Hawaii Five Oh WIN ($3.70 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Hawaii Five Oh wins a Randwick trial on March 7

3. Air To Air is now with Gai & Adrian and is a big watch first-up since running in a Group 3 in September. She can miss the start at times but she worked home well behind Hawaii Five Oh in her latest trial and her best form is good enough to cause trouble here.

Dangers: 5. Camino Real can mix her form but she will be popular here fresh with McDonald to ride. Won on a heavy track first-up last time in but struggled for consistency. Keep in mind. 6. Highly Ambitious resumed with a fast closing second at Canterbury a month ago and has been kept fresh since. Honest mare who has drawn well to get a smother and she could be dangerous late.

How to play it: Air To Air WIN ($6.00 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Air To Air runs second in a Randwick trial on March 7

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