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By Ray Hickson

Tips and race by race preview by Ray Hickson for Wednesday’s Warwick Farm meeting. Selections based on a good to soft track.

2. Mars Mission has looked the part at the trials leading into this race, particularly the latest at Rosehill where he was in cruise mode striding away late. Only start was 1200m and settled rearward and that’s the only query. Should be hard to beat.

Dangers: 1. Baranof has been gelded since a mixed preparation where he was placed twice from four starts. No public trials. Generally races handy and from gate two is worth keeping safe. 9. My Eloise has finished second in both her recent trials including behind Shades Of Rose. Certainly not overly tested and any support would be significant. 11. Tapis Magique found the line with plenty of purpose behind a promising type in Flucuate at Gosford and if she shows that resolve here could be placed again.

How to play it: Mars Mission WIN ($1.80 TAB Fixed Odds) Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Mars Mission wins a trial at Rosehill on January 17

11. Soprano shapes as a big improver on what was basically a non-event for her here two weeks ago. Found herself in a terrible spot last on the fence and had too much to do with the leader winning but was only beaten three lengths. Blinkers on and she’s well worth another chance.

Dangers: 7. Russian Ruble is bursting to win a race and he tried very hard to run down Publicist here last time, failing by a head or so. Very similar assignment and could easily go one better. 3. Balzando trialled okay behind Mars Mission recently. Only start he was $12 at Bendigo and ran fourth after racing handy. Not a lot of obvious speed here so likely to be up there and that makes him a contender. 2. Aton Of Delight did more than enough at his only start back in November to say he’ll win races with a bit of time and more ground. Stays at 1400m here and his trial was very quiet but he’s one to keep an eye out for.

How to play it: Soprano E/W ($6.50 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Soprano runs seventh at Warwick Farm on January 12

2. Tuhinga looks a progressive type and while his maiden win at Wyong was on a heavy track he did it easily and a bit of form has come out of the race. Doesn’t look a big step up on paper and the race sets up well for him map wise. Expect him to run well.

Dangers: 5. Decisive Move was eased up late in an all the way win over 1400m here two weeks ago so the margin was a little flattering to the opposition. Should land on the lead again and it’ll be a matter of what pressure is applied as to whether she can repeat. 3. Bon Vivant won well over a mile two starts ago then was almost two weeks between runs and back to 1350m when runner-up at Wyong to Mihocek. Fitter and is a strong chance. 7. Scat’s Surfer Girl was supported into equal favouritism first-up and ran into fourth behind Decisive Move. Mile should be no problem and she just wants a bit more tempo on or to settle a bit handier from gate one to be in the finish.

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

Tuhinga wins at Wyong on January 8

1. Sixgun can be a bit hard to catch but he’s the horse with the best turn of foot in this sprint and if that comes into play he’ll be hard to hold out. Finished strongly first-up over this course behind De Grawin and arguably less depth here.

Dangers: 7. Fire will have plenty of supporters after an easy barrier trial win last week. His race form is patchy with a Bendigo maiden his only win to date. Probably leads and if he runs up to the trial is a good chance. 3. Star Cherie was solid in betting first-up at Rosehill and perhaps a shade disappointing in fifth behind Forzanini. Back to 1000m, drawn one and has the claim. Entitled to another chance. 5. Look Only ran well above price expectation when chasing home Forzanini in that race at $81. Has a show on that.

How to play it: Sixgun WIN ($3.40 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Sixgun runs third at Warwick Farm on January 12

9. Confessed has come back very well this prep and backed up and eye-catching return with a soft second-up win at Wyong last week. Looks versatile enough to be handy if it’s a slowly run race and can be expected to hold her form.

Dangers: 3. Molly Nails broke a track record when she resumed with a Moruya win earlier this month. Runner-up was beaten at Goulburn on Tuesday so a little wary of her second-up off such a big performance. But her only unplaced run was at Listed level and she’s a major player. 8. Zoo Station returned with a dominant Highway win at Rosehill over 1200m and like Molly Nails is headed for the Country Championships. Second-up last time in she was too far back but ran on strongly at 1400m, she can be right in the finish. Read jockey Anthony Cavallo's comments here. 2. In Lighten Me was a bit disappointing last time but it was a soft 6 and she was closer to the inside so could be a forgive run. She’s hit and miss but her second at Kensington three runs back is good enough form to run well here.

How to play it: Confessed WIN ($4.40 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Confessed wins at Wyong on January 18

1. Off Shaw might have struck gold drawing the outside here. He was peppered by another runner first-up over 1200m, hit the lead on the turn and was left a sitting shot as he went down by half a length. Fitter, trip is perfect and he can roll forward and lead or sit outside. Take beating.

Dangers: 10. Marnix ran right up to some good support when scoring easily over this course two weeks ago and goes up 2.5kg. He’s racing very well and no surprise to see him hold his form and give a good account again. 2. Silent Agenda managed to just nail Off Shaw for second when he resumed a fortnight ago. Consistent type, yet to win second-up or below a mile but clearly has come back well and should be considered. 11. Born A Warrior had no luck behind Rubamos in a similar sort of race a month ago. Is a backmarker though but his best is good enough if he gets the breaks.

How to play it: Off Shaw WIN ($4.00 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Off Shaw runs third at Warwick Farm on January 12

4. Mubariz is a good chance to break through if he can run out the 2400m. He’s been solid in all four runs back and just bumped into So You Win who found form in the January Cup. Big gap to third. Goes well here and he should feature.

Dangers: 2. Parry Sound looked to be travelling like the winner at the Gold Coast last time but could only manage fourth behind Navy Cross. Summer Cup winner two starts ago and certainly one of the main chances, tempo might be key to him. 6. Navy Cross set a solid gallop in leading all the way at the Gold Coast in record time. He’ll look to lead again, wary his last two wins have been up north but if he repeats that latest win he will take running down. 8. Kaapfever is on the back up after an eye-catching third at Randwick last Saturday over 2000m. He loves his home track, placed both attempts at 2400m here and can’t be left out of the chances.

How to play it: Mubariz WIN ($3.80 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: EVENS.

Mubariz runs second at Rosehill on January 8

1. Dajraan holds the key to this race. Import whose wins have been at 1400m so he should be effective at the sprint trip fresh. Especially when you look at his trials. Excellent in the first at Canterbury then close second to Silent Impact. Drawn one, JMac rides. Hard to beat.

Dangers: 4. Head Legislator did a very good job fresh in the Wyong Magic Millions beaten less than a length by Wisdom Of Water. Wide gate might not be so bad for him here as he was slow out from gate one first-up. Respect. 5. Miracle Day won his first three this time in easily then a beaten favourite at Canterbury a few weeks back where he seemed to have his chance. Entitled to another one here though. 9. Embeller has come back well with a first-up win then chased home Quatenus over this course three weeks ago. Chances enhance as the track dries out and she’s an each-way hope.

How to play it: Dajraan WIN ($2.30 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Dajraan runs second in a trial at Rosehill on January 4

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