3 minute read

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

5. Eponymous has taken a number of trials to make it to the races but there was a lot to like about the latest, where he led all the way and extended nicely late. Probably doesn't lead here but has a good foundation to kick off. Check betting but expect to run well.

Dangers: 17. Viburnum is a big watch first-up in Sydney and as a gelding on the back of two trial wins which are a little hard to read. Draws well and Hugh Bowman rode him in both trials so knows him well. Keep safe. 7. Himalaism hasn't quite lived up to expectations just yet though he has only raced twice. Resumes in blinkers with an inside gate and trialled solidly last week so well worth another chance. 4. Encroachment from the Waterhouse/Bott yard is another who has had a couple of preps before making it to the races and comes here on the back of an easy trial win. Expect he will go forward and give a sight.

How to play it: Eponymous E/W ($9.50 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS.

4. Esprit Lucand made a very handy debut at Goulburn finishing on strongly from well back into third, just behind subsequent Saturday winner Wingardium. Blinkers on, extra 100m are pluses and sure to be improved for the run. Good chance.

Dangers: 13. Tashi is a nicely bred filly on debut for the Snowden stable, and she's not really been asked for supreme efforts in her two trials. Likely to run well but check betting for a pointer. 14. Tragara disappointed on debut at Randwick back in February as she had been trialling quite well going in. Again her trials have been handy, in the same heats as Tashi, and is worth considering. 1. Cabaca is a half sister to a NZ dual Group 1 winner on debut for the Waller stable. Best of her trials was her most recent and only hitout publicly for five months. Not sure where she'll get to from the gate but worth keeping an eye on.

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

Anyone's race! 10. Viren shapes as a big improver second-up in race that lacks any real tempo. Fitter for one run back and likes to go forward in his races when up in distance so has the chance to do that here. Form last prep on good ground was honest. Go well.

Dangers: 9. Dinado has been going fairly on heavy tracks in three runs back and is also a possible improver here. Blinkers go on and she is worth another chance. 4. Roman did a good job to run into third in the Wellington Cup last start and aside from his Wagga Cup unplaced effort he's been going quite well this time in. Wouldn't surprise if he's in the placings. 7. Zounique was racing quite well on good tracks prior to an even effort under 61.5kg at Canterbury on a heavy 10. Well worth including here.

How to play it: Viren E/W ($4.20 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

6. Fiordland kicks off in his comfort zone and in a very open race so expecting him to run well fresh. Strode out nicely behind them in his latest trial suggesting he's in for a good prep, good track stats aren't great but chance to improve on that here.

Dangers: 1. Media Starguest rarely has luck in running in his races so it'll be interesting to see what he can do from gate one on a good track. Just fair last time but his first two runs back had merit and he's more than capable on his day. 2. Segrill is racing well this time in with two wins from three starts, both on heavy ground. Yet to be placed in four runs here but handles all ground and she has to be included in the main chances. 3. Propose A Toast is a front-running gelding and he tried hard behind Segrill at Warwick Farm. Last win was on a good track at Canberra in March.

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

5. Dollar Magic showed plenty of promise in her first prep back in the summer running out an easy Canterbury winner at her second start. Held together in her trial at Scone, draws to be right up there and would be no surprise to see her be very competitive.

Dangers: 7. Sneaky Paige has only started once on a good track and that was at the end of last prep so overlooking that. Best efforts have been fresh and she was a strong winner of a recent trial defeating Blesk. Must be respected. 8. Zetarita was a sneaky good run in the Denise's Joy at Scone but didn't back it up at Rosehill last time. Back in grade again and you'd imagine she goes back from the wide gate so if they are running on she should be strong at the finish. 10. The Rockwell Scale led all the way first-up at Hawkesbury to beat a subsequent winner in a maiden so that's encouraging. Another drawn low so can take advantage and be somewhere near the speed. Could measure up.

How to play it: Dollar Magic E/W ($10 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS.

1. He's A Hotshot was excellent in his first two runs back before disappointing at Rosehill last time but he's found a nice race with suitable conditions here. Should slide across and put himself on pace and with the good track and blinkers on is a good chance to break through.

Dangers: 3. Monte Ditto showed improvement second-up at Warwick Farm on a heavy track and if the speed goes on, and they are making ground, he can come into play. Did win third-up last preparation. 5. Quiet Riot can be a bit hit and miss but forgiving his failure at Flemington last time out. Hasn't seen a good track for a while but two of his three wins have come on top of the ground so he can lift here. 8. Twice As Special doesn't win out of turn but her two runs back on heavy ground have been solid. Beaten under a length at Randwick last time and back to her right grade here she could be in the finish if she gets the breaks.

How to play it: He's A Hotshot WIN ($4.20 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS.

3. Steel Diamond is very well placed to post her first win for two years. She's very rarely failed and is super honest but hasn't found the right race until now. There should be good enough speed for her to settle and finish off, she handles all ground and her recent trial was super. Hard to beat.

Dangers: 1. Calgary Queen was a beaten favourite last time at Randwick in a Midway but her form before that was typically honest. Game in defeat at Rosehill two runs back and sure to be a stumbling block here. 2. Hit The Target is a bold on pacer who has been sound in two runs back from a decent break. Down a touch in weight on those runs, he will roll forward as usual and can give a good sight. 10. La Sante might be a good each-way chance. Engaged in a two horse war at Wagga last time off a wide gate and was just outgunned. Narrowly beaten there before that with stablemate Gusonic, much shorter in the market here, in third place. Drawn well and could surprise.

How to play it: Steel Diamond WIN ($3.00 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS.