3 minute read

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

8. Verbek faces a bit of a D-Day after going under as favourite at Goulburn second-up, though there were excuses as it was tough to make ground. He should be near his peak now third-up and the trip suits. Hard to beat.

Dangers: 9. Bella Rouge was beaten a long way second-up but reported to have had cardiac arrhythmia so there's a valid excuse. Effort first-up was excellent and she has trialled since her last run. Capable of bouncing back. 5. Field Legend is on debut after a couple of recent trials and he wasn't pressured in a close fourth in the latest. Watch betting. 3. Aton Of Delight is another debutant and he's a well bred gelding who finished second in his latest trial over 900m. Kicking off at this trip likely to suit and is another to keep an eye on.

How to play it: Verbek WIN ($4.00 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

6. Kiss Sum had no luck at all at Rosehill second-up and no doubt would have been in the finish somewhere had he found room earlier. Fitter for that and after an exciting first-up win it'll be interesting to see what he can do this time.

Dangers: 2. Akhtar beat a subsequent winner second-up then brave in a Midway at Randwick where he raced wide and loomed up before just feeling the pinch late. Drawn the one and looks a major threat. 4. Snitzonfire led all the way to win the race Kiss Sum contested at Rosehill and his racing style will ensure he's competitive here. He's a brother to the smart filly Coolangatta and is a definite chance. 1. Conrad is one of the favourites for the Four Pillars and he's back from a let up since an easy first-up win in August where he accounted for Fox Fighter. Bar plates going on is a small concern but he's talented and has to be respected.

How to play it: Kiss Sum WIN ($5.00 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: EVENS.

6. Dhakuri was sent out an odds-on favourite at Warwick Farm last time and the race didn't pan out for him as he got well back in a race that was a sprint home. Only beaten a couple of lengths and was a strong winner second-up when closer to the pace. Draws to be closer here. Go well.

Dangers: 1. Mightybeel had a walk in the park when he won second-up out to 1900m at Rosehill a couple of weeks ago. No harder here but does rise the 3kg. Logical danger. 2. Dream Runner is racing consistently, he was runner-up over this course two starts back then chased Yiyi home at Randwick up in class. Sure to be around the mark again. 3. Jojo Was A Man beat Different Strokes two starts back, that horse has won twice since, then run down here three weeks ago after leading at first try this trip. Include in the chances.

How to play it: Dhakuri E/W ($10 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

1. Delexo is a slick 1000m horse and just bumped into one who put in a peak performance in a Midway at Randwick last time. Up in weight but down in class and from the draw will be prominent throughout. Take running down.

Dangers: 5. Lennon is a smart horse on his day and while 1000m will be short of his best he's here without a public trial and there should be enough speed on to allow him to run on. One to be wary of. 2. Oh Please Dianna was placed twice at this track before winning at Gosford then even effort in the same race as Delexo last time at Randwick. Racing well and is one of the chances. 8. Sonnet Star ran a nice race in a Listed event in May then close up in an open two-year-old race before a spell. No public trials but she did run well here on debut and is another capable of showing up fresh.

How to play it: Delexo WIN ($2.90 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS.

3. Another One seems over the odds if he can find his best form. He was fair first-up and his second-up run at this track wasn't bad after a tough run, he kept finding the line. Looks less depth here, he's up in trip and drawn well. Has to be a good each-way chance.

Dangers: 6. Sacred Command appreciated a confidence boosting class drop when winning at his second local start at Goulburn (provincial level) a couple of Saturdays ago. Any rain around would be a plus and he's a likely improver on that win. 9. The Denzel started $1.08 and won as he liked in a weak maiden at Wyong. Not sure his overall form suggests he should be so short but perhaps he's turned the corner with that easy win. 5. Just A Jedi hit the line stylishly when resuming at Newcastle a couple of weeks ago and he'll appreciate stepping up in trip. Could take a closer position from an inside draw. Each-way.

How to play it: Another One E/W ($9.00 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

9. Elusive Jewel is very close to a win and if the race can pan out in her favour she'll be hard to hold out. Just left it too late behind Pippali at Rosehill last time and this is a similar task. Should be somewhere in the finish.

Dangers: 3. Vittoriosa comes through the same race and she weakened after leading to finish fifth there. She's better than that and if given a bit of control on speed she could be hard to urn down. 2. My Delight resumed with an even effort over 1300m here three weeks ago, she was beaten just under two lengths in a blanket finish. Fitter for that and she'll be more competitive this time. 10. Good Omens showed some promise earlier in the year and she's a market watch first-up at a suitable trip. Fitter for two trials, can show up.

How to play it: Elusive Jewel WIN ($4.80 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS.

5. Blesk was well supported first-up and just missed after charging from last over 1250m three weeks back. Just failed second-up last prep and if they're able to run on from the back he should be hard to hold out again.

Dangers: 7. Calgary Queen gave a big sight in front behind Barossa Rosa in a Midway a few weeks back. She's an honest mare who has drawn wide so it'll be interesting to see whether she looks to lead again. But with even luck she can run well. 2. Le Vizir started $11 first-up and won like a 6/4 shot at Warwick Farm so it'll be interesting to see if he can reproduce that effort. If he can he'll be right in the finish of this. 3. Grace Bay enjoyed a nice run and proved too strong when resuming at Wyong and from the same draw she'll be afforded every chance. Won second-up last prep and is rarely too far away.

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