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Tips and race by race preview by Ray Hickson for Wednesday’s Canterbury meeting. Selections based on a soft to heavy track.

7. Diaco has been hitting the line nicely behind them in two runs back over shorter trips and wasn't disgraced in a stronger race at Rosehill in his latest. No surprise to see him ridden much closer up in distance from a soft gate and this is a good chance for him to produce his best.

Dangers: 1. Spirit Of Vomo wasn't beaten far on debut behind True Crime and while he had his chance at Warwick Farm three weeks back he went down narrowly. Sharp distance increase but will be on the pace and must respect. 5. Midnightinmontreal showed improvement second-up to be beaten in the last stride or two at Newcastle a month ago and is another who will put himself on the pace. 2. Gamesmanship is an interesting first starter, bred to stay, who has trialled once and wasn't asked for a whole lot over the 1030m. It's likely he will be a lot more competitive over this trip.

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

6. Sports Legend has been a real eye-catcher at the trials and creates plenty of interest on debut. It's been five weeks since his last trial win and it seems an improving track is what he's been waiting for. Check betting but if he can run up to his trials he'll be a big chance.

Dangers: 12. Magic Carpet has some handy exposed form from the autumn including a second to She's Extreme in the Magic Night. Fair effort in the Percy Sykes before a spell. She's trialled twice on the synthetic, handles wet tracks and is right in this. 4. Scorch is a tricky one to line up with a couple of quiet trials on the synthetic leading into his debut. Be guided by market confidence but have to keep him safe. 13. Rakomelo tackled a few strong races last season including a solid second to Best Of Bordeaux in the Canonbury. Gelded and fitter for two trials, he's a big watch here first-up. 1. Buenos Noches looked sharp winning a trial in June before a quieter one in the middle of July. Scratched from Rosehill last Saturday and drawn well here. In the mix.

How to play it: Sports Legend WIN ($3.00 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: EVENS.

3. Speed Legend has a run of outs to break but he looks ideally placed to get the job done after three very nice runs back in good form races. Ran the fastest last 200m in his fifth at Rosehill last time after giving away an impossible start. Drawn nicely up in trip and is hard to beat.

Dangers: 1. Oz Legend might be one run away but he was solid running on late off a six week break at his second Australian start behind Caesars Palace at Rosehill recently. Perhaps wants beyond 2000m but with the class drop he's worth keeping safe. 2. Chateaux Park revelled in the conditions posting an easy heavy track win at Kensington two weeks ago. Creeps up in the weights and a soft track might take away his edge but hard to deny him a chance while in good form. 6. Good Omens found the right part of the track when running out a popular winner at Goulburn a few weeks ago, at provincial level. Form hasn't really stood up but at peak with three runs back and can race on speed so worth including.

How to play it: Speed Legend WIN ($3.50 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS.

No reason why 1. Icecrusher couldn't repeat the dose after arriving in time to score third-up at Kensington two weeks ago. Stays on the same weight after the claim, drawn nicely and is just a good, honest, mare racing in peak form. Go well.

Dangers: 2. And We Danced has been something of a heartbreaker as she's been beaten favourite on several occasions since joining Chris Waller. Back in grade on her last effort behind Kanazawa where she had her chance. Blinkers off, she seems to have the ability and if she can put it together she is a threat. 6. Carartie disappointed a touch third-up at Hawkesbury but there was enough merit in her previous efforts to give her another chance despite a class rise. Always shown a bit of promise despite just he one win and is an each-way chance. 5. Mystic Mermaid is coming off a Newcastle maiden win by a narrow margin but she was okay in some city maidens before that. Not a great deal of depth here so she can measure up.

How to play it: Icecrusher WIN ($4.20 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

3. Sacred Command could have the right set up to bounce back after a fair effort in stronger company at Rosehill. His three Victorian starts prior were honest including a third-up win and with a bit of likely speed here might have the last shot.

Dangers: 1. Highly Desired was allowed to dictate and consequently was never threatened in his easy win at Warwick Farm three weeks ago. Has an extra 2kg and what looks more competition for the lead but if he happens to get a nice run he's capable of repeating. 8. Green Flash is an interesting runner and track conditions are likely to be critical to his chances. Not seen since running an even second at Ballarat in May, he's previously not fired on wet tracks though a first-up sixth to Jojo Was A Man on a Canterbury heavy reads pretty well. 2. Wild Chap battled into third in a four horse field at Kensington last start but perhaps best to assess him on his Canterbury form which is three starts for three wins. Will be on the speed somewhere and, like Highly Desired, if he gets the right run is capable of featuring.

How to play it: Sacred Command WIN ($5.00 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS.

10. Ten Bells hasn't raced since Everest Day last year where she won the Highway, though did have an autumn prep which was cut short with injury. Talented mare, drawn well and with a couple of handy trials under her belt to be ready for a big first-up run. Good chance.

Dangers: 1. Bugalugs raced consistently last time in, finishing top three in all six starts on all surfaces. Given a decent enough hitout to win a Scone trial leading in and he can't do anything but run well fresh. 7. Not Another Reiby didn't seem to come up in two runs last time in so best to overlook them as he's stretched out well in his recent trial win, albeit on synthetic. Another consistent performer at this level and he's well worth including. 5.Ceasefire seemed to have his chance last time at Kensington five weeks ago but wasn't beaten far and this is certainly no harder. Best form would see him competitive.

How to play it: Ten Bells WIN ($4.40 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

5. Overlord has the race fitness on his side and showed some desire in scoring an impressive first-up win at Warwick Farm. He needs to back that up with an extra 2kg but he's also fitter and has drawn to get every chance.

Dangers: 10. Whangaehu is a big query first-up for the Waller yard. Maiden winner at Awapuni before beaten favourite at Hastings back in March at start three. Pretty quiet trial doesn't give us a big guide but James McDonald rides so perhaps that's the push. Keep safe. 2. Gracilistyla was spelled after failing here on a heavy 10 back in March where he was caught three wide throughout. Had done little wrong before that and gets blinkers on. More than capable of winning this. 7. Marchioness wasn't disgraced first-up over 1100m at Randwick, working home late in a handy mares field. The extra trip should be in her favour and while luck is required from the tricky gate she's expected to improve on that fresh performance.

How to play it: Overlord WIN ($4.40 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.