Latest News

By Ray Hickson

Tips and race by race preview by Ray Hickson for Wednesday’s Kensington meeting at Randwick. Selections based on a good to soft track.

3. Entente has been well found in the betting on the back of a very impressive trial win but he’s clearly the horse to beat. Tracked wide throughout and still looked strong in the 1030m trial and from gate three should lead or be right with them.

Dangers: 2. Promotions showed plenty of fight when just outpointed late by stablemate Avon River a month ago after leading. Nice quiet trial since and looms as a serious danger. 1. Petronius was no match for the winner when he resumed at Canterbury two weeks ago and he seemed to have his chance. Could be looking for the extra trip and is fitter so entitled to another chance. 11. War Baron no doubt has the ability to win this race but he is proving costly. Travelled okay until they sprinted at Canterbury a month ago and was then found wanting. This is his 10th start, he’s threatened a lot but can’t be left out.

How to play it: Entente WIN ($2.60 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Entente wins a trial at Rosehill on August 20

10. Super Oasis is a promising filly coming off a superb win at Kembla first-up where she overcame a heap of trouble to score a soft win. Gets back so the wide alley is no issue and there looks enough speed on paper for her to have her chance. Take holding out. Read trainer Mark Newnham's comments here.

Dangers: 11. Point Of Interest looked good on debut back in February in a 900m scamper and the second of her two trials this time in suggests she will run well here fresh. Drawn to be handy and an improving track is in her favour. Keep safe. 2. All Cylinders was kept busy up on the speed and found wanting late in a much stronger race when resuming here last month. Easiest race he’s been in since his maiden win on debut and if he gets any peace he’s capable of being in the finish. 7. Standout beat four rivals at Gosford on debut in very good style and looks to have the tactical nous to give him the chance to measure up.

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

Super Oasis wins at Kembla Grange on August 8

At the better price 8. Human Nature is worth giving another chance despite his defeat at short odds at Kembla first-up. Drops 4.5kg, drawn much better, fitter and he was always working first-up so to go down narrowly it was still a big effort. Can bounce back.

Dangers: 1. Royal Witness is unbeaten at the 1000m here and downed a subsequent winner when scoring in a close finish on August 17. He will be right up there all the way as usual and can be hard to get past despite a 2.5kg lift in weight. 7. Koonunga produced a slick turn of foot from last when finishing 2.6 lengths behind Royal Witness here last start and while meeting him on the same weight terms she has a soft gate so can race handier and is capable of giving them a fright. 2. Sheriff has trialled up nicely for a return and he took on much stronger company at his last two runs before a spell. Hasn’t won below 1200m but well worth keeping an eye on fresh.

How to play it: Human Nature WIN ($3.80 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Human Nature runs third at Kembla Grange on August 17

1. Castel Sant’angelo would be close to odds-on had he drawn a barrier and he’s well worth the gamble that he’ll get across from the wide gate here. Led easily at Warwick Farm three weeks ago and beat a subsequent winner with a big gap to third. No harder here and should take beating.

Dangers: 5. Penshurst was only getting warm at the end of 1900m second-up and he didn’t miss a placing by much. Fitter and the staying trip suits him. If there’s a danger to the top weight he’s it with all the upside. 3. Equipped is on the back up from an improved second at Wyong last Sunday on a heavy track and while he has only won three races a better surface will assist. Consistent type when he finds form, drawn to get a nice enough run and can show up. 2. Breakdance had a comfortable margin on fair opposition when breaking through at Newcastle over a similar trip. Not a whole lot harder really aside from a couple of his opposition and he could easily be in the finish.

How to play it: Castel Sant’angelo WIN ($3.60 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Castel Sant’angelo leads all the way at Warwick Farm on August 14

10. Duchess Of Lennox is worth a look each-way here even though the race might not be run to suit. She’s a promising mare with a big finish on her and her recent trial is nowhere near as bad as it looks on paper. Be surprised if she’s not charging home late.

Dangers: 5. Zalatte won her first three starts but missed a place in all five runs last time in albeit in much, much better company. She’s had two jump outs at Flemington, no official Sydney trials, if she’s in the form that won her those first three she will beat these. That’s the gamble. 2. Falcon Island could find himself with a soft lead and he should improve on his first-up effort here in Saturday company. Can mix his form but if he does dictate he could be hard to run down. 3. Mapmaker has shown a return to form in his past two and it was a game effort here on August 17 running third. From the soft draw he can be prominent.

How to play it: Duchess Of Lennox E/W ($5.50 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Duchess Of Lennox’s trial at Randwick on August 27

2. Rock looks to have the race run to suit his style of sitting off the pace and sprinting, as he did when scoring easily first-up at Canterbury running a last 600m of 33.93 (Punter's Intelligence). Has run well here previously, this is no harder and with even luck he should get away with this one too.

Dangers: 4. Juventus as heavily backed when resuming at Warwick Farm and got the job done. James McDonald stays on board, he’s drawn to get a soft run and he only has to hold form to be a major player. 1. Final Award was a Listed winner last preparation and he showed improvement into his second trial a few weeks ago. Big weight but has won here and he could also be hard to hold out with a bit of tempo up front. 14. Danawi was scratched from the fifth to contest this race. Plenty to like about how he lifted third-up despite having a tough run and the form out of the race has stacked up okay.

How to play it: Rock WIN ($2.15 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: EVENS.

Rock wins at Canterbury on August 21

7. Lakia is a good chance to find the lead on her own again here and if that’s the case she can take some running down. Had support when she controlled the race at Canterbury first-up and held a dominant margin on the line. Can only be fitter and while meeting potentially a smart one she’ll give a sight.

Dangers: 11. Subpoenaed gave away a huge start and found the headway too much to make up, though she got close, at her local debut at Canterbury. She ran 11.01 for her last 200m, the fastest of the race (Punter's Intelligence). Extra 100m a plus but she’ll likely get back again. Keep an eye out for any change of tactics notifications, if she goes forward she’ll be even harder to beat than she looks now. 6. Exotic Ruby won well on debut then measured up against a couple of promising ones on this track on August 17 running a handy third. Drawn to get another nice run and has to be considered. 10. Celestial Falls could run a nice race fresh, her two trials have been in open company and the latest not bad at all. On a staying preparation but still lightly raced and look for her running on.

How to play it: Lakia E/W ($4.80 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Lakia leads all the way at Canterbury on August 21

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