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By Ray Hickson

Tips and race by race preview by Ray Hickson for Wednesday’s Canterbury meeting. Selections based on a heavy track.

Prepared to give 5. Crossways another go from an inside barrier this time. He was stuck chasing a solid tempo on debut and while he weakened late he still boxed on okay. Has the chance to improve with a different set up and that race experience.

Dangers: 1. Churchillian has shown good speed in his recent trials and bears close watching on debut. Appeared to handle the soft 7 in the latest trial. 6. Farfetched was first-up in the same race as Crossways and while safely held by the winner ran a handy second. Yet to see worse than soft 5 but good chance if she handles it. 10. Ballet Encore worked to the line okay in fourth in that event, she’s been placed on a heavy and stays right down in the weights. Could show up.

How to play it: Crossways WIN ($2.25 TAB Fixed Odds).

4. Sanctum caught the eye on debut closing nicely, after being held up early in the straight, behind Omolong two weeks ago and that form has held up well. Has to do it on a wet track but does look above average and very easy to like.

Dangers: 3. Horologist made a handy first impression as he charged late when in the clear to run second on a soft 6 at Canterbury. Draws well again and no reason he can’t be in the finish. 5. Short Sea kicked off at Kensington a month ago and the best part of his race was the finish. If gate one is an advantage he should be competitive again. 8. Helldeeva finished strongly to score on a heavy track at Warwick Farm last month so has that box ticked. Since trialled and has to be considered.

How to play it: Sanctum WIN ($1.95 TAB Fixed Odds).

4. Lady Invictus measured up pretty well jumping from her maiden win to a BM72 at Rosehill where she held on for third. Back in grade, her win was on a soft 7 and she’ll be in this for a long way, especially if she can find the front.

Dangers: 3. Gatwick showed a lot of speed to pounce on the lead and run them off their feet over 1250m three weeks back. If she can hold up from the inside gate, and handle heavier ground, she should be hard to beat again. 7. Sponars has been racing well at the provincials with three seconds since a maiden win. Looks to handle the ground and drawn to have the chance to show up. 5. Raskol was narrowly beaten by Nullarbor Jane on a soft 7 first-up and is back in class after two runs in Saturday city grade. Likely improver.

How to play it: Lady Invictus WIN ($3.20 TAB Fixed Odds).

5. Inoue is first-up for a new stable and has trialled quite nicely in the lead up to what looks a winnable race. Has run well fresh previously, gate one looks a plus and he does handle a wet track. If he gets the start right he should be in the finish.

Dangers: 2. Madrina was narrowly beaten by Glorious Moments on a heavy track three starts ago and hasn’t been too far off them in two subsequent runs. Chance to bounce back. 3. Zale led all the way to win at Warwick Farm two weeks ago continuing his consistent form of late. Only negative could be the heavy track but hard to ignore on recent efforts. 1. Shall Be was sent out favourite at Port Macquarie second-up and bumped into a progressive sprinter. Since trialled, draws okay and a wet track isn’t a bad thing for him.

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

9. Lipstick is bursting to win a race. Chased hard behind Ballpark, who has won again since, two starts back then looked to have Bird Whistle beaten at Randwick only to be outgunned late. Handles all ground, back in grade and only has to hold form to be competitive.

Dangers: 12. Agraffe Rocket backed up a handy Kensington second with a popular maiden win on heavy at Newcastle. Obviously up in class here but nicely drawn and handles the ground so could back it up. 5. Virgil’s Gift ran well fresh at Kensington a month ago before leading off a wide gate up in class at Rosehill and weakening. Find this easier, draw is kinder and looks a good chance to fire. 8. Sister Daae can find one or two better but she’s racing well of late with a couple of Kensington placings including the latest on a heavy track. Sure to be thereabouts.

How to play it: Lipstick WIN ($5.00 TAB Fixed Odds).

4. Skycatcher is worth another chance after being a shade disappointing up in grade at Rosehill in what is a strong form race. Relished the heavy to win over 1550m at this track previously and on that performance can be a major player.

Dangers: 6. Trapalanda was sent out favourite when resuming at Warwick Farm two weeks ago and ran well just finding a fitter horse on the day. Consistent, has placed in heavy ground, and sure to be better for that run. Go well. 14. Think I Will jumped from a heavy track maiden win to score an all the way victory over this course three weeks ago. Up 2.5kg and drawn wide but will go forward and has to be respected. 3. Kapakiri won second-up on a heavy track last time in so it wouldn't surprise to see him improve sharply on his fresh effort.

How to play it: Skycatcher EACH-WAY ($5.00 TAB Fixed Odds).

5. Steel Strike returns as a gelding and did place when resuming last time in. He has won on a heavy, at his second race start, and while his trials have looked okay at best he has to be considered hard to beat.

Dangers: 9. Unstopabull charged home from the back into a close second at Warwick Farm when resuming. Doesn’t win out of turn and likely gives away a start here but handles all ground and has a case. 15. Astronomix chased the speed when resuming at Warwick Farm and held on okay for third. Fitter, will need some luck from the gate but has claims. 6. Mother Goose has been a bit disappointing in two runs back but if she can find form she can give cheek.

How to play it: Steel Strike WIN ($2.80 TAB Fixed Odds).

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