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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 good to soft track.

2. Devil’s Throat is likely to start a short price and rightly so after his luckless second on the Gold Coast first-up. Beaten by the barrier in a big field there but was charging when it was all over to just miss. Less traffic here and chance to atone.

Dangers: 6. With Your Blessing has promised a bit and returns as a gelding which could be significant. Plenty to like about his recent trial cruising just behind them and would only have to reproduce his early efforts around Bacchanalia and Shaquero to go close. 8. Kahawaty had plenty of support at her second start and went down narrowly at Hawkesbury back in August. Two recent trials encouraging and she’s in the mix. 3. New Republic hit the line quite well on debut over 900m at Newcastle and could measure up.

How to play it: Devil’s Throat WIN ($1.50 TAB Fixed Odds) Odds & Evens: EVENS.

Devil’s Throat runs second at Gold Coast on January 15

8. Eleni appears set to run a handy race on debut based on what she’s showing at the trials. She certainly wasn’t asked for anything at all as she was run down in the closing stages in her latest, imagine she’ll be forward from the draw and looks to have strong claims.

Dangers: 11. Troach wasn’t sighted on debut in the Kirkham Plate and has been given some time. Both her trials have had merit, she has gate one and if she can reproduce the trials she can be a factor. 2. Himalaism is a very well bred colt who had his chance on debut behind Fireburn back in mid-December. Since been back to the trials and given the support he had at his only start he’s worth another look back to midweek level. 10. Shenthara showed improvement into her second trial when runner-up to Tragara at Rosehill a couple of weeks ago. Awkward gate but rather include than dismiss.

How to play it: Eleni E/W ($6.00 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Eleni runs second in a trial at Randwick on January 24

5. Sanstoc doesn’t appear to meet any stars her for her debut and if she’s above average she could take beating first-up. Bred to be a middle distance type so distance suits fresh and she finished well to win a 1050m trial a week ago. Check betting but has to be a big chance. Read trainer Mark Newnham's comments here.

Dangers: 4. Jawaani was a drifter in betting at his first start at Newcastle and had every chance as he was run down and finished third. Better for it, drawn one and no surprise if he lifts though may be wanting a bit further. 7. Cairdeas only beat two home at her debut but there was some merit in the run after drawing wide and going back to last. Ran up behind the pack in the straight and once off heels hit the line okay. Extra trip a plus and softer gate may help. 1. Sing A Love Song wasn’t disgraced in the Magic Millions Maiden last start after being outclassed in the Gosford Guineas fresh. Probably goes back and sure to be running on.

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

Sanstoc wins a trial at Randwick on January 24

2. Duchess Adele wasn’t suited back in trip last time and in a race that’s anyone’s to win might be a bit of value. Was shaping up for a win with an improved third-up effort then back to 1400m on a good track found her out at the Farm. Any rain would help her cause.

Dangers: 5. Bella Violet had been threatening prior to breaking through for a Class 1 win at Gosford over a mile a few weeks back. Versatile type in peak form and can measure up. 4. Bedford Square made it three consecutive seconds when just denied by My Demetra at Canterbury. Coming back in trip here but racing very well and while only one win in 13 starts shouldn’t be far away. 6. Always Praying has all the upside and posted her maiden win at start five at Goulburn. On pacer who may get some favours here and is a definite chance.

How to play it: Duchess Adele E/W ($7.50 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Duchess Adele runs sixth at Warwick Farm on January 26

4. Savvy Legend is right on the cusp of a win up slightly in trip now after an eye-catchign second at Canterbury fourth-up. Arguably should have gone close there and has the versatility to adapt to whatever unfolds pace wise. Gets his chance.

Dangers: 2. Reggiewood is the main threat if he can reproduce his excellent local debut placing from Warwick Farm a month ago. Straight up to 1800m with that gap but both previous wins were around the 2000m trip. 6. Main Stage can mix his form but tried hard up on the speed behind White Boots at Randwick. Doesn’t win out of turn so that’s the concern but he can give some cheek. 5. Rules Don’t Apply has been battling a little this time in but after three runs back if she’s going to find a bit of form she has an opportunity here with gate one and James McDonald.

How to play it: Savvy Legend WIN ($4.40 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: EVENS.

Savvy Legend runs second at Canterbury on January 21

1. Easy Campese sets up well to be in the finish of this after three runs back. Found his form again last time following a second-up flop when a close second in Midway at Rosehill and the 1400m is much more up his alley. Last win was here in May and drawn to have his chance with the claim.

Dangers: 7. Rejoiced was scratched from a Midway last weekend for this and is out to make it four wins from five starts. More depth here than he’s faced but he is lightly raced. Popular winner at Wyong over 1350m a couple of weeks ago and has strong claims. 3. Mensa Missile put in a bad one last time at Rosehill up in class and the blinkers come off him. On his previous three runs he’s a major player here. Rolls forward with Tim Clark on and must be respected. 4. Construct was never in the Magic Millions Guineas but if he finds the form from his first-up run at Warwick Farm he’ll be hitting the line strongly.

How to play it: Easy Campese WIN ($3.70 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Easy Campese runs second at Rosehill on January 15

4. Invincible Kiss has been solid in all three runs back and her second placing behind De Grawin last time is good enough for her to be competitive. Plenty of speed here on paper and she’s drawn well with a claim. Good each-way chance.

Dangers: 5. Duchess appeared to have her chance in the same race when resuming with a close up fourth. No doubt she’s fitter here and if gate one is no disadvantage she’ll be on the back of the speed looking for a gap in the straight. Go well. 6. Eyewitness gave a bold sight when resuming at 1200m in a Midway only to be run down late. Back to 1000m but if she finds the lead she can take running down. 1. Quick Tempo won his first five starts before an even effort up in class despite beating just one home. Beaten under two lengths by Silent Impact and with any luck here he can be a factor.

How to play it: Invincible Kiss E/W ($8.50 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Invincible Kiss runs second at Warwick Farm on January 12

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