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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 heavy track.

1. Cross Tasman did more than enough on debut at Kensington on a soft track to suggest there’s upside and if he handles the expected heavy ground he’ll be competitive. Likely will excel at further than 1200m but the conditions probably offsets that.

Dangers: 8. Vanlee fought very hard when resuming at Hawkesbury behind a handy type with a big gap back to third. Locally trained and if she handles a wet track there’s a chance she could measure up. 2. Dyami has some exposed wet track form with a close third at this track on a soft 7 before being disappointing at Canterbury two weeks ago. 7. The Stars improved as the preparation went on in her first campaign and has trialled twice in the lead up to a return. Hasn’t seen a heavy track but if she’s running it’s a tick from the stable.

How to play it: Cross Tasman WIN ($4.00 TAB Fixed Odds).

Cross Tasman runs fourth at Kensington on June 11

4. Fairway To Heaven has been given some time and with three lead up trials should be ready to go. Small query of course on a heavy track but like the wide gate for her. Showed speed and kicked away to win the latest trial and she bears close watching.

Dangers: 6. Mercy Me had an easy trial on heavy ground in her first this prep then beat a subsequent city winner at Wyong in the latest trial. Wouldn’t surprise to see her give some cheek on debut. 1. Beside The Ocean has trialled nicely on two occasions with one coming from well back into second and the other from on the speed. Both on soft ground. Commands some respect first-up. 12. Sequista has the exposed form and was close up when beaten favourite at Canterbury almost a month ago. Ran a fair race on a very heavy track at Randwick prior to that. Draw likely suits and keep in mind.

How to play it: Fairway To Heaven EACH-WAY ($9.00 TAB Fixed Odds).

Fairway To Heaven wins a Canterbury trial on June 23

4. Kilonova looks a promising type and ran right up to support to win on debut in February. Not far away in both trials on soft tracks. Market will be a good pointer but appears to be coming up well and sure to be competitive.

Dangers: 8. Honey Perfume has been consistent since winning off a freshen in late April and while beaten favourite on a heavy two starts back she tried very hard. That’s what she’ll do here, put herself up there somewhere and give it a shot. 6. Not That Easy doesn’t help herself with a racing pattern that sees her giving a decent start and rushing home when it’s all over. Handles all ground and wouldn’t surprise to see her feature in the finish of this. 2. Vanessi had her chance when resuming at Kensington a few weeks ago but will be fitter and gets a small bit of weight relief with the claim. Wet track no issue and has to be included in the chances.

How to play it: Kilonova WIN ($3.50 TAB Fixed Odds).

Kilonova runs fourth in a Rosehill trial on June 20

7. Elegant Empress is a proven heavy tracker and should be right at her top after three runs back including a last start win at Newcastle. Local mare who should land somewhere in the first half of the field and has a good chance to keep it up.

Dangers: 4. Zaragoza is racing well this time in with heavy track placings either side of a Kembla win on a soft 7 at this distance. No harder than what he’s met of late and sure to be competitive again. 5. Rebel Dean is back from a year’s absence and no public trial but that’s not unusual for the Matt Dale yard. Has a handy record and handles all ground so is a big market watch. 1. Romeo’s Choice hasn’t raced since winning at Randwick back in February and has won on a heavy track previously. Trialling well and just the big weight a small concern fresh.

How to play it: Elegant Empress EACH-WAY ($7.50 TAB Fixed Odds).

Elegant Empress wins at Newcastle on June 14

10. American Starlet was well supported when resuming in a Midway a few weeks ago but found herself well off them early before working home to be beaten a couple of lengths. Fitter for it, handles all ground and extra trip looks to suit. Go well.

Dangers: 7. Believe In Angels has been going well without winning of late and while drawn out again it’s not such a big deal on a wet track here, for the most part. Forgive last time and he’s one of the chances. 5. French Marine is one of the better wet trackers in the race and scored easily on a heavy 10 two runs back before proving too strong late up to a soft 6. Honest type and has each-way claims at least. 2. Mortlake attacked the line with purpose at his Australian debut at Kensington three weeks ago and while staying at 1400m if he handles the wet that shouldn’t be an issue. Keep in mind.

How to play it: American Starlet WIN ($4.40 TAB Fixed Odds).

American Starlet runs fifth at Rosehill on June 14

7. Hopper didn’t quite finish off as expected at Randwick last time but handled a heavy track well when a solid second at Rosehill prior to that. Blinkers go on him and don’t mind him drawn off the fence where he can wind up. Chance to bounce back.

Dangers: 10. Kenmare Bay enjoyed a perfect run and was produced at the right time when scoring a breakthrough win at Canterbury a month ago. Back to the mile on a heavy suits and he should hold his form. 9. Pink Shalala is consistent without winning and has been beaten as a short-priced favourite at his past two. Wet tracks are no issue and if he gets the right run in transit is capable of breaking through, but is a take on trust commodity. 13. Loose Love has been racing well and appreciated coming back to the mile when scoring easily at Gosford a couple of weeks ago. Six of his seven wins have come on wet tracks and he’ll be around the mark again.

How to play it: Hopper WIN ($3.30 TAB Fixed Odds).

Hopper runs second at Rosehill on May 31

6. Unusual Prospect has a bit of a rap on him and he did an excellent job to post his first win at Gosford a few weeks ago where he was forced to do a lot of chasing. In the end he won comfortably and while staying at a mile the heavy track will help if he’s looking for further. Hard to beat.

Dangers: 1. Hooligan Tommy sailed home on a heavy track at Kembla Grange two starts back then had the winner’s back but couldn’t sprint with them at Randwick. Back in class and the claim is a plus, he has to be given another chance. 8. Sister Daae was a significant drifter in betting first-up but it didn’t matter as she swept home from near last to score at Kensington over 1400m. Trialled since then and wasn’t disgraced in only heavy track run. Include in the chances. 13. Willie Oppa boxed on okay at Canterbury last start when back from 2000m which was likely beyond him at this stage. Been competitive enough on heavy previously and blinkers go on so he could surprise.

How to play it: Unusual Prospect WIN ($4.40 TAB Fixed Odds).

Unusual Prospect wins at Gosford on June 12

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