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By Ray Hickson

Tips and race by race preview by Ray Hickson for Tuesday’s Big Dance meeting at Royal Randwick. Selections based on a good to soft track.

The only thing stopping the ‘good thing’ tag going onto 5. Territory Express is the fact he, so far, tends to be a backmarker and leaves him open to tempo and pattern getting in the way. But all things being equal he looks very hard to stop coming back in grade. He was eye-catching in a 1400m Midway before stepping out to the mile and rounding up inferior opposition at Newcastle. Then leapt to a 78 and again attacked the line into third behind Pervade. Shapes as though the extra 200m will suit and he’s clearly on top.

Dangers: 8. State Of America has a habit of finding some bad luck in his races, as was the case in a similar event two starts back, though he did seem to have his chance back in class at Gosford last time. A month between runs is no concern and he’s good enough to cause problems in this field. 7. Philipsburg is going better than his form suggests and he was far from disgraced at Kensington last week beaten three lengths. Gets Nash Rawiller on board and some sting out of the track is handy for him. Each-way. 3. Xtrarevz stepped up to this class second-up and ran a solid race for third behind Peace officer over 1400m. Contested the Queensland Derby last season, finishing midfield, so the extra ground will assist.

How to play it: Territory Express WIN ($2.40 TAB Fixed Odds).

Territory Express runs third at Randwick on October 28

2. Emperor was considered a chance to knock over Mogo Magic in a Highway back in July and he had no luck at all so don’t be too hard on his effort there. Given a break and looked outstanding cruising down the outside to a trial win on his home track. Has a much kinder draw than in that last Highway and is back as a gelding here. Should take plenty of beating.

Dangers: 7. Smokeshow could be a big improver having finally drawn a gate where she won’t have to do too much work, unlike her past two runs from wide alleys. Fresh here having not raced since mid-September and on her best she’s a genuine chance. 3. Blow Dart has a handy first-up record and is generally a consistent type so bears some watching here fresh. Comes into this off a trial win at Newcastle and if he happens to find the front he could give some cheek. 9. Limited Reality is fitter for two runs back and was sound on the pace in running second at Scone. Yet to really fire in Highway grade but chance to compete here.

How to play it: Emperor WIN ($2.20 TAB Fixed Odds).

Emperor wins a Murwillumbah trial on October 10

5. Iowna Merc is a short priced favourite and probably deservedly so. Kicked off last prep with successive wins, at 1100m and 1200m, before being a beaten favourite in two subsequent starts including one with genuine excuses. Managed to beat Malkovich in his recent trial so that says he’s come back in great order and while drawn out he has the speed to offset it. The one to beat.

Dangers: 3. Dehorned Unicorn was honest at this sort of level two preps ago but didn’t quite measure up when tested in stronger grade last prep. Didn’t run a bad race in the Listed Ortensia first-up in that prep but then disappointed. No surprise if he bounces back and is to be respected. 4. Quick Tempo has a strong finish on him though does tend to leave it a touch late. Comes here fresh and if you’re able to run on down the outside he can get into the placings. 9. Acapella Sun hasn’t raced since July and was a Highway winner in her last prep. Measured up in 78 grade before a spell against the mares and while drawn out it wouldn’t surprise to see her run well fresh.

How to play it: Iowna Merc WIN ($1.70 TAB Fixed Odds).

Iowna Merc wins a Rosehill trial on October 27

6. Ningaloo Star has been mixing distances of late and getting back to this trip looks to suit. Ran on into a placing behind Salisano two back, that form looks okay now, then back to 1100m and charged at the line late in a Midway. Down in class, drawn well and the 1300m gives her every chance to break through.

Dangers: 10. Soobooco was sent out favourite and seemed to only be hitting his top late when chasing Disneck home at Hawkesbury. Has a consistent record and while not tried at this trip as yet he should be respected. 7. Sly Boots had good support when resuming to win a Super Maiden at Kensington over this trip and this isn’t such a big leap off that. If staying at the same trip is no disadvantage he can be hard to hold out. 13. Metallic Ruler backed up a solid first-up effort to score in a Class 1 at Newcastle on Everest Day. Lightly raced, drawn well and this is only a BM64 so not a huge class rise. Keep in mind.

How to play it: Ningaloo Star E/W ($5.50 TAB Fixed Odds).

Ningaloo Star runs fourth at Randwick on October 28

4. Wicklow has clearly had a targeted preparation for the $3m million feature with three trials and a first-up run over a mile. In that race he drew wide and went a long way back before working home nicely into third behind runaway winner Unspoken, who led. Ran fifth in this race last year near the end of a long campaign. Second-up form is very strong and if he can hold a reasonable position from an inside gate should go close.

Dangers: 3. Attractable won the Coffs Harbour Cup to qualify for this race then resumed with a game effort behind Cepheus in the $1.5m Alan Brown. Trialled since then, will race right up on the speed and can be tough to get past. 1. Cepheus has the 62kg to contend with and would like the track to firm up just a little bit more. Won the Alan Brown and did carry this weight to win the South Grafton Cup earlier in the year. Nash rides from a good gate and has to be respected. 14. Super Helpful is not without a good each-way hope. Won a BM78 at Rosehill two back then sound in the Five Diamonds Prelude beaten 2.3 lengths. 8. Iknowastar, 12. King Of The Castle and 13. Wategos are all worth considering.

How to play it: Wicklow WIN ($5.00 TAB Fixed Odds).

Wicklow runs third at Randwick on October 21

If we’re dealing with a track that allows horses to run on then 9. I’ve Bean Tryin’ looks very well placed to be right in the finish. He did an enormous job to get as close as he did when fifth in The Kosciuszko which was dominated on speed by Front Page. Charged into third in the Country Championships Final and has a win over Attractable in his form. Go well.

Dangers: 4. Cavalier Charles also comes through The Kosciuszko where he drew wide and ran fourth to match his finishing position in that race from a year ago. Ran second in this race last year and is a big chance to go one better. 15. Bandi’s Boy is the up and comer of the field coming out of an impressive Highway win just over a week ago. Shapes as though the extra 100m will suit, he drops in weight and draws well. Could measure up. 7. Body Bob is a brave front-runner who won four straight before being run down late by Sequestered in a BM78 over 1400m on Everest Day. Will look to lead them again and if he gets his own way he will take plenty of running down.

How to play it: I’ve Bean Tryin’ E/W ($4.80 TAB Fixed Odds).

I’ve Bean Tryin’s run in the Kosciuszko on October 14

12. Irish Kisses has appreciated the step up to a mile in her last two starts for a win at Warwick Farm and a solid second in the Coonamble Cup. Now she’s in form and down on the limit she’s an each-way chance at least here.

Dangers: 2. Cotehele went very close in the Alan Brown first-up then disappointed in the Five Diamonds Prelude when favourite. He’s better than that and is well worth another chance with Nash Rawiller going on board. Big weight a query but on his form around Cepheus he’s entitled to respect. 3. Spangler gets back and runs on and if things pan out his way he’s capable of being in the finish. Ran on without threatening from well back in the Wild Card to run fifth and is always a chance. 15. Eastern Glow beat Hollywood Hero four starts back and chased home Iknowastar in the Dubbo Cup so he has the form to be competitive here. Stable won this race last year and his best is good enough to be a contender.

How to play it: Irish Kisses E/W ($18 TAB Fixed Odds).

Irish Kisses runs second in the Coonamble Cup

11. Dashing Legend was excellent winning in lesser grade with a big weight first-up. She’s not foreign to this sort of class having taken on a string of Group races as a three-year-old performing well against the likes of Opal Ridge, Magic Time and Aft Cabin. Huge drop in weight and has the extra fitness on her side and a great racing pattern. Hard to beat.

Dangers: 9. Insurrection should be a stumbling block and it comes down to how much pressure he has to absorb first-up. He’s no stranger to a wide gate from this starting point having won his past three under those circumstances. Definite chance. 3. Rocketing By rarely finishes too far from the placings but it’s been a while since he filled one. Game effort in the Sydney Stakes running sixth and if there’s an upset he’s a likely candidate. 10. Recommendation won as an odds-on favourite at Moonee Valley then drifted in betting when midfield behind Airman here five weeks ago. Drawn better here and could rebound.

How to play it: Dashing Legend WIN ($2.80 TAB Fixed Odds).

Dashing Legend wins at Randwick on October 21

6. Loch Eagle is the horse to beat here having not squeezed into the Little Dance field. He was excellent in the Wild Card off a month’s break and it was a timely return to form for him. Yet to win at Randwick but only missed a place once in five starts, up in weight but down in class and has Nash to offset the extra impost. Hard to beat.

Dangers: 11. Rogue Bear also comes through the Wild Card and he wasn’t disgraced at all warming up late to be beaten 3.6 lengths. He’s an honest type and this is a good opportunity for him back in class. 5. Frumos is a touch enigmatic but a bit of sting out of the track is a plus for her and she’s back in class on her two runs back this time in. She’s a take on trust proposition who could win without surprising at all. 1. Aramayo drew 17 and was always up against it in the Wild Card so he didn’t do a bad job to finish midfield there. Has the big weight to lump but a much softer draw and on his best he’s capable of showing up. 12. Deficit may need the run but he’s resuming near his comfort zone and fitter for a couple of recent trials. Form last prep wasn’t as bad as it looks on paper and he’s not out of it.

How to play it: Loch Eagle WIN ($2.40 TAB Fixed Odds).

Loch Eagle runs third at Randwick on October 21

7. Ka Bling tried his heart out to run down Much Much better here third-up and got within half a length. Should be at his peak and there’s a chance he might get control of this race which seems to lack a bit of tempo. If that’s the case he’s bursting win one and would have a big chance to break through.

Dangers: 6. Dynamic Impact finished third in the same race almost two lengths behind Ka Bling but he did find the line strongly from a bit further back. He’s put two good runs together now and has a small weight turnaround to say he’s a threat. 8. Dalaalaat drops 2kg on his even effort in a BM78 behind Marnix. His chances come down to speed and pattern and if it works out in his favour he can run into the finish. 1. Waihaha Falls would take some beating on his best form and it’ll be interesting to see if he attracts support with the big weight, though the spread of weights isn’t so severe after the claim. More than capable if anywhere near his best.

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

Ka Bling runs second at Randwick on October 21

All the fields, form and replays for the Big Dance meeting at Randwick on Tuesday