Latest News

By Ray Hickson

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

6. Lady Pankhurst was exposed to some of the better youngsters in her first campaign and did a good job when running second in the Fernhill at a mile. She’s trialled up quite well and kicking off back in this grade is in her favour. She should be very competitive.

Dangers: 3. Maquisa has had four runs at 1100m this time in and might now be wanting that bit of extra ground. Handy placing behind Mal Coupe two runs ago and was too far back last time at Canterbury before making some late ground. Stays in the mix. 13. Maccbi led and was run down by a horse that has won again since and that’s encouraging given the big gap to third. Can roll forward and give a sight. 10. The Pearls ran a handy race on debut back in May then close up when a big drifter at Canterbury a month later. Keep in mind.

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

Lady Pankhurst runs second in a Randwick trial on August 7

6. Prestar is an interesting runner who was set a big task at the Sunshine Coast last start, about seven weeks ago, after dragging back from a wide gate but he was game chasing home into third. Could potentially push forward in the smaller field and be hard to beat.

Dangers: 4. Johnny won easily on debut in a small field then favourite again and cut down late after dashing for home on the turn at Wyong. Sure to be thereabouts. 1. Stormland didn’t get all the breaks at a vital time before an even fourth at Canterbury behind Estremo three weeks ago. Fitter and a likely improver. 5. Gobi Desert won the Max Lees on debut then not quite up to stakes grade after that. Small field here and worth some thought.

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

Prestar runs third at the Sunshine Coast on July 5

5. Grand Eagle is a promising three-year-old who might get the sort of speed to suit him first-up since an impressive win at Randwick back in April where he came from a seemingly impossible spot. Trialled once behind Gangsta Granny and any improvement in the track is in his favour.

Dangers: 1. Huon raced consistently last time in and returns having been Midway placed at Rosehill in March. He’s trialling well, handles all conditions and draws to be prominent. Looks a major player. 2. Iron Will tried to lead all the way when runner-up over 1000m here two weeks ago. Was run down by a swooper. Sure to give a good account. 4. Passeggiata didn’t show any speed in the same race and wasn’t able to lead so she just boxed away in fifth place. Her asset is her pace and if she shows it she can be hard to run down.

How to play it: Grand Eagle WIN ($1.90 TAB Fixed Odds).

Grand Eagle wins at Randwick in April

5. Convergent has been looking for the step up in distance and gets it having put the writing on the wall with a fast finishing third in a Midway last Saturday week. Handles the ground, should be close to his top after two runs back and has his chance to strike.

Dangers: 4. Bright Red has had plenty of chances and her last win was in June last year. Hit the front only to be run down at Canterbury three weeks ago. No harder here and will be around the mark again. 2. The Years was that horse to get the better of Bright Red and he’s made it back-to-back heavy track wins at midweek level. Up 2.5kg but can’t be left out of the chances. 1. Monarchs Brae can be very hit and miss but he’s the likely leader and if he can get control he could give a sight back out of Saturday grade.

How to play it: Convergent WIN ($4.20 TAB Fixed Odds).

Convergent runs third at Rosehill on August 16

5. La Roja was an eye-catcher first-up then charged along the fence to win nicely in mares grade here two weeks ago. Step up in distance holds no fears for her and she stays at the same weight from another handy draw. No reason she couldn’t repeat.

Dangers: 10. Andron is coming straight to town off a maiden win at Kembla but it was quite a soft win on the line on a heavy track at 1400m. Drawn out but down 4kg and is one to keep an eye on. 1. Holligan Tommy has won three of his last four on a range of surfaces and with varying tactics so he should be considered. Has five wins around this distance range. 6. In Summer disappointed when favourite in a Highway before heading to Newcastle and proving a bit too strong there over 1850m. Nice weight drop after the claim and rarely runs a bad one so has a good case.

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

La Roja wins at Kensington on August 13

3. Silvanito has a patchy first-up record but didn’t come up last time in when on a Championships path so happy to forgive. Trialled nicely and has been competitive at both runs at this track. No surprise to see him run a smart race fresh.

Dangers: 5. Bodhi Boy is a promising type with four wins from six starts and was far too good winning easily at Taree over a similar trip just over a month ago. Will be right on the speed here and can measure up. 2. Cruel Summer is a proven heavy tracker who tends to run his best races when able to lead on wet tracks which he hasn’t been able to do at his last couple. Was a winner under 61kg over this track and distance four runs back so stays in the mix. 9. Hammett was a winner over a mile back in October last year but only had one run this year back in February where he failed inexplicably. Two recent trials are encouraging and he’s an each-way chance.

How to play it: Silvanito EACH-WAY ($6.00 TAB Fixed Odds).

Silvanito wins a Gosford trial on July 23

4. Idle Flyer is a handy mare who raced well in the early part of last prep before not quite measuring up in stakes level on two occasions. Worked to the line nicely in her latest trial and while drawn out she’ll be looking to swoop on them. Go well.

Dangers: 5. Lady Boss will be thereabouts as usual and she fleetingly looked the winner two weeks ago before being run down by La Roja. May well look the winner at some stage again. Definite chance. 1. Hulu is in good for in the country this time in and was a popular winner of the Bengalla Cup at Muswellbrook a month ago on heavy ground. Claim helps and she’s not without and each-way chance. 10. Pleasure Queen won over 1000m on debut at this track and was tried at Group 2 level in April. Two trials and is one to keep an eye on.

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

Idle Flyer runs second in a Canterbury trial on August 18

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