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By Ray Hickson

Tips and race by race preview by Ray Hickson for Saturday’s Randwick meeting. Selections based on a soft to heavy track.

9. Whatever I Say is building a good record this time in and importantly has proven himself on all conditions. Makes a quick jump from his two easy wins at Port Macquarie into Highway grade but is flying and looks to have struck a race with some tempo. From a middle drawn he can settle midfield or better, hopefully, and get his chance to put himself in the finish.

Dangers: 12. Markwell Dreamer won a Highway back in January then ran very well in another over this course won by Testator Silens that proved to be strong form wise. Freshened since an even effort in a Country Championships race at Taree and trialled nicely. Should run well. 1. Mr Hussill would only have to repeat his effort from The Kosciuszko back in October to go close here. Two runs back in the Country Championships series have been okay and this is easier. Worth another chance. 16. Brazen Impact hasn’t raced since a solid fourth behind Shelby Sixtysix in a 1000m Highway almost two months ago. Found it a bit too heavy that day but ran well. Could show up.

How to play it: Whatever I Say E/W ($10 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Whatever I Say win at Port Macquarie on April 4

11. Contributingfactor is going to need a bit of luck but he’s due after he arguably should have won the Provincial-Midway Wild Card at Newcastle. He was excellent behind Never Talk first-up and just wasn’t able to wind up when he wanted to behind Pippali. Hopefully the large field generates some pace and allows runons and if that’s the case he’s a good chance.

Dangers: 15. Mahagoni was the eye-catcher out of a Midway at Rosehill on Golden Slipper Day, making up good ground from last into fifth. Had some support there and the only knock is coming back 100m, against that he’s on the fresh side. Major danger. 3. Divine Breath probably had his chance in a Provincial-Midway heat first-up but boxed on okay. Did win one of these back in November, drawn well and handles the ground. Each-way chance. 6. Strawb was very well supported when she resumed at Muswellbrook and while beaten into second it was a nice return to form first-up from her. She’s more than capable if she can go on with it now.

How to play it: Contributingfactor E/W ($4.00 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Contributingfactor’s last run at Newcastle on March 31

4. Straight Arron looms large over this race though the barrier draw has presented a bit of a curve ball and given his opposition a fighting chance. Sailed home from near last to win the Carbine Club at a mile two weeks ago and the 2000m holds no fears for him. Clearly the horse to beat and it’ll come down to the run he’s afforded.

Dangers: 2. Maurice’s Medad is one of those horses that’s been just behind them in some good races and who could easily improve here. Not disgraced in the Derby last time where he didn’t settle all that well. Drawn to get a soft run. 5. Jalmari chased Straight Arron home last start and he was particularly strong late to grab second. Shapes as though 2000m will be no worries. 9. Field Legend is coming out of easier races and he didn’t do a bad job against older horses at Canterbury last time out. Any improvement in the track would be to his liking and he’d be one to throw in the trifecta.

How to play it: Straight Arron WIN ($1.70 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: EVENS.

Straight Arron wins at Randwick on April 2

There are no certainties in racing but 5. Fireburn would need to have something go wrong not to complete the two-year-old triple crown. She easily accounted for four of her five rivals in her runaway Sires’ win two weeks ago so it’s hard to make a case for them to turn the tables. Can’t see any reason why she doesn’t win, but she’s naturally very short. Read jockey Brenton Avdulla's comments here.

Dangers: 6. She’s Extreme looks set to be second fiddle again, she had a decent break on Fireburn in the Sires’ but ultimately had no answer to the finish. She can run second. 2. Williamsburg is the one coming through the different formline having slogged it out to win the Fernhill last week. That’s traditionally the weaker lead up though Converge did win that race last year and was placed in the Champagne. 1. Let’srollthedice ran on without threatening behind Fireburn but faces a task to beat her unless she doesn’t run out a strong mile which seems unlikely.

How to play it: Fireburn WIN ($1.45 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Fireburn wins at Randwick on April 2

2. Espiona holds the key to this race. She’s been beaten in three runs this time in, each as favourite, but it’d be hard to say she’s run poorly. Gave away too much start in the Surround, running into third, then midfield in the Coolmore Classic. The track condition may be crucial, she’d relish something in the soft range. Right back in class, drawn to effect and this is a big chance for her to get back into the winner’s stall.

Dangers: 5. Party For One is a very promising filly without the profile of an Espiona and she’s going to appreciate getting out to 1400m after a nice effort in the PJ Bell behind Heresy. Would be no surprise if she featured prominently at the finish. 6. Comrade Rosa was about half a length behind her in the PJ Bell and is another likely to be looking for a bit more ground. Can’t leave her out. 4. Cap Estel will be up on the speed somewhere and she tried hard at the mile behind Straight Arron and that has to be reasonable form. Sure to be competitive.

How to play it: Espiona WIN ($1.70 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Espiona runs third in the Surround on February 26

3. Big Parade has this race tailor made for him with not a lot of noted pace engaged to keep him busy up on the speed. Looked to have done enough to win The Galaxy first-up only to be ambushed by Shelby Sixtysix near the line. Proved himself close to A Grade last time in and he can only be better for that brave fresh effort. Will take plenty of catching. Read jockey Josh Parr's comments here.

Dangers: 8. Count De Rupee should be a big improver on what he’s shown in two runs back at Group 1 level. Flowed to the line nicely in a trial earlier in the week so show he’s going okay and this is a big chance for him to get back on track. 1. Kementari was swallowing up the winner in his recent trial and he generally performs well fresh. Ran fourth behind Big Parade in the Sydney Stakes at level weights and is 1kg worse off here but you can’t overlook him. 2. Gem Song seems to go best at Newcastle as we saw when he won the Star Kingdom there first-up. If he can transfer that form back here then he’s certainly a chance.

How to play it: Big Parade WIN ($1.70 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Big Parade runs second in the Galaxy at Rosehill

1. Icebath goes around again and we have to butter up again. This is her first look at 2000m and she’s drawn reasonably well for a change which is important. Big run in the Doncaster then probably an even bigger effort in the Queen Of The Turf last week where she was just too far off them under the circumstances of the day. She’s easily the best performed in this race.

Dangers: 2. Polly Grey was desperately unlucky not to beat Mount Popa in the Neville Sellwood at Rosehill three weeks ago, she was caught up behind horses when the winner dashed and she only just failed to catch him. Loves it wet and will give another strong showing. 4. Brutality comes through the Doncaster where he was okay beaten just under five lengths without threatening. This is probably more his level and distance and he's capable of showing up. 7. Marroni led them up in the Sellwood and boxed on to just hold third. That was only his second run back so he’ll be at his peak now and expect him to race somewhere near the speed again.

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

Icebath runs third at Randwick on April 9

Wide barriers are overplayed when it comes to go forward horses and though 8. Forbidden Love has the car park to overcome she will push towards the front and likely look to slot in behind the likes of In The Congo and Ellsberg who have drawn around the middle, so she will have something to follow across. Just didn’t get the strong mile in the Doncaster but was dominant winning the Guy Walter, Canterbury and George Ryder on wet tracks before that. Just needs that good early steer and she’s still the horse to get the better of. Read trainer Michael Freedman's comments here.

Dangers: 14. In The Congo was just outpointed by the progressive Mazu last week and he’ll be much better for it too being just second-up in that race. Golden Rose winner over this trip in the spring, an on-pacer who is a big chance here if allowed to control. 1. Mo’unga has been treading water for a while since his second in the Futurity in Melbourne back in late February. He never trials well so his hitout last week is no guide but Winx Stakes winner over this course in the spring and he must be kept safe. 6. Laws Of Indices could be a big improver if we can get back into the soft range. Liked his run in the Ryder behind Forbidden Love and on that effort has to be considered.

How to play it: Forbidden Love WIN ($5.00 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: EVENS.

Forbidden Love runs fourth in the Doncaster at Randwick

8. Kirwan’s Lane is a very good each-way chance first-up from a spell on the back of a super trial just over a week ago. While his fresh record doesn’t read well on paper he was very unlucky in the Goulburn Cup fresh last time in and he should be hitting the line strongly here.

Dangers: 4. Mali Ston is a huge query bringing Group 1 form from New Zealand into this Benchmark 100 race. Group 2 winner two starts back then not disgraced in the Thorndon Mile running third behind The Chosen One. Lightly raced up and comer who handles all conditions and has to be given some respect. Read jockey Sam Weatherley's comments here. 16. Huetor was a revelation in his first Australian campaign winning all three starts and showed he’s on track to resume with a trial win recently. Yet to see him on a wet track in Oz but hard to fault anything he’s done so far. 11. Art Cadeau made an encouraging return in the Star Kingdom at Newcastle and it’ll be interesting to see if he can lift from that. Drawn well it seems and is unbeaten in three runs at Randwick.

How to play it: Kirwan’s Lane E/W ($13 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: EVENS.

Kirwan’s Lane runs second in a trial at Randwick on April 4

9. April Rain is a talented mare on her day and does fire when fresh. Bumped into a smart one first-up last time in then disappointed a little in two runs down in Melbourne. She looked on track breezing home just behind them in a strong trial a few weeks ago, there looks to be good speed here and she’ll get her chance to put herself into the race at the right time.

Dangers: 6. Maotai has to be considered a big danger if he can control himself in the lead. He did just that first-up a couple of months back but not so well in the Star Kingdom at Newcastle and he compounded late. Fitter for that and has to be given another chance because he’s an open book. We know exactly where he’ll be in the run. 11. Samoot was awesome winning first-up on a heavy track at Canterbury then up quickly in class and made a dash in the straight before levelling out in the Birthday Card. Can forgive that as she was wide on the track that day. Pay to keep her safe. 15. Lancaster Bomber drops 6.5kg on his honest second at Muswellbrook behind Mo's Crown. Placed in six of nine starts at Randwick and likes it wet. Each-way.

How to play it: April Rain WIN ($4.80 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

April Rain runs fifth in a trial at Rosehill on March 22

All the fields, form and replays for Saturday’s Randwick meeting