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By Ray Hickson

Tips and race by race preview by Ray Hickson for Wednesday’s Warwick Farm meeting. Selections based on a soft 5-6 track.

Must give 3. Rotator another chance. She was badly positioned in the run last start and the race was beyond her when she finally found room. Hit the line nicely there and this is her first look at a maiden in five starts. D-day for her but hard to go past.

Dangers: 1. Splendid Surprise is the main threat according to the market and it looks that way on paper too. He bumped into what looks a smart one on the same day as Rotator’s last run where he was gunned down late. Will be right on the speed and is dangerous. 7. Special Snap improved with the blinkers going on as she raced much closer and was just touched out late at Canterbury. Expect she’ll be up there once again and is one of the chances. 9. Ruby Tuesday has trialled up nicely enough and you had to like the way she finished off her trial at Hawkesbury. Not out of it.

How to play it: Rotator WIN ($2.10 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Rotator’s last start fourth at Randwick on June 26

10. L’Cosmo is bursting to win a race and while runner-up in three maidens this time in this is not any stronger. Left it all a bit too late at Gosford last time and was run down after leading here prior to that. Looks a good chance.

Dangers: 9. Satin Socks won what has been a handy form race first-up at Kembla Grange and she will get all the favours from barrier one with the claim. 4. Academy is a half-brother to Smartedge on debut and he will relish 1200m first-up after running on strongly late in his trial over 798m. Drawn well and in blinkers, pay to keep him safe. 8. Royal Marine was no match for the winner on debut but fitter and a firmer track probably helps. Worth some thought.

How to play it: L'Cosmo E/W ($5.00 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: EVENS.

L'Cosmo runs second at Gosford on July 2

No speed here and 2. Watchdog has his chance to run out a strong mile with plenty of things in his favour. Had excuses at his last run at a mile and his two runs since have been honest. Drawn to be right behind the speed and has Hugh Bowman. Plenty to like.

Dangers: 6. Nacho Libre is another who will race on the pace and he chased home a handy type at Newcastle last start over the mile. He’s put a few consistent runs together and a firming track is a plus. Each-way. 7. Weekend Affair has a low percentage racing style and was again beaten in a close finish at Canterbury two weeks ago in a slowly run race. Will be running on and can’t be left out of the chances. 8. He’s A Given backs up again after scoring on a heavy track here last week. Always races well this track but the drying surfaces takes away his edge and he’s zero for 13 attempts at the mile.

How to play it: Watchdog WIN ($3.30 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: EVENS.

Watchdog’s last start third on a heavy Kensington track at Randwick on June 26

1. Front Sight is a promising horse and shook off the maiden tag with easy at Wyong second-up. Three city starts have all been nice efforts in strong maidens and from the inside he can control his own destiny. The one to beat.

Dangers: 6. Wimlah resumed with a tidy effort behind Haut Brion Her at Canterbury and if she can go up a notch from that she’s in the mix. Another who will race handy and looks a contender. 7. Achondrite is an interesting runner. She resumes at a suitable trip but hasn’t been seen at any official trials this time in. She was cut down by Mizzy on debut and was competitive with some nice three-year-olds before winning at Gosford. Watch betting. 2. Quick Finance was a beaten favourite at Hawkebsury last start but coming back to 1400m on a better surface will be in his favour. He’ll race handy and could easily stay on for a placing.

How to play it: Front Sight WIN ($2.25 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Front Sight wins at Wyong on June 20

13. Bedivere ran well at Canterbury second-up then endured a wide run and had no right to run second at Gosford a couple of weeks back. This is no harder, has a nice weight drop and Brenton Avdulla to ride. Should be in the finish.

Dangers: 4. Snippetspeed was the beneficiary of Bevidere’s wide run and he has to be considered a chance again as he’ll be afforded a similar run. Is 2kg worse off at the weights so that should even them up. Go well. 1. Kaapfever raced a lot handier than usual last start and was able to hang on over the Randwick 2400m. Coming back 200m on his home track are pluses and a better surface helps too. He should run well though is up 7kg. 5. Terwilliker is another who will appreciate a soft track and he wasn’t disgraced in the Stayers Cup though clearly found 3200m on a heavy track a bit too much. No surprise to see him feature.

How to play it: Bedivere E/W ($5.00 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Bedivere runs an unlucky second to Snippetspeed at Gosford on July 2

5. Think Free is going to love the return to a soft track and she was right on the heels of Phaistos when fourth at Rosehill last start on heavy ground. If she can land in a tracking spot again she will be hard to hold out.

Dangers: 7. Handspun ran fifth in the same race as Think Free finishing almost two lengths astern. She did hit the line well from a long way back there and will also appreciate firmer footing. Looks the logical threat. 9. Unknown Universe is an under-rated gelding who sat on the speed and was a bit too tough when resuming at Gosford. The 1400m only assists and he’s not to be underestimated. 1. Oneness comes back from Saturday class and would be aided by the improving track too. Should run well.

How to play it: Think Free WIN ($2.90 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Think Free runs fourth at Rosehill on June 29

8. Lifetime Quest had to work triple time first-up at Newcastle and to still be able to charge home and just miss says he’s a smart one who has gone up a notch this time in. Despite covering +13.6m he still ran the fastest last 600m of 35.22 (Punter's Intelligence). Drawn wide here but that’s no issue at this start point and has Blake Shinn to steer. Atonement awaits.

Dangers: 4. I Am Capitan had a wide run and was just cut down when runner-up in a Highway at Randwick when resuming. He hasn’t done a lot wrong and has form around Noble Boy. Good each-way chance. Read trainer Dean Mirfin's comments here. 5. Touch Of Mink trialled quite nicely ahead of her return here and she’s more than capable of sweeping home into the finish fresh. Keep safe. 2. Inanup failed up in class on a heavy track but going on his win over Star Boy here two starts ago on a good track he has to be considered.

How to play it: Lifetime Quest WIN ($3.10 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: EVENS.

Lifetime Quest runs an unlucky second at Newcastle on June 29

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