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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.

8. Triple Two Eight made quite a promising debut at Warwick Farm in what’s proven to be a handy form race so far. It didn’t help her cause when she was slowly away, putting her out of play, but she was stronger than anything on the line as she charged into third. Better for that and she’s a big chance.

Dangers: 2. Miss Jones isn’t far off a win and while beaten favourite last start at this track she did hit the line okay after getting well back early. Up to 1200m a plus and she’s hard to beat. 3. From The Peak comes through the same race where she looked to have her chance in running fifth, weakening a touch late. Only had the two starts to date and entitled to another chance. 5. Kerber is now with Chris Waller and there was a bit to like about how she finished off her second trial for the stable. Only start was at Listed level and she had some support at odds but was safely held. Keep safe.

How to play it: Triple Two Eight WIN ($3.90 TAB Fixed Odds).

Triple Two Eight runs third at Warwick Farm on July 2

2. Kokatahi faces a bit of a challenge from the outside barrier but the form around him couldn’t be much stronger for this time of year. Close up here on debut then loomed before peaking at the 1400m with a month between runs at Randwick behind Tomato Toastie and Crossbow. Should go close with even luck.

Dangers: 7. Skyglider is stablemate to the favourite and he showed a bit of toe to be up near the speed in his latest trial before edging away to win nicely. Could pose an obstacle. 6. Extra Heights showed some nice improvement into his second trial where he was strong late down the outside to run into second at Randwick two weeks ago. Must be respected. 1. Sonic Scene was a big drifter on debut at this track but was far from disgraced beaten under three lengths by Infusion. No surprise if he’s placed.

How to play it: Kokatahi WIN ($2.50 TAB Fixed Odds).

Kokatahi runs third at Randwick on July 12

8. Maquisa is racing out of her grade as a maiden but there’s been nothing wrong with her two efforts this time in against some handy ones. Held up at a vital stage at Canterbury two weeks ago before running into second. Gets a nice run here and should be competitive.

Dangers: 2. Shalaa Gold went to a break a winner after leading all the way as favourite at Warwick Farm back in January, breaking through at start six. Trials have been excellent and expect he’ll roll forward and be in the firing line for a long way. 4. Kilonova won well on debut then resumed in a small field two weeks ago and was just touched out by a promising one in Signor Tortoni. Back 100m but fitter and a definite chance. 6. Bev’s Nine was a popular winner on debut at Wyong earlier this month where she sat up handy and forged away in the straight. Outside gate here likely forces her forward again but hard to knock otherwise.

How to play it: Maquisa EACH-WAY ($7 TAB Fixed Odds).

Maquisa runs second at Canterbury on July 9

5. Amreekiyah looks a promising filly and she resumes after solid wins at Kembla Grange and Newcastle earlier this year. Strong at the finish of her second trial to win at Hawkesbury and while she will excel over more ground this is a nice kick off point and she should take beating.

Dangers: 4. Ringarosa looks the big threat. She was pretty solid in her resumption for the new stable at Warwick Farm, running on late down the outside on a day you needed to be closer in. Fitter for that, drawn well and her best has her right in the finish. 1. Island Dream showed promise in her first preparation winning twice including at BM72 level at Rosehill in February. Drawn well, claim helps and she’ll improve on whatever she does here. 12. Moonlight Dream is a consistent filly who boxed on okay last start at this track in a small field. Back to fillies and mares and has an each-way show.

How to play it: Amreekiyah WIN ($2.25 TAB Fixed Odds).

Amreekiyah wins a Hawkesbury trial on July 7

1. No Drama is a what you see is what you get type who likes to lead and has proven quite effective around this course. Just worried out of it last time by a horse who has won again since. Rises 0.5kg but drawn to find the fence first and can take running down.

Dangers: 2. Anythink Goes has been racing well without winning of late and comes back a notch in class after a few runs in Saturday company. Ran on well late into fifth at Randwick last time and the extra 150m might be what he’s looking for. Each-way claims at least. 3. Galano lumped 65kg to an easy first-up win at Muswellbrook two weeks ago and with the claim drops 6kg on that. He’s been around the mark in town with a second over 1900m here before a spell among his form. Has to be included in the chances. 8. Delrico found the line when the race was all over here two weeks ago and probably should have finished a bit closer. Was a month between runs so fitter and a likely improver.

How to play it: No Drama WIN ($6.50 TAB Fixed Odds).

No Drama runs second at Canterbury on June 18

6. La Roja was a nice winner first-up last preparation and raced well after that in handy company including a fourth in the Canberra Guineas. Second trial was quite pleasing and kicking off at this trip looks to be suitable. Sure to run a big race fresh.

Dangers: 2. Pretty Powerful had no luck when resuming at Randwick a month ago and while back slightly in trip he’s ticked over with a trial where he found the line pretty well. Whether it’s this run or next time he’s looking close to a win. 10. The Replicant knows how to put himself in the finish but doesn’t often win. He gave Hanau a decent battle when runner-up here second-up and with that inside gate will have every chance to be thereabouts again. 1. Metaphorically pulled up mildly lame after failing badly behind Getafix a month ago at Kensington where he was solid in the market. Has trialled since and while the gate isn’t in his favour he does race handy so may be able to overcome it.

How to play it: La Roja WIN ($5 TAB Fixed Odds)

La Roja runs second in a Hawkesbury trial on July 7

8. Elle Hudson was excellent when resuming with a placing behind Getafix then put out of play by a riderless horse nearing the turn second-up but still did a good job to pick up and run on. Trip is ideal for him and gets weight relief for a modest class rise. Go well.

Dangers: 3. Sly Boots is fitter for two runs back from a spell in Saturday grade and he’s been handy enough in them to say he’s just about ready to improve. Far from disgraced second-up in a race dominated by the winner on speed and has to be respected. 4. Centenario was in the right place to pounce second-up when winning here over 1550m two weeks ago. Drawn ideally to be right on the speed and is a definite chance. 7. Hovland started a warm favourite over this course last time and while unplaced he was just in the wrong spot at the wrong time. Only beaten just over a length. Will need to find a spot from the draw but entitled to another chance.

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

Elle Hudson runs sixth at Canterbury on July 9

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