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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 good to soft track.

2. Scoop The Pool showed plenty of promise with his eye-catching debut back in June and looks to have trialled up nicely for a return. Found himself a long way back at that first outing but hopefully he can be in more of a striking position this time. Should be in the finish.

Dangers: 3. Attica is a Godolphin colt on debut for Joe Pride and he’s trialled nicely in two hit-outs for his new trainer. Very well bred being out of G1 winner Savatiano and will get his chance from an ideal draw. 5. Decorum is a full brother to G1 winner Switzerland also stepping out for the first time. He settled back in his latest trial and breezed to the line well down the outside. That was more than a month ago now. Keep in mind. 8. Tuscany possibly found the 1100m too short for him first-up at Hawkesbury but he found the line well into second. Fitter and extra distance look pluses so he has to be considered.

How to play it: Scoop The Pool WIN ($3.40 TAB Fixed Odds).

Scoop The Pool wins a Hawkesbury trial on August 25

3. Cantiamo got the job done on debut at Kensington three weeks ago and she did look like she’d take improvement given her coat in the parade. Suspect a firmer track will help her unleash a turn of foot and while this is no gimme she’s the one to beat.

Dangers: 4. Ohope enjoyed a good run from the inside barrier and darted through to score an easy win at Hawkesbury first-up. That was his first run below 1300m so the extra 100m will be in his favour and he looks a threat. 1. Regulated Affair had some raps on him in his first preparation and he ran well in all four starts including a maiden win here in May. Two trials haven’t given a lot away and he’s a market watch. 6. Gemologist measured up well in town back in June and ran third in the same race as Regulated Affair ran second in at Rosehill. No guide in the trial but sure to be running on.

How to play it: Cantiamo WIN ($2.50 TAB Fixed Odds).

Cantiamo wins at Kensington on August 13

3. Island Dream has found a nice race back in grade after a sound third at Randwick on a heavy 10. That followed a nice Canterbury win where she attacked the line hard. Previous win was on a soft 5 so conditions are suitable and she looks very hard to beat.

Dangers: 7. Christa is very lightly raced and followed a nice first-up Taree win with a solid third in a Highway at Rosehill in mid-August when back 100m in trip. Mile should hold no fears and she’s in the mix. 8. Exclusive Artist was solid in the betting first-up on a heavy 10 two weeks ago and clearly didn’t love the conditions as she was safely held. Must give another chance back on firmer footing. 5. Johnny The Kid is another who probably hasn’t appreciated the heavy tracks of late so he can lift on what he’s shown in two runs back. Particularly if he finds the lead and gets control.

How to play it: Island Dream WIN ($2.10 TAB Fixed Odds).

Island Dream runs third at Randwick on August 23

2. Ring True is an imported mare and a very interesting running first-up in this grade. She’s stakes placed at her past two runs in Europe and her two recent trials are handy enough. Was outsprinted in the latest over 905m but found the line well. Big weight and must respect.

Dangers: 4. Tuileries ran a huge race first-up despite being an odds-on favourite, running slick sectionals in a slowly run race, but disappointed off a month’s gap at Rosehill last time. Back on firmer ground is a plus and she could bounce back quickly. 6. Mergeila has been scratched a few time of late and she hasn’t raced since last October when beaten narrowly as favourite by Pippie Beach. Tactics will be interesting from the wide gate as she’s generally raced on speed. Can’t overlook. 8. Just A Journey had a handy first preparation with two wins over this trip and was fifth in a stakes race in Brisbane before a break. Should race forward and can run well fresh.

How to play it: Ring True EACH-WAY ($8.50 TAB Fixed Odds).

Ring True runs second in a Canterbury trial on August 18

7. Frontex was an easy first-up winner as favourite at Newcastle, is on the way up and does look nicely suited. Had them covered a fair way out on a heavy track fresh, previous form suggests firmer ground will be no problem and has a nice stalking draw. Should go close.

Dangers: 1. Tenderize is a likely improver on his first-up showing here two weeks ago. He improved through his preparation last time in winning third and fourth up. Draws well and can give a sight. 5. Starman hasn’t won since January 2022 but he’s back a notch in class now after three runs back. Loomed to win second-up then boxed away okay at Rosehill last time behind Fully Lit. Have to take him on trust but he’s in the right grade. 9. The Replicant is always around the mark and he notched another placing when third two weeks ago on a heavy 10. Goes in all conditions and is hard to leave out of the chances.

How to play it: Frontex WIN ($4 TAB Fixed Odds).

Frontex wins at Newcastle on August 14

7. California Grass hasn’t done a lot in two runs back but has the right situation here to be a big improver back on top of the ground. She was quite competitive last time in at this level and slightly above and is a good each-way hope in a wide open race.

Dangers: 6. Elle Hudson has had a few chances this time in but probably not suited to leading last time at Randwick when up to 2400m on a heavy 10. Boxed away okay there. Honest gelding who could win this without surprising. 5. Coto De Caza came off a six week break at Rosehill last weekend and ran a solid fifth in the Midway at 1800m. Nice pipe opener for the extra trip at which he’s most effective. Definite chance. 10. Sting In The Tail showed a return to form with a second at Kensington last week. Was right in the market in one of these races back in March and she will also appreciate getting away from a heavy track.

How to play it: California Grass EACH-WAY ($16 TAB Fixed Odds).

California Grass runs third at Warwick Farm in February

7. Pallaton did look to have his chance in the Rosebud when resuming as favourite but if he didn’t settle as well as he can then he could be excused. Has the 58kg to carry but back to midweek level and drawn okay he has the chance to bounce back to form.

Dangers: 9. Rantan rarely gets luck in her races but she’s around the mark and comes into this with five weeks between runs having finished fourth at Randwick in late July. Best is good enough to have her in the finish. 8. Shalaa Gold is racing well without winning this preparation with placings in all three runs. Fought hard when favourite two weeks ago and has to be considered. 4. Ticklebelly is a consistent mare who ran a handy race in the Country Championships Final in April. Effective first-up, drawn well and can be competitive.

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

Pallaton runs third in the Rosebud at Rosehill on August 16

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