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By Ray Hickson

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

3. Golden Century went under as a short priced favourite at Wyong second-up and he’s set to be short again here but he’s worth another chance on two fronts. He had to make a long run at Wyong, and hung around the turn and he appears ready for the extra trip. Sure to be hard to beat.

Dangers: 4. The Big Blue was six weeks between runs going into a 1500m maiden at Newcastle last time where he recorded a third placing on end for the preparation. Bred to like a bit more ground and he’s likely to be fitter. 6. Hammoon Heroine was runner-up in the same race at what was her second race start. Another on the way up and should be respected. 1. Extra Power has led and boxed on fairly on heavy tracks at his past two starts at Newcastle. No easier here though so has a place hope.

How to play it: Golden Century WIN ($1.55 TAB Fixed Odds).

Golden Century runs second at Wyong on August 30

4. Pompatus was shuffled out to last on the turn on debut at Newcastle but picked himself up to run a closing third in the 1400m maiden. Has to be better for it, draws well and the extra 150m appears up his alley and he can handle a wet track. Good chance to improve.

Dangers: 7. Koibito made a handy debut at Kensington then battled on well despite clearly not loving the heavy 10 at Warwick Farm when runner-up three weeks ago. She’s definitely worth another chance. 3. Officiate sprinted like he was the winner at Kensington two weeks back only to be ambushed late. Jumps 300m but draws kindly and a repeat effort, noting he was a $19 chance, sees him competitive. 5. Precise Star has improved with each run and was holding on okay when runner-up at Newcastle, just ahead of Pompatus, at his third start. Has to be considered.

How to play it: Pompatus EACH-WAY ($7.00 TAB Fixed Odds).

Pompatus runs third at Newcastle on August 23

8. Pimlico resumes in a wide open race having run third at Hawkesbury back in May behind a subsequent city winner. Given some time and he attacked the line strongly to win his second trial a couple of weeks back. One on the way up who has a winning hope.

Dangers: 6. Night Agent is an interesting runner on debut for the Lees camp. He’s won his past three trials, the second of them the most impressive. Just got there last time on a heavy track. JMac rides and draws to have his chance. 5. Extractor has promised a fair bit being placed in a Golden Gift last year and another stakes race in February. Closed off without posing a big threat first-up as an odds-on favourite at Gosford. In the mix. 7. Nordic Viking was also exposed to some stronger company earlier in the year and ran fourth in a Black Opal among them. Nice recent trial win and is one of many chances.

How to play it: Pimlico EACH-WAY ($5.50 TAB Fixed Odds).

Pimlico runs third in a Rosehill trial on August 28

4. In Summer doesn’t know how to run a bad race and she was back 300m on her Newcastle win when hitting the line into second at Kensington two weeks ago. Looks to be reasonable speed engaged to offset the barrier and she’s sure to be strong at the finish. Go well.

Dangers: 3. Fioprospero is racing honestly and has been freshened up with a month between runs since being beaten as favourite at Eagle Farm over 2400m. Draws to do no work and likely he’ll be in the finish somewhere. 1. The Years won successive midweek races on heavy tracks before leading and weakening as favourite at Kensington two weeks ago. Perhaps leading isn’t his go and he could bounce back with a sit. 8. Luskaire led most of the way as a solid favourite to break through at Goulburn on a heavy track on their Cup day. Been around the mark before that and has a show.

How to play it: In Summer EACH-WAY ($8.00 TAB Fixed Odds).

In Summer runs second at Kensington on August 27

11. Central Coast takes on older horses fresh but the form around his two two-year-old runs has stood up nicely. Nabbed by Autumn Boy on debut then too good for Crossbow on a soft track back in June. Tuned up with a couple of trials. A bit would be expected of him this spring.

Dangers: 10. Golden Straand can be forgiven for a heavy track failure at Warwick Farm some six weeks ago. Good effort in a handy Saturday BM72 field before that and did the job well in a recent trial. Capable of bouncing back. 7. Theblade has started under $3 in three runs since winning on debut a year ago. Latest of them was another fourth when resuming at Doomben a few weeks back. Softer ground probably aids him so has to be included. 3. Mawjood is now with Bjorn Baker and has performed well fresh previously. Led the latest trial behind Lord Of Biscay here a few weeks back. Market a decent pointer to him first-up.

How to play it: Central Coast WIN ($2.70 TAB Fixed Odds).

Central Coast wins at Canterbury in June

5. Ringarosa has been competitive since joining the Dale yard and perhaps the heavy 10 was just a bit too deep for her when placed at Warwick Farm three weeks ago. Narrowly beaten by Slinky at this track prior. Good each-way hope again.

Dangers: 6. Akaysha is potentially the best horse in the race as she resumes since running third in the Woodlands Stakes at the Scone carnival in May. Must respect her. 3. Mergeila has been scratched a number of times of late and it’s now almost a year since her maiden win at this track and distance. Measured up in Saturday company after that before her long break. Keep safe. 8. Rapbidash is a handy mare on her day now in the Bjorn Baker stable. She’s won two from four first-up and no surprise if she runs into the finish fresh.

How to play it: Ringarosa EACH-WAY ($10 TAB Fixed Odds).

Ringarosa runs third at Warwick Farm on August 20

4. United Kingdom did a good job in testing conditions when he resumed with a close second at Warwick Farm three weeks ago. Possibly in inferior ground as well but didn’t give up the chase. Fitter for that, a bit better going would be a plus and the trip suits. Sure to take beating.

Dangers: 3. The Replicant ran third in the same race at the Farm before returning there last week and just getting the better of Starman to win. He’s racing in career best form at the moment and can’t be left out of the main chances. 2. Captain Maverick has been mixing distances of late with placings at a mile, 1900m and 2000m. Back in class here on last time and is in the conversation again. 6. Zip On By is worth considering if the ground becomes a bit testing having scored a nice win on a heavy 10 at Newcastle a month ago. In form at present so could measure up.

How to play it: United Kingdom WIN ($4.20 TAB Fixed Odds).

United Kingdom runs second at Warwick Farm on August 20

All the fields, form and replays for Wednesday’s Canterbury meeting