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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 soft track.

5. Miss Piera looks a speedy filly and she did everything right in scoring an easy Hawkesbury trial win last week leading into her debut. Imagine she’ll look to lead and if she does find the front should give a good account.

Dangers: 4. Husk was safely held by the winner in her only trial but did it under her own steam and she sets up well to have every chance in what’s a very winnable two-year-old event. Likely trails the speed and should be hard to holdout. 1. Aboveforty was scratched from the Wyong Magic Millions and bears close watching on debut. Bumped into Traffic Warden in his first trial, and that’s a good reference, before not really taking part in his latest. Keep safe. 6. Photographics had to work to win her only trial, a 740m scamper at Randwick, but may be able to get more comfortable over the 1000m.

How to play it: Miss Piera WIN ($3.20 TAB Fixed Odds).

Miss Piera wins a Hawkesbury trial on December 12

1. Dimitrov returns as a gelding after a promising first campaign where he bumped into a couple of handy types including Ceolwulf before a break. Fitter for two trials, gets every chance from gate one and seems to handle soft ground. Go well.

Dangers: 9. Vanquished will be the one to run down, he’s now had two runs back for placings at Kensington and Canterbury and was only cut down late last time when an odds-on favourite. Logical threat. 3. Gelatin should have won at Rosehill at his second start so he has some ability and is one to keep an eye on first-up. Trialled twice and should be hitting the line strongly.

How to play it: Dimitrov WIN ($2.50 TAB Fixed Odds).

Dimitrov runs third in a Randwick trial on December 11

6. Lemaire has been around the mark in three runs back and might have a good chance to break through in a wide open race. Strong late second-up then raced closer and not as effective here two weeks ago. Handles all ground and is worth another chance.

Dangers: 5. Master Copy was an odds-on favourite and ran on to just miss at Newcastle last time on a soft track over the mile. Down 3.5kg for the class rise and on his previous run in this grade has to be a contender. 2. Edmond won well at his first start for Kim Waugh then boxed on okay at Canterbury up in class. Comes back a notch and drawn nicely this time. Must be considered. 7. Crystal Waters was well supported when she contested a similar race two weeks ago and hit the line to get within about half a length of Miss Checkoni. Each-way claims again.

How to play it: Lemaire WIN ($4.00 TAB Fixed Odds).

Lemaire runs third at Canterbury on November 24

2. Lavish Empire has been freshened up since a close third in a strong race at Kensington in October. Liked how he closed off his recent trial behind Time To Boogie, he handles all ground and has won at this course. Hard to see him not being in the finish somewhere.

Dangers: 1. Oxford Vision has come back in excellent form with successive wins including a last stride success at Canterbury where he had to weave through and dive late. Good in soft ground, drawn okay and claim helps offset the weight. Has to run well. 8. Storm The Ramparts looked to have his chance in front in a Class 1 at Gosford last time after a narrow defeat here first-up. Placed both heavy track runs so stays under notice.

How to play it: Lavish Empire WIN ($3.50 TAB Fixed Odds).

Lavish Empire runs second in a Randwick trial on December 11

4. California Grass should be near her top now after three runs back and she did close off quite well in a Midway at Rosehill last time out when well in the market. Just needs the breaks from that wide gate but expect she’ll be in the second half of the field and running on. Good chance.

Dangers: 2. Xtrarevz held his ground okay in a Midway behind Philipsburg at Rosehill. Has a heavy track placing and 3kg claim helps. 8. Acceber broke through for a Class 1 win at Canberra as favourite last start, prior he was close up in the same Midway at Rosehill. Likes it wet. Could surprise.

How to play it: California Grass WIN ($3.60 TAB Fixed Odds).

California Grass runs fourth at Rosehill on December 2

9. Shaken is a promising filly who scored a dominant maiden win first-up last prep on soft ground then pulled way too hard at Randwick in a handy 2yo race in July. Looked very good in two trials leading into her return and she does have more upside than most here. Take beating.

Dangers: 5. Impactfull Miss warmed up nicely late when running into third over 1000m here two weeks ago. All her form is fresh so far so that’s a little query but if she can lift off that effort she’s in the mix. 6. Cholante looked to be in for a good prep with an eye-catching second when resuming but hasn’t quite run up to that in two subsequent starts. Capable of bouncing back.

How to play it: Shaken WIN ($2.15 TAB Fixed Odds).

Shaken wins a Hawkesbury trial on December 12

8. Vinnie's Spirit is back from a break after a luckless second at Kensington two months ago where he blew the start and worked overtime to lead before finding one better late. Fitter for a recent trial, gets in well with the claim and if he does everything right can feature.

Dangers: 11. Tannenburg is another up and comer who arrived in time to run Vanquished down in a Canterbury maiden last month. Naturally has to take the next step up no reason he couldn’t. 2. Cool Jakey was a beaten favourite first-up at Kensington earlier this month but gets the blinkers on and won on a heavy track here on debut. Can lift. 7. Merry Mac Boy just missed here first-up then drew out and didn't feature at Canterbury behind Karedada. No wet track form to speak of but worth another chance.

How to play it: Vinnie's Spirit WIN ($3.70 TAB Fixed Odds).

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