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By Ray Hickson

Tips and race by race preview by Ray Hickson for Wednesday’s Gosford meeting. Selections based on a good track.

6. Beach Party looks well placed if she can repeat her last start effort when run down at Wyong over this trip. Decent gap to third. Seems to appreciate the mile and with three runs under her belt and a race with less depth she’ll have the chance to go one better.

Dangers: 5. Aquatica gets the blinkers on first time after two starts and there was some support for her at Newcastle a couple of weeks ago where she boxed on fairly to run fifth. Up to a mile and with the shades there’s the chance to improve. 9. Wecansay Dun has been behind the placings in all three starts and at double figure odds so the market will be interesting on the back of his trial where he was strong late, after some encouragement, into fourth. 3. You And I was a month between runs when a fading eighth here last time but if he could repeat his effort from November 14, where he was cut down late over this course, he’d be some chance.

How to play it: Beach Party WIN ($2.40 TAB Fixed Odds).

Beach Party runs second at Wyong on January 6

3. Highness (FR) is fitter for two runs back from a spell and he might get a degree of control here up to the staying trip. Drops 1.5kg on his last start fifth at Canberra and should be hitting peak fitness now so gets his chance to show something in a wide open race.

Dangers: 4. The Big Biig broke through at Beaumont a month or so ago and has backed it up with a couple of sound fourths including one in this grade at Kembla. Has plenty in his favour here and is one of the main hopes. 1. Flambeur comes through the same race and he finished in fifth place, not far off The Big Biig, and if anything the 2600m will suit him. While he has top weight he won’t get a better chance to figure in the finish. 5. Kikikapow put two wins together before dropping to 1900m and looking one paced here a few weeks ago. Placed twice at this track and trip so shouldn’t be left out of the chances.

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

Highness (FR) runs fifth at Canberra on January 12

12. Fickle looked set to go straight past the leaders on debut at Canterbury but just didn’t sprint as expected. She was six weeks between trial and race and had a setback so possible excuse for her there. Was favourite so a bit expected of her, finds a nice race and chance to set the record straight.

Dangers: 5. Artemis Arrows is an interesting runner on debut, nicely bred and has trialled okay on a few occasions in the last month. Keep very safe. 10. All Too Zatso ran a cheeky second to Bojangles three runs back and gets up in trip after a sound third at Taree over 1007m. Wouldn’t be surprised if she sneaks into the money somewhere from a soft gate. 13. Starmae contested the Magic Millions Maiden first-up and didn't get into the race at all. Kinder draw could see her race handier and improve.

How to play it: Fickle WIN ($2.10 TAB Fixed Odds).

Fickle’s debut at Canterbury on January 5

8. Cressida is a locally trained mare on debut and she gets her chance to show up in race lacking depth. Latest trial was sound enough, draws one and any market support would be significant.

Dangers: 3. Maximum Ride was no match for Magnucat on debut at Muswellbrook but still found the line over the 900m. Winner has since won again and stepping up in trip should be a plus. Go well. 7. Catchy Tunes comes through the same race where she ran fourth, had some support there and getting back onto a good track might help. Each-way. 9. Must Be Magic hasn't raced since the end of July when narrowly beaten at Sapphire Coast. Not exposed in a heavy track trial and could show up.

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

8. Buba is bursting to win a race and while this one will have to work out in his favour from the outside gate he has the form on the board. Twice placed in metro BM72 grade this time in, split by a heavy 10 second, and continues to hit the line. Good chance if she gets the breaks.

Dangers: 6. Smart As Smart showed some improvement third-up at Canterbury running on late to be just behind the placings. Good record this track and trip and has the chance to feature. 1. Four O’Clock Knock enjoyed a fast run race to win easily at Orange as favourite before stepping to 2100m and fading when well in the market at Wyong a few weeks ago. Worth another chance back in trip with soft draw. 2. Notabadbuy hasn’t raced for over a year but is a two time first-up winner, including last prep at a similar trip, and from the in-form Waterhouse/Bott yard. Trial winner and could give some cheek.

How to play it: Buba E/W ($4.00 TAB Fixed Odds).

Buba runs third at Warwick Farm on January 10

5. Triskelion wasn’t fancied on debut but sprinted sharply when a gap opened to record an impressive win at Canterbury. Can only have upside and it did look pretty soft on the line. Gives away experience but draws to get another nice run and could repeat.

Dangers: 6. O’Tycoon hasn’t raced since August but he’s trialling like he’s set to run a big race first-up. As around the mark without winning last time in and back in this class he bears close watching. 1. Memoria is an honest mare and entitled to be favourite. Led but no match for Peace Officer at Wyong back in September after a Newcastle win from the front. Nice trial winner recently and with the claim can’t be overlooked. 14. Opito Ballerina was strong through the line when resuming at Randwick running fourth behind Shaken. Down in grade here, might want a little further but sure to be hitting the line.

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

Triskelion wins at Canterbury on January 5

4. Coco Dreaming showed promise in her first prep and resumed with a solid second over 1000m at Wyong before Christmas. Was favourite there, and hit the line well suggesting the extra trip will be a plus. Back a touch in grade with the Midway restriction and big chance to go one better.

Dangers: 11. Riva D’Amor gets a nice 4kg weight drop on her close second at Canberra a couple of weeks ago. She’s only had the six starts and draws well, has to be an each-way chance. 12. Direct Fire is another with only a few starts to his name and he wasn’t disgraced on a heavy track at Kembla Grange last time out. Will need some luck from a wide draw but worth including in the chances. 6. Navy Blood was in the market first-up at Muswellbrook but didn't really attack the line though racing wide over 1000m. Fitter and drawn nicely with bar plates coming off so could be an improver.

How to play it: Coco Dreaming WIN ($1.95 TAB Fixed Odds).

Coco Dreaming runs second at Wyong on December 23

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