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By Ray Hickson

Tips and race by race preview by Ray Hickson for Thursday’s Kembla Grange meeting. Selections based on a heavy track.

5. Stylebender is a 12 start maiden but he’s arguably going better than ever with a couple of solid city efforts since his placings at Canberra and Hawkesbury. Only beaten three lengths by Wicklow last start, and was staying on, at Rosehill and a repeat of that is good enough.

Dangers: 3. Contradeel has been competitive enough in three runs back and made ground without threatening at Newcastle third-up. Hit the line strongly on a soft 7 first-up at this track and has to be a major player. 8. Spinpix is on the back up after holding her ground for third at big odds on a heavy track on Saturday. Last two runs have been consistent enough to consider her a place chance again. 4. Lambardi is a 10 start maiden who seems to be racing well enough of late and measured up to this level four starts ago. Every chance at Nowra last week but has a show.

How to play it: Stylebender WIN ($2.15 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Stylebender runs fourth at Rosehill on June 5

8. The Halo is a nicely bred filly on debut on the back of a couple of sound trial performances at Randwick. She won her first then thought the effort behind Construct was handy enough too. Gets in light with the claim and if she can run up to her trials she should be competitive.

Dangers: 9. Ultra made her debut at Newcastle and was out-bobbed by Satin Ribbons in a 900m 2yo. Haven’t seen her on a real wet track as yet at the trials but looks a major player if she does handle it. 1. Bullpen was thrown in the deep end on debut in the Canonbury Stakes and just battled. Easy winner from the front of his first trial back then run down late in the second. Resumes as a gelding and should give a good account. 7. Rubinocchi just held his ground at his only start back in January on a good track and was spelled. Latest trial on the synthetic isn’t a great guide but she stretched out well to win it. Rather include her than dismiss at this point.

How to play it: The Halo E/W ($4.60 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

The Halo runs third in a trial at Randwick on June 8

3. Chateaux Park is a backmarker resuming so we’re relying on some pace put on early but he was honest during his summer campaign, which included a heavy track second to Sky Lab and a close fourth to Zing. Latest trial sound, races well fresh and will be running on.

Dangers: 4. Walkin’talkin ran up to his short price in breaking through at start two at Wyong earlier this month. That was 1000m so he jumps quickly in trip and onto a heavy track but he’s lightly raced and has more upside than most. Sits on speed and must be considered. 10. So Say You has hit the line nicely in two runs back from a break at Nowra and Goulburn on soft 7 tracks. Only win to date was at this trip and while this may be a little harder the wet track brings her into each-way contention. 6. Crazy Train is now with Matthew Dunn and has trialled twice, not really standing out. She has largely been around the mark so worth including.

How to play it: Chateaux Park E/W ($3.70 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Chateaux Park runs second in a Hawkesbury trial on June 15

9. Insurgence was scratched from Canterbury on Wednesday and he finished on well into third behind I Am Lethal in a trial at Randwick on June 8. Was an $825,000 yearling buy and while his trials haven’t stood out the last one was promising and this race suits.

Dangers: 5. Day Performer seemed outsprinted early in the straight but rallied to hit the line nicely into second at Gosford last time on a heavy track. Only unplaced run was on good ground so stays under notice. 3. Arimathea was a shade disappointing first-up at Newcastle when a well supported favourite, she just worked home fairly into fifth. Fitter and back to her home track so expect improvement. 4. Carlisle Bay just missed here first-up on a heavy track then beaten favourite at Goulburn. Down 3.5kg and is worth another chance.

How to play it: Insurgence WIN ($3.70 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Insurgence runs third in a trial at Randwick on June 8

1. Colonel gets in nicely with the claim for in-form apprentice Dylan Gibbons and drops in weight after a close second at Hawkesbury where he was well supported and ran right up to it. So long as barrier one is no disadvantage by this stage he should go close.

Dangers: 9. Sunborn is the most promising horse in the race and she returns from almost 12 months off the scene having taken on a string of Group and Listed races as a two-year-old last year. Looked good winning a trial in March but not seen publicly since so there’s an element of taking her on trust here. No surprise to see her win. Read trainer Edward Cummings' comments here. 4. Tickler threatened to win a race last prep but didn’t get there though he did produce a few handy efforts including a close fourth in a Highway and a last start third at Goulburn. Capable of running a cheeky race fresh. 8. Charm Offensive is an honest local who doesn’t win often but is regularly in the placings, as he was last start when third at this track and distance. Has to be included in the chances.

How to play it: Colonel WIN ($4.60 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Colonel runs second at Hawkesbury on June 13

6. Tongariro has run well in both starts this time in on soft and heavy tracks and should be just about ready for a peak performance third-up. From top local stable and if he’s within range at the 300m he should be right in the finish.

Dangers: 5. Obelos caught the eye first-up with his fast finishing fourth at Wyong over 1350m at big odds. He usually improves second-up and he has run well in a Highway on a heavy track so backing him to be okay in the going. Does need the breaks in his races but has a good chance. 4. Madam Charm beat a subsequent midweek city winner on a heavy track here two starts ago then up to 1900m at Gosford looked disappointing after leading and holding on for third. Back in trip might suit and she’s entitled to another shot. 1. Fenech comes back to the provincials after two popular wins on wet tracks at Taree so it’ll be interesting to see how he measures up. Did win a Class 1 here a year ago and is down slightly in weight after the claim. Can’t leave out.

How to play it: Tongariro E/W ($4.80 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Tongariro runs third at Newcastle on June 12

All the fields, form and replays for Thursday’s Kembla Grange meeting