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By Ray Hickson

Tips and race by race preview by Ray Hickson for Friday’s night meeting at Canterbury Park. Selections based on a soft (5-6) track.

11. Zouriana caught the eye on debut in a strong 1000m event at Randwick won by Dawn Passage, she couldn’t keep up early but rattled off 33.72 for her last 600m (Punters Intelligence) which was second only to the winner. Extra 200m is in her favour and she should be hard to hold out.

Dangers: 4. Mesmer was never in the hunt on debut in the spring and that should be forgotten. Improved on an even first trial to lead and look strong in winning his second hitout. If he goes forward here he could take running down. 7. Belitsa stuck to her guns well behind what looks a handy type in All Cylinders at Gosford. If she can step up from that then she’s a big chance. 5. Papal Warrior wasn’t wearing blinkers in his latest trial behind Mesmer and he worked the line okay there. The shades on for his debut and drawn to have every chance. Must respect.

How to play it: Zouriana E/W ($4.40 TAB Fixed Odds).

Zouriana runs on late for fifth at Randwick on January 26

There are very few good things in racing but on form it is hard to see 9. Mizzy not finally breaking through now she lands in a maiden. Huge run first-up sitting wide on the pace in the Inglis Sprint behind Fiesta and Estijaab and she’s been competitive in Group races. She’s a short price but she looks the winner.

Dangers: 4. Achondrite is a big watch on debut after what was an impressive trial win at Rosehill recently. She’s obviously taken some time but it wouldn’t surprise if she sprung an upset. 7. Dunbrody Power was very well back when just missing first-up then tackled the Magic Millions maiden at the Gold Coast and wasn’t disgraced. No trials since then but well worth including. 10. Press Box might be a query on a wet track after her battling effort at Warwick Farm last start but if she does get through it she has a show.

How to play it: Mizzy WIN ($1.40 TAB Fixed Odds).

Mizzy runs third in the Inglis Sprint at Warwick Farm on February 9

6. Aliferous looks close to a win and she has the right form around her to suggest she’s over the odds and a good chance. Close up to Transmitter fresh then made some ground behind Archedemus at Warwick Farm. Soft track is okay, drawn well and blinkers on. Plenty to like.

Dangers: 5. Great Danger was chasing a fair way out but did look strong late when runner-up at Taree second-up. Done little wrong and this trip should suit him so though he’s up in class he has to be respected. 4. Schnapps won what has turned into a decent form race at Gosford then led and run down at Kembla last start. Yet to put in a bad one, races on the speed so can give a sight. 3. Silent Explorer probably didn't get the 1900m last start but on his previous couple of efforts, and with the wet track in his favour, he's entitled to another chance.

How to play it: Aliferous E/W ($8.00 TAB Fixed Odds).

Aliferous runs fourth at Warwick Farm on February 13

1. Koonunga will be the horse to beat again after she landed in front and cruised to an easy win in a similar race three weeks ago. Up 2.5kg but no harder here and she certainly doesn’t have to lead to win.

Dangers: 8. Our Revenue chased Koonunga home two starts ago then went to Warwick Farm last week and was narrowly beaten. Racing pattern can cost her but she’s hard to leave out on recent form. 5. Soul Star has only won once in 13 starts and will break through sooner or later but she’ll certainly be somewhere in the finish. Had her chance in the same race as Our Revenue but barrier one is a plus. 6. Tootz gave a good sight when resuming at 1250m here two weeks ago on a heavy track. Coming back in trip a query but expect she’ll be around the mark.

How to play it: Koonunga WIN ($1.90 TAB Fixed Odds).

Koonunga wins easily at Canterbury on February 1

1. Cisco Bay couldn’t have been more impressive winning second-up on a soft track at Warwick Farm and there’s everything to suggest the 1900m will be up his alley. Rises sharply in weight but back in class and there’s every reason to think he can go on with it.

Dangers: 3. Fabricator has put two good runs together over this course from on the speed and that’s where he’ll be again here. Drops 3kg for the claim and with the right run he’s capable of breaking through. 2. Charlie Royaleis racing so well and was closing when runner-up in the Bega Cup, with Green Sweet back in third. That form is good and he handles all conditions. Each-way hopes. 5. Breakdance is an up and comer from the Waller yard who scrambled in at Newcastle first-up and has since been back to the trials. Shapes as though the trip will suit and he can’t be left out.

How to play it: Cisco Bay WIN ($3.40 TAB Fixed Odds).

Cisco Bay wins at Warwick Farm on February 9

Happy to stick with 4. Invincible Gangsta who looked the winner at Canterbury two weeks ago when he hit the front wide out in inferior going before being nailed late. No harder here, a soft track is much better than heavy for him, and he’s down 1kg. Chance to atone.

Dangers: 1. Clear The Beach is an interesting runner and a big yard watch first-up. Sparingly raced in the last two years and looked a real talent in mid-2017. Fitter for a recent trial win, drawn well and handles a soft track. Keep safe. 8. Ellie’s Encore is back from a short break and she’s one of those consistent mares who should always be included in a race like this. Winner three back at Randwick and with the claim and barrier one she’s in the mix. 2. Bombarding proved a bit too good in an all the way win here a month ago. Kept fresg and trialled well at Rosehill recently. Goes forward from the wide gate and could take catching.

How to play it: Invincible Gangsta WIN ($3.10 TAB Fixed Odds).

Invincible Gangsta is narrowly beaten at Canterbury on February 8

9. Grimoire has a win in him shortly and he might have his chance in a very winnable race here. Good effort fresh from over a year off then charged late here last week over this course, running a 35.02 last 600m (Punters Intelligence) which was easily best of the race. Has gate one and should be at his peak or close to it now and he’ll be hard to beat.

Dangers: 7. Don’t Leave Me Out was kept ticking over with a trial win since his handy victory here three weeks back. Similar sort of race and he’ll be somewhere in the finish again. 8. Tonsor started a short priced favourite in the same race but had no answer. But has a 2kg turnaround in his favour and he will be fitter for the first-up run. Could turn the tables. 6. The August is worth keeping safe first-up since the Caulfield Guineas. He ran a nice fourth in Group 3 company when resuming last prep then runner-up at 1200m at Caulfield. Latest trial handy enough and he’s a big watch.

How to play it: Grimoire E/W ($4.80 TAB Fixed Odds).

Grimoire finishes strongly to run third at Canterbury on February 15

4. Foreign Territory wasn’t able to lead first-up at Randwick but didn’t disgraced behind Desert Lord and Kolding. That’s not bad form. If he gets some control here he will take plenty of beating.

Dangers: 7. Clevanicc had good support when rounding them up here two weeks ago on the heavy. If he can reproduce that kind of run then he’s one of the main players again. 6. Cascata Rossa comes through the race Chalk won earlier this month and he wasn’t disgraced in running fourth. Thereabouts as usual, blinkers go on so he’s worth including in the chances. 2. Boomtown Rat has produced two nice efforts this time in and is starting to reach his preferred distance range. Wet track no issue for him and he has to be kept safe.

How to play it: Foreign Territory WIN ($2.70 TAB Fixed Odds).

Foreign Territory's first-up run at Randwick on February 6

All the fields, form and replays for Friday’s night meeting at Canterbury