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By Ray Hickson

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

3. Cantiamo looks to be a different horse to the one that led the Inglis Nursery on debut back in December based on what she’s shown in three trials since. Sat back and cruised down the middle to score at Gosford in the latest and should take beating.

Dangers: 1. Artistic Venture promised quite a bit in her first preparation and she ran fourth in that Inglis Nursery on debut before placing in the Millennium. Two runs in Golden Slipper lead ups were sound, she’s trialling well and no surprise if she’s come right on too. 4. Rajwa won a short trial about a month ago then close up in a 1045m heat at Randwick in her latest. Must respect the stable and if she handles the ground can show up. 2. Autumn Blonde was placed behind Marhoona hen resuming back in February and ran well in the Sweet Embrace after that. Trials have been fair but on her race form she has to be included.

How to play it: Cantiamo WIN ($2.10 TAB Fixed Odds).

Cantiamo wins a Gosford trial on July 23

1. Sanctified is back as a gelding after showing some ability in good two-year-old company earlier in the year including a Black Opal placing. Wasn’t pushed to win his trial a couple of weeks ago, drawn well and the claim is a plus. Expect he’s one of the main chances.

Dangers: 2. Sixties has the race fitness on his side having run a solid second at Canterbury three weeks ago on a soft 7. The third horse has since won. Likely has to push forward again and a repeat effort has him in the finish. 5. Iniesta is a well bred colt on debut out of the smart mare Nieta and he was a nice enough trial winner in his latest hitout. Did look sharper in his April trial win but have to keep him safe. 4. Clear Blue Day was ridden up to win his first trial then held together behind the placings in the latest. Has the inside alley in what will be a small field and is in the mix.

How to play it: Sanctified WIN ($3.50 TAB Fixed Odds).

Sanctified wins a Rosehill trial on July 29

1. Tazima is worth another chance after being outpointed second-up as a short-priced favourite at Warwick Farm two weeks ago on a deteriorating track. Fresh run at this track was excellent and with the claim is only up 1.5kg for a handy class drop.

Dangers: 2. Autumn Dream was finding the line quite well just behind the placings at the same meeting and she might be ready for the step up in distance. Hard fit and this is no harder so is a major player. 8. Indigo Star is still a maiden after eight starts but is rarely far away. Just a shade disappointing last time but James McDonald stays on and drawn to have his chance again. 5. Starphistocated has been thereabouts on wet tracks with a Newcastle win three back and a placing at Canterbury in this grade prior to an even fourth in a Midway at Randwick. Tricky gate but wet track brings him right into it.

How to play it: Tazima WIN ($3 TAB Fixed Odds).

Tazima runs second at Warwick Farm on July 30

3. Crop Duster is quite a good wet tracker and has found an open sort of race in favourable conditions. Made a heap of ground from the back at Randwick last time in a stronger race and finds a softer gate than his last two handy efforts. Good each-way chance.

Dangers: 5. Johnny The Kid resumes and notched his maiden win at this track back in September. Fitter for a couple of recent trials, gelded and should be prominent from the start. Check betting for a pointer. 1. Axius won well at this track when resuming then disappointing in fourth in his second-up run where he looked to have every chance. Back a notch in grade, was placed on a soft 7 at this track on debut but yet to see heavy. Has a show but is vulnerable. 7. The Replicant is always around the mark and finally broke through on the heavy at Warwick Farm two weeks ago. He won’t be far away again.

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

Crop Duster’s last start at Randwick on July 26

6. Passeggiata resumes for a new stable and owners and holds the key to this race. She’s speedy and has looked a little more controlled in her two recent trial wins which is encouraging. Handles a wet track, makes her own luck up front and if she jumps cleanly will be hard to run down.

Dangers: 4. Jambalaya was expected to fare a little better when resuming on the heavy at Warwick Farm as favourite but weakened after leading. Has to be fitter for that, and we’ll find out if it was the wet track on another heavy surface here. 10. Monte Supreme is an interesting runner first-up for the new stable of Bjorn Baker. Has always been handy but a little hit and miss. Wound up okay late in her second trial, the 1000m may be sharp but she should be hitting the line well. 7. Moonlight Gambler went for a break with back-to-back wins at the provincials to his name. Lightly raced and on the way up, yet to see a heavy but if he handles it he’ll have his chance to show up.

How to play it: Passeggiata WIN ($3.30 TAB Fixed Odds).

Passeggiata wins a Rosehill trial on July 29

2. Bat Out Of Hell is a proven wet tracker who is racing well without winning this time in. Backs up after a solid second as favourite at Canterbury last week where he was just held up at a vital stage. Puts himself near the speed and can’t do anything but run another good race.

Dangers: 10. Barbray was a month between runs and tried his luck very wide on the track when fourth at Rosehill earlier this month. Won his maiden on a heavy track and is sure to be competitive. 8. Narbold comes through the same race where he ran second and should also be around the mark again. Has just one win in 12 starts now which is becoming a concern but has every chance. 4. I’ve Bean Tryin’ was never in the hunt last time but there has been some merit in his runs before that against much stronger Saturday company. Revels in heavy ground and if there’s an upset he could provide it.

How to play it: Bat Out Of Hell WIN ($5 TAB Fixed Odds).

Bat Out Of Hell runs second at Canterbury on August 6

16. Saltcoats is ready to win after two runs back with his third in the Winter Challenge a sign he’s looking for this sort of trip now. The shift to the inner track is potentially a negative for him but if the inside draw is not against him by this stage he should still be hard to beat.

Dangers: 12. Glory Daze was a heavy track winner at Randwick three starts back and has been competitive in two subsequent runs, all at 2000m. Kept fresh and loves the wet ground, he has to be respected. 13. Royal Supremacy found something like his best form when scoring at Randwick at his third Australian start. Needs to repeat on a heavy track but has the chance to hold his form now. 3. Asterix ran some nice races early in his autumn prep before being outclassed in the Tancred Stakes. Proven heavy tracker and this trip fresh holds no fears. Each-way claims.

How to play it: Saltcoats WIN ($3 TAB Fixed Odds).

Saltcoats runs third at Rosehill on July 19

10. Killer Kerr has been racing in great form on heavy tracks of late and his effort to run third at Rosehill from last on the turn was outstanding. Won on a heavy 10 at Warwick Farm three back and the form around his fifth between those runs ties into this race. Has an each-way case.

Dangers: 3. La Roja found herself last on the turn when resuming at Canterbury and she was warming up at the end of the 1250m there to run into a promising second. Fitter for that and while not exposed to a heavy track if she gets through it she’s the one to beat. 1. Harry’s Bar won the Midway at Rosehill that Killer Kerr contested (running fifth) and she will put herself on the speed again. Placed on a heavy 8 when resuming this time in and has to be respected. 4. Lady Boss doesn’t win out of turn but she was typically competitive when runner-up at this track a month ago. She prefers the sting out of the track so conditions suit and she is a chance again.

How to play it: Killer Kerr EACH-WAY ($26 TAB Fixed Odds).

Killer Kerr runs third at Rosehill on August 2

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