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By Ray Hickson

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

3. Decimus is a work in progress but he might appreciate the step up in distance to the mile after a solid third on a heavy here three weeks ago. Did a good job to rally after losing his compass on the turn. In a wide open race he’s a good chance.

Dangers: 4. Ring Ahoy had cardiac arrhythmia last time in the same race so forgive that. Ridden upside at his previous start and held on okay. If he can get the breaks at the right time he’d be capable of being in the finish. 5. Genetic Freak was runner-up at Hawkesbury after leading and he only went down in the closing stages. It was his best run to date and has claims here. 1. Whatadilemma ran third in the same race and seemed to have his chance. Perhaps a firmer track will assist.

How to play it: Decimus E/W ($5.50 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Decimus runs third at Warwick Farm on March 29

6. Influential is a nicely bred colt who found the line very nicely in his latest trial at Rosehill last week. Plenty of upside to him, finds the leading jockey and has drawn well. Can only be competitive at least here on debut.

Dangers: 2. General Salute won that trial and has race experience on his side from an excellent debut third behind Red Resistance back in January where he settled back and ran on down the outside late. Imagine he’ll be right there from the inside gate. Danger. 1. Snapback started $1.50 at his only start and fair to say he had his chance from outside the lead when run down by Lazzago. That’s not a bad reference all the same and it was raining during that race. Trial was okay and he has to be respected. 12. Vanquished has won both trials by small margins though Snapback was third in the latest of them. Drawn well and worth including.

How to play it: Influential WIN ($4.40 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: EVENS.

Influential runs third in a Rosehill trial on April 11

13. Oz Empress ran well on debut in a strong maiden then again had support in running third here on Easter Monday. Draws to be prominent and with those runs under the belt should have every chance to break through.

Dangers: 7. Bolero Belle from the Waller stable has trialled twice and showed some improvement into the second trial when a close third. Nicely drawn and respect James McDonald riding. Keep safe. 1. Achlys was a beaten favourite at Kembla Grange two weeks ago but not disgraced there on a heavy track. Early two-year-old form was promising and she’s an each-way chance. 6. Azula trialled quite nicely back on March 17 then not as comfortable it seemed on the synthetic in her latest hitout when a close second. Inclined to include her in the chances.

How to play it: Oz Empress WIN ($2.40 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Oz Empress runs third at Warwick Farm on April 10

5. Union Gap had a nice run in front but couldn’t have been more impressive first-up winning easily over the mile three weeks back. Extra trip holds no fears and can only be fitter for it. No reason he couldn’t repeat the dose.

Dangers: 6. Left Reeling is fitter for three runs back and wasn’t beaten far over 1800m last time out. Down a grade and up in trip suits. Looks set to run her best race this prep. 1. Made By Khan is racing well without winning and boxed on as he usually does when placed here behind Deniliquin on a heavy track. Will be somewhere on speed and has to be considered. 3. Credit Crunch resumed with a nice fifth over a mile here when running on from last. Improves with a run or two under her belt and back in her comfort zone distance wise. Must consider.

How to play it: Union Gap WIN ($2.40 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Union Gap wins at Warwick Farm on March 29

5. Essonne has won two of her last four and had genuine excuses for the other two defeats. Was travelling well in the Provincial Midway Final at Randwick last time but ran out of room and lost any chance. Drawn well and on previous win is right in this.

Dangers: 7. Huesca didn’t get a lot of control when he resumed with a close up fourth over 1100m here. Down 3kg and last win was over this course in June. Fitter and will be harder to beat this time. 3. Starman is a big market watch first-up. He’s always shown some talent and was in the market in all three runs in BM78 company last time in but didn’t fire. Two of his three wins have come first-up and he’s one to keep an eye on. 1. Basarwa is new to the Lees yard and he stoked up pretty well late in his second trial last week. Distance suits fresh and he could run a cheeky race.

How to play it: Essonne WIN ($4.80 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Essonne wins at Kembla Grange on February 23

13. Eagle Nest is an up and comer who was excellent in her maiden win at Hawkesbury, putting a big space on her rivals and the runner-up has since confirmed the form. Not a big class rise for her, draws to be wherever needed and should be hard to beat.

Dangers: 5. Bunker Hut resumes as a gelding since tackling the Spring Champion Stakes. Take out his two runs at Group level and he has a great record, and he trialled brilliantly leading into this behind Passive Aggressive. Just the 1100m might be sharp for him, but he must be considered. 14. Quilting won her first two starts in the country and spelled after an even effort at Gosford in November. Had three trials leading in, draws well and is an each-way chance. 12. Gilmore was wayward when runner-up to Eagle Nest then did it much better in a runaway maiden win at Wyong. Drawn out here but imagine she rolls forward and stays in the mix.

How to play it: Eagle Nest WIN ($2.30 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Eagle Nest wins at Hawkesbury on March 23

2. Tsarina Sophia was given a searching trial win before resuming in the PJ Bell at Group 3. She drew wide and was always well back but did make some ground at the finish. Class drop here, fitter and she should be a lot more competitive.

Dangers: 9. Bowery Breeze had almost three months between runs following a placing over a mile here when runner-up at 1100m at Hawkesbury. So she’s come back nicely and usually puts in on her home track. Each-way chance. 8. Ponca showed promise in the spring winning at Gosford and Wyong and was close up in a Group 3 in Brisbane. Didn’t show a whole lot in her latest trial which is some concern but if there’s support for her it’d be a sign the trial is no guide. 4. Eye See Things ran a super race first-up in this class then outclassed in the G2 Sapphire so that can be overlooked. Capable of bouncing back here.

How to play it: Tsarina Sophia E/W ($5.50 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Tsarina Sophia’s run at Randwick on April 1

6. Kokoro hasn’t raced for six weeks and that’s the only minor concern as he looks to have the form on the board. Chased Lindermann two starts back then left it too late when running on at Kensington last time. Well suited in this race if he parades in order.

Dangers: 8. I’ve Bean Tryin’ was enormous from the back running into third in the Country Championships Final and does appear ready for another shot at a mile. Ran an eye-catching fourth at his only start here and if they are able to run on he’ll be hard to hold out. 1. Silent Agenda is right down in lass on his narrow defeat over this course on Easter Monday but he is up 9kg for his trouble. Consistent type who will be around the mark again. 16. Hokkaido should appreciate getting out to a mile now after two runs at 1400m. Even effort at Listed level last timer, he’ll get back but has a big finish when right and could feature.

How to play it: Kokoro WIN ($3.40 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: EVENS.

Kokoro runs second at Kensington on March 8

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