Latest News

By Ray Hickson

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

6. Lord Tropicana seems to be shaping up well for the step up to 2000m, he ran on nicely behind a subsequent city winner at Canberra then again made ground at a mile at Gosford. Finds a winnable race and at worst is a good each-way chance.

Dangers: 9. Viren proved himself at 2100m when he chased a very short priced favourite right to the line at Gosford with a big gap to third. Drawn well again and Tom Sherry is riding in great form. Must be respected. 8. Tampering raced on the speed and stayed on well to hold third over a mile here a couple of weeks ago. That was only his third start and is bred to excel over some ground. One of the chances. 7. Somnus contested the same race and he battled on okay on the inside of the track, which may have been inferior on the day, finishing basically alongside Tampering. Another who should love the 2000m and is worth another chance, though seems to be very short in the market.

How to play it: Lord Tropicana E/W ($7.50 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Lord Tropicana runs third at Gosford on January 16

4. Bourbon Rose is a well bred filly bought by Godolphin at Easter last year and she hasn’t been tested in her two trial placings to date. It’ll be interesting to see what she produces on race day because you get the sense she has some ability. Look for some support but she’s hard to beat.

Dangers: 7. Shahi wasn’t quite up to it in the Gimcrack on debut and was spelled. Her two trials back have been solid enough, the stable is firing with its two-year-olds and Tommy Berry should know her well after riding in those gallops. Expect improvement. 8. Stolen Glance from the leading local stable has to be respected. She trialled quite well on her home track recently and has found Tom Marquand to ride. 2. Marsannay was a $400,000 purchase and has shown speed in his trials. Didn’t wear blinkers when running second at Randwick a few weeks ago but they are on race day. Keep in mind.

How to play it: Bourbon Rose WIN ($3.50 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Bourbon Rose runs third in a Warwick Farm trial on January 21

7. Promotions has five placings from six starts and did go very close to winning city maidens at his first two runs last time in. Didn’t wear blinkers in his only trial and was held together nicely, wear blinkers today. Clearly the horse to beat and a good chance to break through.

Dangers: 5. Dominus debuted in a decent form race where he had some support and was closing off nicely at the finish beaten two lengths at Warwick Farm to Travest. Might want that touch further but has upside and is a clear second pick. 1. Pioneer hasn’t raced for close to two years and was due to resume earlier this month only to be scratched at the barriers. Impressive trial winner since then and bears close watching on his home track. 6. Duty has been given time since his debut back in July and he improved into his second trial at Randwick running on down the outside over 1045m. Drawn well and well worth including in the chances.

How to play it: Promotions WIN ($2.00 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Promotions runs second in a trial at Rosehill on January 14

4. Valdostana comes through one of the best form races in recent weeks. Hit the lead and was nabbed in the last stride or two first-up at Warwick Farm and first, third and fourth have all won since. Drawn out again but fitter and with even luck she can go one better.

Dangers: 3. Running Four Bub has had a number of trials in the last 12 months but there was plenty to like about the latest at Randwick last week. She was held up at the tail and when a gap opened she slid home very well late. Tom Marquand rode her there and is on board on race day. Keep safe. 8. Badia comes through the same race as Valdostana where it’s fair to say she should have finished a bit closer than 1.8 lengths fifth after hitting a dead end late when running on. So far she’s promised more than delivered but on latest effort is a threat. 10. Tears Are Falling did a very good job first-up behind a boom horse in Tailleur, she was well back but attacked the line better than most into fourth and should relish the big track and extra 100m. Not out of it.

How to play it: Valdostana WIN ($2.50 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Valdostana runs second at Warwick Farm on January 8

12. Parche failed badly first-up when favourite but pulled up with excuses that can affect fillies and mares occasionally. Trial was too good going into that run to dismiss her, she showed a heap of promise in her first prep and if all is in order she should be in the finish.

Dangers: 5. La Tigresa caught the eye on debut charging home from the back then might have been a bit close in the run and didn’t finish off when in the market at Canterbury behind the promising Napster. Drawn out so probably goes back here and that could spark improvement. 2. Speedzone was spotted finishing his race off pretty well on debut at Warwick Farm at big odds. Open to improvement and might be one to throw in at odds. 9. Poetry In Motion settled back and ran on well right down the outside at her first start at Kembla a couple of weeks ago. An extra 100m is a plus and drawn a lot kinder this time. Definite chance.

How to play it: Parche WIN ($2.50 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Parche’s trial win at Warwick Farm on January 5

7. Fighting Faith is a big watch first-up for the Maher/Eustace stable. Raced consistently in Victoria so far and loved her second trial at Warwick Farm last week where she swept home to win nicely. Some support would be encouraging but expect her to run well fresh.

Dangers: 8. Tereka had support at odds and attacked the line strongly from last to run into second to Riverside’s Cash at Gosford, who has won in town since. Look for her to be running on again here. 3. Verlan blew the start by three lengths and didn’t do a bad job under the circumstances to be beaten four lengths at Gosford when resuming. Won two from three second-up so if she can step with them is not out of it. 1. Oksal ran well in a strong BM64 here two starts back, ignore the last start at Canterbury where she settled back on a leader’s track and made no impact. Each-way.

How to play it: Fighting Faith E/W ($6.50 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Fighting Faith wins a trial at Warwick Farm on January 21

1. Superbowl Sunday has the outside alley but goes forward so that’s no real concern. Beaten favourite when resuming here but down in class and fitter for that plus the blinkers go on. Horse to beat on his best form.

Dangers: 8. Bushido led all the way to win at his second start then sat just off the pace and proved a little too strong late. On the up and hard to ignore as he’s coming through the grades quickly. 3. Charm Offensive overcame a few issues prior to the start then didn’t settle all that well but was too good when breaking through over this course on January 7. Up in class but consistent and could go on with it. 13. Bullet Storm is lightly raced and ran well on debut before winning at his second start. Contested a strong trial leading in and was held together, drawn nicely and no surprise to see him measure up fresh.

How to play it: Superbowl Sunday WIN ($3.40 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Superbowl Sunday runs third at Kembla Grange on January 11

10. Misty Summer looked strong late first-up in a race dominated by a tearaway leader over a mile at Warwick Farm. While she’s back 100m here there should be genuine tempo and if she can get a clear crack from the inside alley she’s a good each-way chance in an open race.

Dangers: 6. Peace Of Mind reacted to being taken to the lead at Gosford and ran them into the ground winning by four lengths over a mile. More depth here but hard to ignore coming off such a dominant performance. 2. Academy ran well first-up then a bit disappointing when midfield behind Rocha Clock at Randwick. Easier task for him here and drawn well for the first time this prep. Entitled to be in the finish on his best form. Read trainer Mark Newnham's comments here. 1. Coterie will need luck from the wide gate but is also right back in class after a couple of solid efforts in Saturday company. Been a while between wins, that’s the concern, but a big chance if he can put it together.

How to play it: Misty Summer E/W ($8.50 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: EVENS.

Misty Summer runs second at Warwick Farm on January 8

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