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By Ray Hickson

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

2. Flying Legend has the strongest form reference coming into this race after a sound first-up third a month ago behind Trope. He goes up 450m but has trialled strongly since his last run and he did look to be wanting a bit of extra ground fresh. Needs some early breaks and he’s very much up to winning this race.

Dangers: 6. Sharapova may be a little under rated as she’s been very good in all three starts to date and strikes a dry track for the first time. The way she found the line behind a runaway winner here last start suggests another 150m won’t hurt her. Good chance. 4. Amangiri made a handy debut running second to Final Award a month ago. She had her chance but can only improve from the experience and has drawn a bit better this time. Go well. 5. Rexx finished between Amangiri and Sharapova here two starts ago then sound again behind Altair at Canterbury. Has the inside gate so can’t be left out.

How to play it: Flying Legend WIN ($4.40 TAB Fixed Odds).

Flying Legend runs third at Randwick on February 6

12. Special Date has looked the goods in a couple of recent trials and importantly she’s shown she can lead or take a trail. Led easily when she cruised around Canterbury a couple of weeks back and if this $500,000 filly brings the same attitude to race day as she does to trials she’ll take beating.

Dangers: 2. Lubuk showed ability in two starts in Queensland in good quality races including chasing home Magic Millions winner Exhilarates on January 5. Plenty of first starters here but this has to be an easier assignment and his recent trial was fine. Must be respected. 6. Grand Zou cost $380,000 and he’s another interesting runner who showed pace when easily winning a Gold Coast trial last month. There must be an opinion of him to come to Sydney so he’s a big watch. 3. Magnate started under double figures in the Canonbury on debut and performed okay on a wet track. Dry track might suit him better and he’s down in class and drawn ideally. Entitled to another chance.

How to play it: Special Date E/W ($4.40 TAB Fixed Odds).

Special Date easily wins a Canterbury trial on February 25

Taking a punt with 6. Commute coming off an easy maiden win at Wyong at her second start. Should land with a drop on the leaders if she doesn’t take it up herself and with question marks over a few rivals she could measure up and is a good each-way hope.

Dangers: 1. Evalina is the best performed horse in the race and has the bonus of a 2kg claim. She was never in it first-up in a much stronger race and has been back to the trials since. More than capable of taking this out and is the logical threat. 4. Gentle Persuasion won well on debut then proved competitive at this level in three subsequent starts. Had a few trials back and a gap of almost six weeks since the latest is a small concern but she’s right in the mix if ready. 2. Ligulate has only won one from 10 and can mix his form but she will be fitter for chasing home Lashes at Hawkesbury first-up. May want further so might be more a place chance.

How to play it: Commute E/W ($6.50 TAB Fixed Odds).

Commute leads all the way to win at Wyong on February 19

2. Divine Breeze is having a mixed preparation but she fits into this race well. Charged from the back at Canterbury two starts ago then sat closer and didn’t really dash but only beaten a length last time in a good form race. Down 2.5kg on that and has her chance.

Dangers: 8. Kylease is the up and comer and she easily shook off her maiden with an all the way win at Gosford a few weeks back. Trialled against a G1 sprinter since then and kept up and she’ll be in this for a long way with the good gate and her racing pattern. 4. I’m So Sweet tried her heart out when she resumed at 1000m here a couple of weeks back running 33 seconds for her last 600m (Punter’s Intelligence). No doubt the 1250m will suit her better and she is a winning chance. 5. Sundarbans was about the same all the way resuming with a sound enough third at Canterbury. Much fitter for this and blinkers go on so she’s well worth including here too.

How to play it: Divine Breeze E/W ($8.50 TAB Fixed Odds).

Divine Breeze’s last start fifth at Canterbury on February 15

5. Classique Legend will be the shortest priced favourite of the day and it’s no surprise after his impressive debut win two weeks ago. He ran the fastest last 600m of the day in 32.64 (Punter’s Intelligence) and looked to do it easily. Up in class and drawn wide but he’s hard to tip against. Read trainer Les Bridge's comments here.

Dangers: 7. Bucephalus looked good on debut in January then didn’t handle the wet track when up to Saturday company a month ago. The draw should see him land handy, a dry track suits and if there is to be an upset he’s probably the one. 2. Level Eight usually performs well fresh and while all three wins have come on good tracks he seems to have a liking for the sting out of the ground. Will get back a bit and be running on, has to be included in the multiples. 3. Waltzing Willie is hard to leave out despite winning at $61 at Canterbury last time. He’s racing consistently, can be on the speed and it wouldn’t surprise to see him fill a placing again, though there’s more depth to this field.

How to play it: Classique Legend WIN ($1.50 TAB Fixed Odds).

Classique Legend’s impressive debut win at Randwick on February 20

5. Wagner is back to midweek company after three runs at Group level in the spring and he’s now a gelding. Brilliant first-up winner at 1100m last prep and he trialled strongly in the lead up to this. With even luck in running he’ll finish over the top of them.

Dangers: 4. The Tenor is another handy type resuming as a gelding and he did run third in a Listed race in October. Unbeaten first-up in easier company and if he has any favours getting onto the speed from the wide gate he’ll be hard to run down. 8. Soul Star is threatening to win a race and she was probably a bit stiff not to break through at Canterbury las start when held up at a vital stage before going down narrowly. Light weight and inside gate will give her every chance. 7. Up Trumpz ran well at Warwick Farm over 1000m two starts ago then again ran on at Canberra. Down a bit in weight after the claim and has an each-way show.

How to play it: Wagner WIN ($2.00 TAB Fixed Odds).

Wagner wins a Randwick trial on February 7

6. Desert Lord goes on top and his biggest danger is himself. He’s refused to settle in his last couple but was still too good over this course two runs ago before up 150m and over racing badly when third two weeks ago. No harder here and if he can settle okay he’ll win. If he doesn’t he’s very beatable.

Dangers: 5. The August ran a nice race when resuming for the Waller stable and you had to like the way he flattened out to chase them late. Fitter and the extra 200m is in his favour, he took on some handy races last prep and he’s a threat – especially if Desert Lord plays up. 8. Tarbert is hard to line up but comes to town having won four of his six starts this time in. Must have really been on his game at Coffs Harbour last time because he put seven lengths on his opposition! Knows how to win so he could measure up. 1. Gauguin ran a blinder first-up in Saturday company behind You Make Me Smile at 100/1. Class drop and distance increase are pluses and he should be able to be on the pace in this field. Must respect.

How to play it: Desert Lord WIN ($2.70 TAB Fixed Odds).

Desert Lord’s last start third at Randwick on February 20

1. Animalia will get back from the wide gate but there looks enough speed on paper to give him his chance to run on. He’s been going around in open company in the country then ran on well into second over a mile at Warwick Farm. Down in class, not badly weighted with the claim and he’s a good each-way hope at least.

Dangers: 3. Fun Fact didn’t have a lot of luck when a close third at his second run back at Canterbury and now he’s out to this distance range he can be dangerous. Will need some luck from the barrier but with the speed expected to be solid enough he should have his chance. 5. Judge Judi has been brave in defeat at her last couple where she’s been softened up and fought on gamely to be narrowly beaten. Out in distance and up in weight but drawn well. If she can settle with cover she’s a big chance, vulnerable if she leads. 11. Righteousness wasn’t disgraced first-up staying on from on the speed and she’s going to relish the step up in trip. Eligible for easier races but has upside and is an each-way hope.

How to play it: Animalia E/W ($6.50 TAB Fixed Odds).

Animalia runs second at Warwick Farm on February 9

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