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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 soft track.

6. Willowy did more than enough on debut three weeks ago to suggest she can improve with an extra 100m. That day it was helpful to be on the fence and she made her run down the middle so the effort had more merit than it looked. Hard to beat if it’s an even deck.

Dangers: 10. Mikasa could be a big improver. She contested the same race and finished last but raced wide all the way and was only beaten four lengths. Gate one this time and if there’s an upset it could be her. 1. Antonio Giovanni is a well related colt on debut, a half brother to Press Statement, and he stretched out well to win a trial at Rosehill earlier this month. Respect the Waller/McDonald combination and betting a good pointer. 3. Vyner had his chance on debut back in June but ran well for second on a heavy track. Fitter for two recent trials and well worth including.

How to play it: Willowy WIN ($4.00 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: EVENS.

Willowy runs third at Kensington on August 25

7. I Am Brazen trialled very well before her debut where she was slowly out and found herself last. Beaten only two lengths in a slowly run race so the run wasn’t bad and she was well supported there too. Give another chance.

Dangers: 12. Mayrose was very green on debut but hit the line strongly then seemed to have her chance late when runner-up again at Goulburn. Well fancied at both starts and has gate one this time so interesting to see where she lands and is worth respecting. 8. Lady Fraulein won a Gosford trial in early July and hasn’t been seen since a close third in a Warwick Farm heat on July 23. In top stable and drawn okay so is one to keep an eye on in a winnable race. 5. The Poacher has looked good in two trial wins and runs here in preference to Kembla tomorrow. Keep safe.

How to play it: I Am Brazen E/W ($4.60 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

I Am Brazen’s debut at Gosford on August 27

3. Dream Runner jumped from this trip to 2400m last start and wasn’t disgraced in third place. His two runs at this trip prior were excellent and he gets back onto a soft track which is a big plus. Good chance to bounce back.

Dangers: 6. Khaalis was almost four weeks between runs when second-up at Gosford last week and he finished a close fourth. Note some support there too so was expected to run well and could be harder to beat this time. 1. California Longbow produced a nice effort here first-up then sound enough second-up at a mile where he held his ground. An extra 200m a plus and is back in class on those runs. Can show up. 8. Narrated comes off a soft Mudgee Class 1 win but she might find the lead here and if she gets her own way could take running down.

How to play it: Dream Runner E/W ($5.50 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Dream Runner finishes third at Kensington on September 1

6. Ita is racing in career best form and taking big steps, no reason she can’t take another one here. Dominant at Bathurst then handled the class rise nicely at Wyong. Drawn well, handles all conditions and hard to beat.

Dangers: 7. Crazy Train is another lightly raced mare racing well and is also a last start Wyong winner over a mile. Comes through a good form race at Kembla before that and no surprise to see her measure up. 5. Head Of State has drawn wide but his two runs back have been okay and drops out of Group 3 company last time. Raced on the pace in only win. 1. Come Along fought back after being headed to win over this course two weeks ago. Any improvement in the track is a plus for him.

How to play it: Ita WIN ($2.15 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Ita wins at Wyong on September 3

6. Promise Of Success is back for her second prep with John O’Shea and she showed a heap of talent in three runs in the winter. Produced a huge finish to miss narrowly over this course back in July and if the pattern is fair she will take holding out.

Dangers: 4. Calgary Queen was well supported first-up and got the job done leading all the way at 1250m here three weeks ago on a heavy track. Up 2kg but draws to be prominent and she does look above average. Go well. Read trainer Brad Widdup's comments here. 5. French Bonnet won three of her six starts in her first prep and based on her trials she looks to have come back in good order. The 1300m fresh suits and she’s not to be underestimated. 8. Found Our Thrill is an interesting runner back from a Victorian campaign. Game when runner-up at Sandown two starts ago and she could give some cheek on the pace.

How to play it: Promise Of Success WIN ($2.40 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: EVENS.

Promise Of Success runs second at Kensington on July 7

5. Torun has the wide gate to contend with but barrier three didn’t afford him any luck when beaten first-up at Wyong. We’ll never know if he’d have won that but he certainly wasn’t able to be tested. Needs some luck of course but big threat.

Dangers: 1. I Say Hello was outclassed in The Coast back in May but her form prior included a Group 3 placing and a couple of impressive wins. Nice recent trial and she’s one of the main chances. 9. Overmann has shown promise and returns after finishing down the track in the G1 JJ Atkins. Was shaping up okay before that and is a market watch fresh. 12. Kalino showed some promise earlier this year and wasn't far behind Overmann at Rosehill in May. Drawn well and could show up.

How to play it: Torun E/W ($10 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Torun finishes fifth at Wyong on September 3

3. Promotions hasn’t won for a while but this is his best chance in some time coming back in class of a couple of solid Saturday company performances. Chased Kingsheir two starts back then close up behind Madam Legend last time. Drawn well, handles all conditions. Go close.

Dangers: 7. Super Contender loomed up to win when resuming here two weeks ago and was just outpointed late. Fitter for that, will need a bit of luck from the wide alley but off that encouraging return he’s right in this. 9. Sequana has been sound in two runs back from a spell and just relies on a fair pattern and a bit of luck from the barrier. One of the main hopes. 10. Obvious Step had a bit of specking at odds when resuming in what was a strong Midway at Kembla recently. Fitter for that and while she can be hit and miss she’s not to be overlooked here.

How to play it: Promotions WIN ($5.00 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Promotions runs fifth at Kembla Grange on August 28

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