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By Neil Evans

The track is rated a Soft 5 with the rail out 2m the entire circuit. There's a slight chance of rain with a windy afternoon and 20 degrees for raceday.

2. LEON RUBEN ($9 on TAB) is an improving four-year-old who has run home into a place in his last couple at Kembla, the latest coming from well back in a handy Saturday maiden. In a tactical affair, he's well over the odds from a soft trailing draw and will appreciate the extra 200m. 10. Stitzer ($2.50 favourite) is a lightly raced and good quality colt reloading 25 days after a horrible flop first-up at Kembla when dropping out a long last. Be prepared to forgive though, with blinkers being added. Was competitive enough in Group company on debut as a two-year-old in the autumn and stretched out late coming from the back in a recent high-class trial. Market will be a telling indicator. 1. Gentle Giant ($4) is an emerging improver having led for a long way on debut at the provincials over a mile. 9. Royal Princess ($8) is a tough country mare who has led for a long way in her last couple. Suited coming back in trip on a tighter track with a light weight after the jockey's claim. 4. Rouladen ($9), who has beaten all but the winner in four of his last five outings across thinner races, heads the rest.

How to play it: Leon Ruben EACH-WAY

2. UNHINGED ($3.60) is a lightly raced colt who maps to strike second-up and one of four accepted runners for the leading Chris Waller stable. Was afforded little or no room inside runners when resuming in a small field but better placed this time over a longer trip and on firmer ground. 1. Caviar ($5) is a third-up improver in his first full prep, having led for a long way at Newcastle 18 days ago. 4. Wonka ($3.70 fav) is an improving stablemate of the top selection. So too 6. True Tone ($5.50) who made up plenty of ground from the back on debut and is bred to get further. 8. Bechers ($4.80) draws inside for her second start and will enjoy a significant rise in trip and a drop in weight.

How to play it: Unhinged to WIN

7. LOW KEY ($1.60) is a well-touted filly in the Gai Waterhouse-Adrian Bott stable returning for just her second start. Stuck on okay behind two very smart youngsters when debuting in Group 3 company as a two-year-old in autumn. Fitted with two progressive trials, the latest impressive sweeping home from the back under a good hold. The one to beat, especially with one of the main market rivals coming out. 3. Threads ($5) is over the odds hitting peak fitness fourth-up from a handy draw. 9. Rocks Or Diamonds ($7), a filly by Fastnet Rock having her first start for the John Sargent yard off two progressive trials, can add value into exotic plays. Gap to the rest.

How to play it: Low Key to WIN

2. MAZIS ($5) chased home a progressive galloper in similar company who has since won again easily in stronger Saturday grade. That was his first run since winning three from four in a strong Qld campaign last spring. Can settle closer in the run this time pushed out a further 400m in distance. 5. Columbus ($2.40 fav) has been costly in his last two as a short-priced favourite after a dominant BM 64 win at Newcastle. Looking for more ground now but wouldn't be diving into too short a price from a tricky draw. 3. Pierro Lad ($5.50) is also on the rise having won his last three up to this level. Drawn inside, but up sharply in weight. 10. Supreme Sovereign ($6) is working towards a second career win after four runs back and drawn to get a soft run back in the pack. Gap to the rest.

How to play it: Mazis to WIN

6. PIERATA'S GEM ($4.60) is an honest mare who gets her chance to score an overdue fourth career win deep into the current prep. Has been in the money in two of her last three up to a higher level, and drawn to get a lovely trail right behind the speed. 2. Deep Pleasure ($2) is a consistent and hard fit mare chasing back-to-back wins in similar company. Up in weight, but drawn to get a charmed run on speed, and will take some stopping. Watch the betting on 3. Koolibah ($5.50) resumes for the Waller-McDonald combination behind two quiet trials. 9. Aura ($9) is drawn to get a handy run resuming off a soft trial.

How to play it: Pierata's Gem to WIN

4. CAFE AU LAIT ($3.80) only missed by a half-length finishing through inferior ground when resuming after being backed from $2.70 into $2.15. Took on deeper opposition in Victoria back in autumn and boasts a sharp second-up record. 7. Regal Problem ($2.00 fav) was impressive rushing home to win first-up in weaker provincial company. Plenty more to give but threatens to go around a shade under the odds up to this level. 6. Live ($9.50) is a progressive ex-Victorian mare having her first run for the Peter Snowden stable. Went to Listed level last preparation and has been given two steady trials. Both 8. Varuni ($8.50), stepping up from consecutive country wins and 11. Sphere ($10) fourth-up, can figure in the money.

How to play it: Cafe Au Lait to WIN

7. KOMODO DRAGON ($2.60 fav) is a tough five-year-old who picked up strong late when resuming after being forced to chase a runaway leader, and then hitting a real flat spot on the turn. Much better suited here, drawn wider out where he can be ridden a quieter and be taken to the outside in the straight. 5. Rivendell ($3.40) is progressive enough, and importantly blinkers replace winkers third-up. 3. Tough Guy ($6.50) is building a smart record, and comes to the city after a dominant and fast-finishing win in a feature sprint at Tamworth. 4. Unstopabull ($7) won a similar race at Canterbury two starts ago, but weighted to his best here.

How to play it: Komodo Dragon to WIN

BEST BETS
RACE 4 - 2. MAZIS ($5 on TAB)
RACE 7 - 7. KOMODO DRAGON ($2.60 fav)

BEST VALUE
RACE 5 - 6. PIERATA'S GEM ($4.60)

View final fields with full form & race replays for Kensington here