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By Ray Hickson

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

1. Matcha Latte showed a great deal of promise in his first prep, he had no luck on debut then shaped up okay in stakes company on heavy tracks. His trials on the synthetic have been excellent and it’ll be interesting to see how he goes on firmer ground first-up.

Dangers: 9. Waikiki was a big drifter on debut here a couple of weeks ago, and had to be re-shod at the gates, before a gallant second over the 1100m. James McDonald on board will see her well fancied and if she does everything right she could go one better. 2. Perfect Thought hit the line well at his only start back in April at Flemington over 1400m. Two recent trials on the grass have been sound and if it’s not too short for him he’s a big threat. 8. Victorine was well supported first-up in the same race as Waikiki but disappointed. Inclined to give her another chance back on top of the ground from a favourable gate.

How to play it: Matcha Latte E/W ($8.50 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Matcha Latte runs sixth in a trial at Randwick on July 26

5. Redwood Shadow has been excellent in two runs back on heavy tracks and last time while beaten favourite he suggested a win is close as he ran on from last behind a tearaway winner. Distance suits him now and handles the wet. Hard to beat.

Dangers: 2. Son Of Sampson races on speed and he tried hard when holding down second place in the same race as Redwood Shadow at Warwick Farm. He’ll be in this for a long way as well. 1. Hameron hasn’t done a lot wrong with second place his worst result in four career starts. Kicks off again at a distance that should allow him to be competitive and he should be respected though will excel over a bit further. 7. Air Of Alsace shrugged off a disappointing second-up effort when a close second at Warwick Farm last time on a heavy track. Has a case.

How to play it: Redwood Shadow WIN ($3.70 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Redwood Shadow runs third at Warwick Farm on July 27

1. Decadent Tale has gone from strength to strength since stepping up to a middle distance and has done it on wet and dry. Only up 1kg for winning in the same grade at Gosford and there’s no reason she can’t go on with the job. Read trainer Jason Deamer's comments here.

Dangers: 5. Queenmaker backed up a breakthrough maiden win with a handy effort at Wyong over 2000m where she was flushed out early and forced to go to the front a fair way out. Shapes as though she’ll run out the trip and is a good chance. 6. Auspicious Cloud has been going well in set weights Class 1s at her past couple and is certainly bred to relish the staying trip. Being only a 64 this isn’t that big a step up so she has to be considered. 2. Boyszee brings mixed form from Victorian into this race but respecting the Maher/Eustace stable. Contested a 3600m race last start so the trip won’t be an issue and he has the blinkers going back on. Keep safe.

How to play it: Decadent Tale WIN ($4.00 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Decadent Tale wins at Gosford on July 14

3. Tuhinga might need a bit of luck but his second-up run on a heavy track was solid. Far from disgraced when holding third three weeks ago on a heavy 10 and if he gets the right run he can be in the finish dropping a notch in grade.

Dangers: 9. Pretes is an improver who made light work of his task at Doomben third-up sitting handy off a wide gate and tearing away in the straight. Gate one and James McDonald will give her every chance to back it up. 4. King Adviso gave a sight in front on a soft 7 at Kembla Grange last start having broken his maiden status at Hawkesbury prior. Not a lot stronger here. 8. Stratum Pride comes into the race now it's a heavy track after impressive victories at Albury and Sapphire Coast around this distance range.

How to play it: Tuhinga WIN ($3.90 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Tuhinga runs third at Kensington on July 20

2. Sneaky Paige looks to have found the right race to post another city win and if she gets any luck from the outside gate will be hard to beat. Game effort chasing Shades Of Rose last time at Rosehill, that’s the right form and she should go close.

Dangers: 7. Laurelin is a big market watch first-up. She won here a year ago over 1100m when fresh but failed in two runs in her subsequent preparation as favourite. Nothing wrong with her trials and she has to be respected. 9. Twitch will appreciate the firmer ground after a handy enough return on a heavy 10 track at Warwick Farm, running third behind Glittery. Capable type who will get every chance from a soft gate. 6. Russbuss is a consistent mare who hasn’t won for a while but she put together three placings on end last time in. Warmed up with a trial win and while yet to win first-up could be placed.

How to play it: Sneaky Paige WIN ($3.40 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Sneaky Paige runs second at Rosehill on July 30

5. Fastconi would have loved getting back on top of the ground but comes back in class after a fair effort at Randwick last time on heavy when well supported. Chased home Waihaha Falls on a soft 5 before that and on that form he would take some stopping here.

Dangers: 10. Strombus had support at odds when resuming at Warwick Farm on a heavy 10 and hit the line hard to be beaten half a length. Extra 100m a plus and wide gate probably not so much of an issue for him. Big threat. 4. Aeecee Express had his first go on a wet track first-up and wasn’t disgraced holding down third at Warwick Farm. Front-running type who will be fitter and could take some running down. 7. Adelaide's Light chased home Tawfiq Lass on a heavy 10 two starts ago before a fair effort at Randwick last Saturday. Backing up and could rebound.

How to play it: Fastconi WIN ($5.00 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Fastconi runs second at Randwick on June 11

4. Stromboli hasn’t raced since notching his maiden win at Ballarat back in February and shaped well with an easy trial win recently. This race has fallen right away and he only needs to get through the ground to take beating.

Dangers: 1. Turning has a handy record and is well placed to run a nice race first-up. Might be worth noting he is unbeaten second-up so whatever he does here he will likely improve on but will have his chance to be in the finish. 11. Euphrates Dream fought hard to score second-up at Wyong over this treip and is a heavy track winner at Mudgee. Include in the chances with J-Mac riding. 12. Abuela next best, was placed on a soft 7 albeit in a maiden first-up last time in and could take catching in the small field.

How to play it: Stromboli WIN ($1.90 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Stromboli wins a trial at Rosehill on July 29

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