Latest News

By Ray Hickson

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

3. Margaret’s Missile has to handle the conditions but it was a promising return at 1400m here a few weeks back. She was strong through the line there and can only be fitter for the run, which she’ll need to be with a heavy track. Go well.

Dangers: 2. Cohesive comes through the same race at her second start and thought she just held her ground to grab third on the line. Also hasn’t seen a wet track but has the right platform with two runs now to step to the mile. 4. Quinky Deel has been around the mark of late with placings in three of his last four starts. Drifter in betting at Gosford last time and was safely held but worked home okay. Handles wet tracks so stays under notice. 9. Paziah ran fourth in the Kembla race on December 14 that a few of the chances come through. Been thereabouts and not out of it.

How to play it: Margaret’s Missile WIN ($6.50 TAB Fixed Odds).

Margaret’s Missile runs fifth at Kembla Grange on December 14

3. Denarau looks well suited getting up in distance now. Just missed at Moruya two back then sound in a Highway over the Randwick mile just over a week ago. Proven in heavy ground and with few rivals will have every chance to break through.

Dangers: 2. Whatadilemma was a popular maiden winner at Newcastle on a soft 6 two back then had excuses at Gosford where he was stuck wide and didn’t get into the race at all. Placed at 2300m before a break and looks the major threat. 8. Electric Tigress is fitter for a couple of runs back though both have been a shade disappointing. Led last time at Newcastle and weakened but has the chance to improve. 11. Prince Of Arandell hasn’t been placed in eight starts to date but did run a somewhat improved race at Gosford when up to 1900m third-up. Place chance.

How to play it: Denarau WIN ($2.20 TAB Fixed Odds).

Denarau runs fifth at Randwick on December 23

2. Restonica went under at $1.30 at Gosford last time but had a tough run there and probably didn’t do a bad job to run third. Blinkers go on and a wet track is no issue, certainly won’t get caught wide from the inside gate and has a good chance to atone.

Dangers: 10. Late Night Talking gets in with a light weight on debut on the back of a sound trial win at Rosehill a couple of weeks ago. Not a lot to go on regarding a wet track but she’s well worth keeping safe. 8. Kimono was safely held by the winner but fought hard with the runner-up when third at Canterbury in her best effort in three starts to date. On the up and if she copes with the ground she’s in the mix. 9. La Freccia had her chance first-up at Newcastle but did have some support so is a likely improver if she handles the ground.

How to play it: Restonica WIN ($2.00 TAB Fixed Odds).

Restonica runs third at Gosford on December 21

2. Zaragoza looks a strong chance on paper though there’s no wet track credentials to speak of. Loomed up on debut at Warwick Farm when favourite then sound at Wyong with both races at 1100m. In a very winnable race he's hard to beat.

Dangers: 11. Reiby Princess was only getting warm at the finish, and not fully tested late, when resuming at Wyong in the same race as Zaragoza. Just has to handle the going and she should be in the finish. 13. Mr Showman disappointed last time at Nowra when in the market but previous provincial placing has him in the mix for a placing here. No wet track form is the query. 4. December Sky failed on debut on a heavy then spelled. Two trial wins sound and gets in well with the claim so maybe worth another chance.

How to play it: Zaragoza WIN ($1.60 TAB Fixed Odds).

Zaragoza runs third at Wyong on December 23

2. Katsumoto looked to do it quite easily on debut over this course a few weeks ago and that was on the back of one trial. Obviously needs to handle the ground but should roll forward and put himself in the right spot to have his chance to go back to back.

Dangers: 8. Cani Cancan won on debut on a heavy track at Wagga then just fair here at only other start before a spell. Looked to travel nicely behind them in her trial and wouldn’t surprise to see her run a big race fresh. 4. Narrative had excuses at Randwick last start getting back from a wide gate and not ever coming into it. Won well at Hawkesbury prior and entitled to another chance. 9. Direct Fire looked impressive on debut at Sapphire Coast before a poor effort at Moruya where there may have been excuses. Trained here and up in trip. Could improve.

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

Katsumoto wins at Kembla Grange on December 14

3. She’s Unusual took a long time to wind up and couldn’t run down the winner first-up at Goulburn when favourite. Fitter for it and her only other start in NZ was on heavy ground and she won comfortably. Blinkers go on and she’ll get her chance here.

Dangers: 5. Zarrose kicked off her career with a couple of smart efforts including a maiden win at Wyong then even on a soft 6 at Newcastle. Expect she’ll be running on strongly at the finish. 10. Underground Music has been just behind the placings in her last four starts and is down in weight on a close up fourth at Nowra when back to 1200m. Close up in this grade prior and isn’t without an each-way chance. 7. Rapid Outlaw didn’t really fire last time in but is one to keep an eye on fresh after a nice third behind Either Oar in a Kembla trial recently.

How to play it: She’s Unusual WIN ($3.10 TAB Fixed Odds).

She’s Unusual runs second at Goulburn on December 15

3. Gelatin had run some handy races and broke through on a heavy track when resuming at Warwick Farm in quite a tough performance. Was headed and fought back strongly with a decent gap to third. Strikes a winnable race and no surprise if he backs it up.

Dangers: 4. Louie’s Legacy just went under behind Ballistic Therapy on a soft 7 at Mudgee before tackling a Highway and just holding his ground. Does handy the wet well and gets in nicely with the claim so can show up. 1. Tipitina hasn’t raced since March 2022 so has obviously had issues so must be showing something to remain in the Godolphin colours. Two recent trials haven’t been eye-catching but he does handle a wet track and trip suits fresh. Big market watch. 9. Noble Attack is a local with good wet track credentials who won on a good track here in November before a fair effort last time. Could lift sharply.

How to play it: Gelatin WIN ($2.80 TAB Fixed Odds).

Gelatin wins at Warwick Farm on December 20

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