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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 to heavy track.

6. Ripley was held up for a run at a vital stage but still raced like 1100m was too short on debut as he ran into third at Canterbury a few weeks ago. Fitter for that and the extra trip looks in his favour. Likely a sharp improver up in trip.

Dangers: 9. Just A Journey was game in defeat on debut at Warwick Farm before showing fight in leading all the way at Kembla back on a good track. Expect she’ll be prominent and should run well again. 12. Jenni Gone Bonkers comes through the same race as she closed off pretty well to run second. Yet to see a wet track but nicely drawn and has to stay in the mix. 2. Philatelic had an easy time of it in a small field leading all the way to break through at Wyong on a heavy 10. Has to take that next step now and worth including.

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

Ripley runs third at Canterbury on April 21

4. Inquisitor was a $575,000 purchase and has had a couple of nice trials over 1000m or so typical of the stable. Worked home under no pressure in the latest, draws well and the distance looks to suit first-up. Hard to beat.

Dangers: 1. Hereward gave a big sight when leading the Clarendon on debut at Hawkesbury and only found Aerodrome a bit strong late. Drawn out but if he gets across and runs up to that effort he’s right in this. 12. Burn The Sky has shaped up pretty well in two recent trials the latest behind Agarwood at Randwick. One to keep an eye on. 11. Cold Gin looked to have her chance when on speed at Canterbury and was run down over 1100m. Jumps in trip, perhaps a bit of cover would serve her well and she can’t be left out.

How to play it: Inquisitor WIN ($2.90 TAB Fixed Odds).

Inquisitor runs fifth in a Randwick trial on April 24

1. Charleroi had a bit of specking on debut and really charged at the line late when third at this track on Anzac Day. Gets an extra 150m which looks to suit and drawn a lot softer too. Clearly the one to beat on first effort.

Dangers: 9. She Rex started favourite and led them up when a fair third over this course second-up. Fought hard when headed but had her chance. Placed in all five starts so far and is entitled to another chance. 2. Kundabung found the line well from near the tail when runner-up to Damien at Newcastle a month ago. Had a tickover trial and extra 200m should assist. 5. Vetwelve showed some promise in his summer prep with a first-up second then beaten as favourite at Warwick Farm. Could run well fresh at the longer journey.

How to play it: Charleroi WIN ($2.40 TAB Fixed Odds).

Charleroi runs third at Kensington on April 25

1. Cruel Summer is a wet tracker through and through and bounced back to best form on the heavy at Canterbury two weeks ago. Up 2kg but does get conditions to suit him and if he repeats the effort he’ll go close.

Dangers: 4. Iconic Treasure has had a stable switch since an even third over this course on Anzac Day where he was favourite and stayed on fairly for third. Usually not too far away and is one of the chances. 2. Beour Bay won on a good track here back in January and three runs back in Victoria since have been passable. Handles all ground and no surprise if she finds her form again. 8. Bend The Knee scored an overdue win on a heavy track at Wyong where he always travelled well and raced right away late. Has to back it up but is honest and has each-way claims.

How to play it: Cruel Summer WIN ($3.90 TAB Fixed Odds).

Cruel Summer wins at Canterbury on April 30

3. Power Ballard had a couple of runs in the summer and didn’t really fire but travelled well in his latest trial, scoring over 900m. Sting out of the track is ideal and he’s drawn to either lead or be right there. Good chance to strike first-up.

Dangers: 2. Hellbent On You was a late scratching from Warwick Farm last week, she’s not far off a win at this level after placings in two starts since a Hawkesbury win fresh. Probably doesn’t want it any wetter but has to be respected. 6. California Sunrise resumed with a closing third at Warwick Farm six weeks ago. Had a tickover trial and was also set to race last week but came out late. She’s one of the chances. 4. Spirit Of Varanasi has run well in both starts this time in including a solid second over this course on Anzac Day. Form out of the race is patchy but stays under notice.

How to play it: Power Ballard WIN ($4.40 TAB Fixed Odds).

Power Ballard wins a Rosehill trial on April 11

4. Maori Chief is coming off a maiden win but it was a strong one on soft ground here on Anzac Day. Was an easing favourite but won clearly and can only be fitter for the first-up success. Should have every chance to repeat the dose.

Dangers: 16. Mignonette is another last start maiden winner and she ran right up to strong support in scoring well at Newcastle on a heavy track. On the up and no reason she couldn’t feature. 2. Dashing Rupert has won four from seven and did a good job to win at Kembla on a heavy track last week. Hard to leave out of the chances. 6. Hell To Pay was no match for the winner here first-up but still ran well in similar conditions. Blinkers on and fitter and has a show.

How to play it: Maori Chief WIN ($4.00 TAB Fixed Odds).

Maori Chief wins at Kensington on April 25

8. Golden Smile has been improving with each run and scored an easy all the way maiden win over a similar trip at Newcastle fourth-up. Obviously up in grade here but not by much and looks to have a good racing pattern. Can show up again.

Dangers: 7. Swelter won at Hawkesbury in March then made some ground without threatening in the Adrian Knox. Freshened back to her right grade, she’s capable of bouncing back. 6. Tenniel was a bit too strong on a heavy track at Newcastle when finding form then back onto good she didn’t do a lot at Canterbury. Inclined to give her another chance on a wet track. 2. Whetu found the 1500m too short when resuming but he did hit the line pretty well. Up in trip on a wet track again are pluses and he's an each-way hope.

How to play it: Golden Smile WIN ($4.60 TAB Fixed Odds).

Golden Smile wins at Newcastle on May 3

4. Anderson Bridge has put the writing on the wall in two runs back that he’s ready to break through.. Was way too far back last time at Randwick but surged to the line nicely to run fifth. Down in class, up in trip and this is his chance.

Dangers: 10. Ella Hazel won a heavy at Wyong on a heavy track then outclassed in two Group 1s for the fillies behind Treasurethe Moment. Freshened and back in trip, she has a good case to be hard to beat. 3. Sacro Catino proved his maiden win as no fluke with a solid second at Canterbury where he hit the lead but was nabbed in the last 50m. Sure to run well again. 7. Kenmare Bay strung three seconds together before being well beaten as favourite at Gosford on Anzac Day. Blinkers off and gets a softer run so could be in the finish somewhere.

How to play it: Anderson Bridge WIN ($4.00 TAB Fixed Odds).

Anderson Bridge runs fifth at Randwick on April 26

14. Sydney Bowler had no luck at all at this track and distance last time, shuffled back to last on the turn before weaving through to go under by a length and a half. Arguably should have gone close. No harder here and is a good chance to atone.

Dangers: 10. Bright Red is first-up and while she hasn’t won fresh she was consistent all through last prep without winning. Can be competitive and will improve on whatever she does. 11. Pippie Beach is also first-up and will progress from whatever she does but she likes a wet track and has each-way claims. 3. Asgarda was a shade disappointing when midfield in the same race as Sydney Bowler but did duck back to the inferior ground. Capable of showing up.

How to play it: Sydney Bowler WIN ($3.80 TAB Fixed Odds).

Sydney Bowler runs fifth at Kensington on April 25

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