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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.

4. Mountain Guest has hit the ground running this prep knocking over a maiden and Class 1 in good style out of town. Placed at Group level in the autumn and proven out to this sort of trip, draws well and capable of going on with it.

Dangers: 7. Sir Bailey is threatening to do something if a race pans out the right way for him. Found himself too far back and in traffic last time at Canterbury and ran on when it was all over. May concede a start again but have to respect. 3. Monfelicity is racing well and just failed to pick up Elettrica in a Midway over this trip at Rosehill third-up. Should hold her form. 2. Dr Evil comes through the same race and he ran on without threatening from the back to finish fifth. Better set up for him in the smaller field and he could bounce back.

How to play it: Mountain Guest WIN ($4.20 TAB Fixed Odds).

Mountain Guest wins at Newcastle on August 19

7. Rock Empire has an outside gate to offset on debut but you’d imagine he’ll want the front so he could make easy work of it. Too slick in his latest trial over 1050m and if he runs up to that and gets any early luck he’ll be hard to run down.

Dangers: 2. Matusalem showed promise in his first preparation which included a narrow first-up defeat and he seems to be trialling well leading into this return. Soft draw could be an assistance and he bears close watching. 9. Suspect debuted with a handy third behind Les Vampires and Encap, which looks strong form, and wasn’t disgraced over this course when fourth two weeks ago. Blinkers go on so he stays under notice. 11. Evelyn May started favourite at Kembla back in May and bumped into King Colorado when running second. That’s obviously handy form and she’s drawn nicely. If it’s not too sharp for her fresh she’s a threat.

How to play it: Rock Empire WIN ($4.40 TAB Fixed Odds).

Rock Empire wins a Randwick trial on August 15

8. Captain Amelia is a talented filly who resumed with an excellent performance to pick them up from last at Gosford over 1200m. Better for that and the extra trip is in her favour. If she can make some use of the inside gate up in trip she’ll take holding off.

Dangers: Stablemate 11. Orzala missed what looked a winnable race last week when rain intervened so she’s here after an eye-catching first-up second at Newcastle almost a month ago. Will appreciate the trip and has to be a good chance. 13. Tropical Squall ran right up to some good trials with a runaway debut win at Canterbury back in June. Trials not quite as appealing this time around but draws to be right on speed and is a definite chance. 5. Coriolis seemed to have her chance off a month's break when fourth behind Tashi at Canterbury. Ran on but didn't dash there. Perhaps the 1400m will suit and she's worth another look.

How to play it: Captain Amelia WIN ($4.20 TAB Fixed Odds).

Captain Amelia wins at Gosford on August 24

8. Silvanito just has to run out the trip strongly to be hard to beat here. Enjoyed a nice run third-up and was able to dash away and keep Orzala at bay late at Newcastle at 1200m. Sure to get a soft run from gate one and has strong claims.

Dangers: 12. Atlantic Ocean has been well supported in his past couple for a close second here then last time just a fair effort at Canterbury. Only win came at this trip and drawn to get some favours so wouldn’t surprise if he lifts sharply. 4. Capital Asset hasn’t been far away in two runs back and while he’d probably prefer a wetter track he might just need the breaks at the right time to be a factor. Definitely should have finished closer last time. Keep in mind. 10. River Snitty did enough to win first-up at Hawkesbury a few weeks ago and can only be fitter for it. Draws okay and has JMac again so she could be up to the task.

How to play it: Silvanito WIN ($3.30 TAB Fixed Odds).

Silvanito wins at Newcastle on August 10

3. Dressel has been improving with racing and was close up in what could be a strong maiden from Kembla three weeks ago behind Agita. Draws okay and has some tactical speed so in a wide open race looks a good chance.

Dangers: 5. Princess Rayaa has had a few chances of late and has just fallen short. Might respond to what probably will have to be a cold ride from a wide gate. Hasn’t been far away at all and wouldn’t overlook her. 1. Kapakiri was runner-up in the same race as Port Lockroy and it was his third run back but first for two months. Threatening to win one and he is a definite chance. 2. Avonview is lightly raced and was 1300m up to a mile when a solid second at Gosford with a decent gap to third. Should enjoy an easy run here and is an each-way chance.

How to play it: Dressel E/W ($12 TAB Fixed Odds).

Dressel runs third at Newcastle on August 19

5. Lavish Empire is having his first run for the Snowdens and based on his recent trial at Hawkesbury he appears to be going nicely. Was a winner off a wide gate at Warwick Farm before a spell and has always promised a bit. Expect him to run well fresh.

Dangers: 8. Sister Moon didn’t look suited first-up on the polytrack at Canberra so prepared to overlook that performance when a solid favourite. Won her first four in good style including quite a strong Highway and she can do better. 9. Famous Pedrille is a consistent type who did a good job to win first-up at Gosford last time in before a string of fourths at this level. Recent trial was nice and he’s drawn kindly. Good each-way hope. 6. Silentsar led all the way to an upset win at Canterbury first-up about six weeks ago. Down 2kg here and if he can repeat that sort of performance he’s in the mix again.

How to play it: Lavish Empire WIN ($4.60 TAB Fixed Odds).

Lavish Empire’s trial at Hawkesbury on August 21

8. Sovereign Fund is back as a gelding and has found a nice race to kick off in if the gear change has done the trick. Won his first two starts impressively then didn’t fire in good class in four subsequent runs. Trialled well and chance to get back on track.

Dangers: 6. Markwell Dreamer is racing consistently as usual and measured up to this class with a slightly unlucky second here two weeks ago. If he can hold that form then he’s a good chance again. 2. Sebonack has been a bit hit and miss but if he could repeat the effort from his third to Remarque and Dragonstone from back in February he’d be hard to beat here. 10. Millybella has been around the mark without winning and she ran on well into third at Warwick Farm a month ago. Likely gets back and hits the line again.

How to play it: Sovereign Fund WIN ($3.20 TAB Fixed Odds).

Sovereign Fund wins a trial at Hawkesbury on August 21

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