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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 good track.

It couldn’t have worked out any better for 6. Shaken when she strolled home first-up at Wyong and that sets her up to make the progression up in class. She’s a sensationally bred filly with early speed to offset the gate and it would appear the extra 100m won’t be an issue. Expecting her to be hard to run down. Read jockey Zac Lloyd's comments here.

Dangers: If there’s something breathing down Shaken’s neck it will likely be 5. Estriella who ran right up to some raps with a dominant debut win at Gosford five weeks ago. She’ll love Randwick and the runner-up did win a city race at her next start. 1. Infatuation has the strongest form references from her first preparation which included a second in the Golden Gift, a win over The Little Pumper and a fourth in the Magic Millions. Happy enough with her trials and while she’s giving Shaken 4kg she has the runs on the board. 4. Caballus only beat one home on debut at Canterbury but he didn’t get much of a crack at them and was beaten under two lengths in a blanket finish. Back in trip but wary of him.

How to play it: Shaken WIN ($3.80 TAB Fixed Odds).

Shaken wins at Wyong on July 4

14. Vain Invader was runner-up in a similar event two weeks ago after getting into a bit of an on-pace battle. It’s possible the same could happen here but he has the advantage of barrier one so an easier passage may come his way. Hovering around a win and he has a chance in an open race.

Dangers: 7. Baranof finished a solid fourth in a similar race two weeks ago and while it’s fair to say he had his chance he’ll be better for the run at a mile. If he can hold that form he’s in the finish somewhere. 11. Elettrica is going to fire sooner or later so prepared to forgive her failure last week when back to 1300m. Wonder if she was just a bit close in the run? Prior to that she settled midfield and hit the line okay in a 1400m Midway. Each-way claims. 1. Dr Evil is another to contest the Midway here from July 15 and he was nice late running into fifth. No harder and one of the chances.

How to play it: Vain Invader E/W ($8.00 TAB Fixed Odds).

Vain Invader runs second at Randwick on July 15

4. Salire is a backmarker so he’s going to need the breaks but surely he has the right credentials for this Highway, the 350th Highway to be exact, to be his big chance. He chased Mogo Magic home at Rosehill then was excellent stepping up to a BM78 and charging into third behind Omni Man two weeks ago. Nash rides and if he has the last shot at them he’s sure to take holding out.

Dangers: 12. Take The Kitty was a touch unlucky in the Highway here on July 15, he was held up when the eventual runner-up made her move but he was stronger than anything late running into third. Good chance again. 13. Melody Again was that runner-up and she will face a similar task having drawn wide. Wasn’t able to use barrier one to her advantage in that race so imagine she goes back again from a wide one. Hard to leave her out of the chances. Same goes for 2. Zaru who finally had a bit of fortune go his way to record an overdue win. He should be afforded a similar run just behind the speed here and isn’t badly weighted only going up half a kilo.

How to play it: Salire WIN ($6.00 TAB Fixed Odds).

Salire runs third at Randwick on July 15

2. Decadent Tale has a race tailor made for her to produce her best. She’s had to come from impossible positions in her last couple, behind Flashing Steel at Canterbury and in a Midway here two weeks ago where she turned last and flashed home to be beaten 2.5 lengths. Back to mares, draws soft to be much closer and drops 3kg. Plenty to like.

Dangers: 1. Ita is a tough mare who gets some weight relief with the 3kg claim after lumping 63kg and 61kg to even efforts at her past couple. Also back to the mares here and she should be respected. 11. Endorphins doesn’t win out of turn but she’s now third-up after a couple of solid finishing efforts over a mile. The 1800m looks to suit and she’s right down in the weights here so while she had her chance at Warwick Farm last time she can be around the mark again. 9. Lovetheinvasion appears the only leader here and while she was plain in the same race as Endorphins, where she sat second and was the first under pressure, but her first-up run was sound enough. If she finds a picnic in front she could give some cheek.

How to play it: Decadent Tale WIN ($3.90 TAB Fixed Odds).

Decadent Tale's last start at Randwick on July 15

Happy to be with 4. Touristic who hasn’t put a foot wrong this preparation and he was far from disgraced running into third behind Manbehindthemoney over 2000m. That was on the back-up from his win over this trip at Rosehill. The form around him is solid and there should be a genuine enough tempo to give him his chance.

Dangers: 6. Mutamanni started favourite in that race and loomed like he was going to do something but didn’t pick up like he did when he scored at Warwick Farm prior. Here’s probably a small question as to whether he needs some give in the track and with another good surface ahead of him this will tell us. 1. Special Envoy rebounded from being beaten almost eight lengths by Touristic first-up to score over this course two weeks ago as a $14 chance. Have to include him as a threat given that win. 8. Wineglass Bay made a pleasing return over 1400m three weeks ago and he’s going to relish get out to this sort of trip. The barrier probably sees him ridden negatively but if a horse like Touristic has the chance to run on from the second half of the field so will he.

How to play it: Touristic WIN ($4.80 TAB Fixed Odds).

Touristic runs third at Randwick on July 8

2. King Of Naples sets up well to back up his impressive win at Canterbury a couple of weeks ago over a subsequent winner. He was badly held up for a run in that race but was able to get across heels and launch to win so it’ll be a big confidence boost for the horse. He has Nash to stand over him and he’s drawn to get the right run.

Dangers: 11. Venelope is lightly raced and signalled a win isn’t too far away with a closing third at Kensington behind Sweysive where she only warmed up late but was able to get within half a length. Expect her to be launching at them late. 7. Star Mistress is up from Victoria and she’s dangerous here with a 4kg drop on her last start third at Sandown over 1400m. If she gets any control in front she can take catching, if there’s a query it’s how the wet track Sandown form will convert. 1. Plundering is super consistent though has a tricky gate to contend with. Looked the winner before being bloused late by Chorlton Lane at Rosehill four weeks ago. Has to be included if he lines up.

How to play it: King Of Naples WIN ($6.50 TAB Fixed Odds).

King Of Naples wins at Canterbury on July 12

4. Mogo Magic steps out of country grade for the first time but you have to start with him as the horse to beat because we just don’t know how good he is yet. Absorbed plenty of pressure to win his second Highway back on July 1 and it still looked soft on the line. He’ll put himself up there and if he is Kosciuszko material he will need to be winning again. Read jockey Nick Heywood's comments here.

Dangers: 7. Vindication was expected to win first-up at Wyong and he did just that, sitting wide under 60kg and winning easily. Obviously this is harder but the favourite is coming out of a Highway. Should be competitive. 10. Tintookie disappointed when finishing midfield as favourite behind Time To Boogie here two weeks ago but you have to be forgiving after two eye-catching runs prior. If anything there’s a little less depth in this race so she’s worth another chance. 15. Smashing Eagle might have appreciated settling back and hitting the line when he ran an improved fourth behind Omni Man at his second run for the Ryan/Alexiou team. This race should be genuinely run and if there’s a swooper to include he’s definitely one.

How to play it: Mogo Magic WIN ($2.40 TAB Fixed Odds).

Mogo Magic wins at Rosehill on July 1

4. Insurrection has done nothing wrong with dominant wins over this course at his past two starts and has to be rated the yardstick again. He is creeping up in class now but drops 2kg and this race appears to set up similarly to his past couple where he should roll across onto the speed and look to defy them. Only defeat this prep was to Omni Man and that’s pretty good form. Read trainer Michael Freedman's comments here.

Dangers: 3. Deepour looks the major threat coming though the Ramornie where he ran fourth as favourite. He did get a nice run through the field so had his chance but aided by a nice class drop. 1. Conscript went around without the rider at Randwick three weeks ago and that’s not in his form so he’s kind of had a run since he was a beaten favourite in the June Stakes. He was an impressive winner over this course first-up back at the end of May and is more than good enough to be a threat. 11. Rupertaar is a noted first-up performer and comes off a very soft Kembla trial win. Her form was a bit mixed last preparation in the BM78 range so that’s a small query but down on 52kg, if there’s support, she can measure up.

How to play it: Insurrection WIN ($2.25 TAB Fixed Odds).

Insurrection wins at Randwick on July 8

7. Stonecoat is a tough horse to run down if he finds the lead and he didn’t do that second-up over this course two weeks ago and he was reeled in when he did hit the front early in the straight. Plenty in his favour this time around with a 5kg drop thanks to a rise in class and the likelihood that he will lead, potentially comfortably. He’ll be hard fit now and take running down.

Dangers: 11. Tazaral is the logical danger given he was able to win that race after turning last and storming down the outside. He’s 2.5kg worse off at the weights and it’ll be interesting to see whether there’s a change of tactics to be closer this time. 10. King Of The Castle was enormous running on into third behind Bold Mac over 1800m in this grade last start. He found himself way too far back and it’s amazing he got within a length. He’s racing well and has to be an each-way chance at least. 6. Super Pursuit will get back and run on again as he did when third, and a shade unlucky as well, behind Tazaral. It comes down to how the race is run as far as his chances go but wouldn’t be leaving him out of the exotics.

How to play it: Stonecoat WIN ($5.50 TAB Fixed Odds).

Stonecoat runs fourth at Randwick on July 15

3. Banana Queen was tried at Group 3 level before a break which she earned with three wins and a game second from her first four runs in the prep, that started in a BM64 at Newcastle. Like her resuming at 1300m and she couldn’t have trialled better leading into the race. She’ll find a spot in the first half of the field and expect her to take holding off.

Dangers: 4. Super Friendship still has a bit of X-Factor about him, sure he’s only won a Class 1 at Gosford and a restricted BM72 at Kensington but he’s won them impressively, showing fight, and that’s all you can do. The runner-up from his latest win scored at Canterbury on Wednesday and he’ll be able to settle just off the pace from a favourable draw. Respect. 13. Strombus has been kept fresh since an easy win over 1400m in mid-June where he sprinted sharply once he saw daylight. Expect he’ll get back in the field but he’s sure to be running on. 8. Windshadow is coming through the grades well and responded to pressure when winning over this trip at Rosehill four weeks ago. He did look in some trouble but got the job done. Up 2.5kg but will be prominent again.

How to play it: Banana Queen WIN ($3.60 TAB Fixed Odds).

Banana Queen runs third in a Hawkesbury trial on July 17

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