3 minute read
Tips and race by race preview by Ray Hickson for Wednesday’s Kensington meeting. Selections based on a good track.
Race 1 - Race 1 - 1:25PM PRECISE AIR HANDICAP (1250 METRES)
5. California Surreal made a handy debut behind a smart filly back in April and returns on the back of two handy trials. Particularly liked the latest hitout and she's worth a look each-way first-up.
Dangers: 8. Mokulua was also rested after a sound debut earlier this year, hers a second at Wyong where she made ground. Won both trials this time in, finds Nash Rawiller to ride and should be competitive. 1. Yearning was runner-up on debut here on a heavy track before finishing close up in the Group 2 Percy Sykes. Obviously this is a class drop on that and her latest trial was nice enough. Can be in the finish but may be unders. 3. Chill might have been beaten six lengths first-up but it was by Paulele and she was strong late. Three of her five starts have been in stakes races and she has the chance to put herself in the mix.
How to play it: California Surreal E/W ($8.50 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Race 2 - 2:00PM VINERY STUD HANDICAP (1250 METRES)
8. Money From The Sky is a striking Frankel colt who has been hard to miss in his trials with the latest being a nice piece of work in behind the placings. There's some depth here but he's drawn well and if solid in betting might be the one.
Dangers: 2. Devil's Throat looked to have the race in his keeping only to be swamped by Flying Crazy here two weeks ago. It was an improved showing too on a solid debut so from a perfect gate will get his chance. 3. Greater Harlem was a little disappointing before a break but he did show promise on debut with a handy second behind Overpass. His trials in small fields have been fine and he has James McDonald on board. Respect. 6. Deep Snow has trialled very well on two occasions and might be the one over the odds. Split Hilal and Greater Harlem in his July 30 heat then gives an easy time out the back last week. Could surprise.
How to play it: Money From The Sky WIN ($4.40 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: EVENS.
Race 3 - 2:35PM HEINEKEN HANDICAP (1250 METRES)
4. Super Effort hasn't raced since his luckless second on a heavy track at Randwick a month ago where he drew wide and went back and should have gone close. First-up win was impressive and the only query is back onto a dry track. Go well. Read co-trainer Gerald Ryan's comments here.
Dangers: 2. He's A Hotshot has put a few nice efforts together as the tracks have dried and he wasn't disgraced in tougher company at Randwick last time out. Will be in the firing line for a long way from the inside gate. 6. Finally Realise couldn't have been more impressive winning a BM64 here three weeks ago. Up in grade and was an $18 chance there but draws well and a repeat performance would see him hard to beat. 3. Julian Rock can often bob up and win a race like this. Resuming since a win at Canterbury in late May and comes off a trial win. One to include in all multiples.
How to play it: Super Effort WIN ($3.60 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: EVENS.
Race 4 - 3:10PM BOWERMANS COMMERCIAL FURNITURE HANDICAP (1250 METRES)
11. Jal Lei is the one to watch if she gains a start. Made a smart debut at Canterbury in February then returned with an awesome performance to win a maiden at Kembla earlier this month. Sharp class rise but she looks above average.
Dangers: 9. Billiondollarbaby is unbeaten after two starts in April where she was in or near the lead and held them off strongly. Two trials back and in the latest she took on some tough mares so her effort was solid. Must be respected. 3. Sunrise Ruby steps up from an impressive Highway win at Randwick where the form has held up pretty well. She settled well back there and weaved through to win running slick sectionals so no surprise if she features here. 6. Sequana was a first-up winner last time in then went through the Provincial Championships series. Latest trial was a nice closing effort under no pressure and with James McDonald on she's one to keep an eye on.
How to play it: Jal Lei E/W ($5.50 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: ODDS.
Race 5 - 3:45PM THE AGENCY REAL ESTATE HANDICAP (1800 METRES)
1. Kutayha was a beaten favourite over this course two weeks ago but was a victim of circumstances there in a slowly run race. He draws to be a bit handier this time, taking tempo out of play to a degree, and he should be harder to hold out.
Dangers: 6. Bazooka is bursting to win a race, he keeps running excellent sectionals from well back but leaving it a bit too late. The draw is a little kinder on him but it will come down to run of the race factors and if breaks go his way he can win. 2. Yukon was in the right spot in the run to win the race that Kutayha was beaten as favourite. He has the on pace style that will see him be very competitive once again. 4. Silent Agenda won over this trip at Randwick two starts back then midfield at Kembla on Saturday. Back in grade and blinkers go on back so he could easily bounce back to his consistent ways.
How to play it: Kutayha WIN ($3.50 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Race 6 - 4:20PM BUY @ IRISH SALES ONLINE HANIDCAP (1550 METRES)
9. Bob's Your Uncle has a good chance to break through after a game second here three weeks ago at his first run on a good track in a while. Big gap to third there too. Draws ideally and has struck a very winnable race. Good chance.
Dangers: 11. Sacred Command is an ex-Kiwi now with Chris Waller and he was given an easy time in a trial at Rosehill last Friday. Most of his NZ form is on wet tracks so that's a small query but he's one to keep safe. 1. Favreau is a stayer resuming at a trip that should be able to see him be competitive. He wasn't disgraced in the ATC Derby and did win a couple of races in lesser company at a mile early in that prep. Watch betting. 3. Fantastic Baby missed a place for the first time when finishing midfield in a Midway at Rosehill last month. Forgive that, blinkers come off and while luck is needed from the gate he's worth another look.
How to play it: Bob's Your Uncle WIN ($4.40 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: ODDS.
Race 7 - 4:55PM TERRITORIES @ DARLEY HANDICAP (1100 METRES)
10. Escape Artist has drawn wide in four starts since winning over this course back in May and she just bumped into a smart one when narrowly beaten two weeks ago. Interesting to see what she does from gate one but isn't far off another win.
Dangers: 9. Duchess was racing very well prior to beating one hone behind Sixgun at Randwick a few weeks back but she didn't get a crack at them there at any stage. Go overlook that run. Has James McDonald on board and is a threat. 8. Miss Dior comes through the same race and she finished fourth after getting up along the fence late, in perhaps not the best going. Won't be far away again here. 13. Jojo Was A Man was a popular debut winner at 1400m here then struck a heavy track when running fourth at his only other start back in March. Trialled twice and the query is whether 1100m is a bit sharp for him, if it isn't he's hard to beat.
How to play it: Escape Artist E/W ($7.00 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
