Tips and race by race preview by Ray Hickson for Wednesday’s Kensington meeting. Selections based on a soft to heavy track.
Race 1 - 1:25PM STREET BOSS @ DARLEY HANDICAP (1150 METRES)
3. Alpine Ski gets the blinkers on for his third race start so he's worth another look after a close up fourth at Warwick Farm two weeks ago. Fair to say he had his chance but was solid in the market and went down by a length so doesn't need to find a whole lot.
Dangers: 1. Johnny The Kid did a good job when resuming at Hawkesbury over 1000m, he drew wide and settled midfield before making some ground into third. Extra ground should assist and he's in the mix. 7. Theblade is on debut after a three-quarter length trial win at Rosehill a few weeks ago at his third trial in the past two months. Steps out now and stays under notice, a big market watch. 4. Enriched is another worth keeping safe. Thrown in the deep end on debut and had support behind Switzerland back in February. Trials have been sound and he could show up.
How to play it: Alpine Ski WIN ($2.80 TAB Fixed Odds).
Race 2 - 2:00PM INGLIS XTRA BONUS HANDICAP (1150 METRES)
3. Autumn Glow is a $1.8 million half-sister to Group 1 winner In The Congo on debut and she shaped up pretty well to win a Rosehill trial last week. Query if the track deteriorates but on what she's shown to date she will be a major player.
Dangers: 1. Diddle Dumpling ran a couple of respectable races in Group 2 company in the autumn and she warmed up okay in the same trial as Autumn Glow. Barrier could be an issue but if off the fence is the place to be she can be dangerous. 4. Eccedere poked home okay in a blanket finish to her latest trial at Rosehill last week. Merit in both trials to date and wouldn't shock if she shows something on debut. 9. Aeliana had some support at each-way odds when debuting with an even fourth at Hawkesbury. Better for the run and a bit further suits.
How to play it: Autumn Glow WIN ($2.00 TAB Fixed Odds).
Race 3 - 2:35PM EXCEEDANCE @ VINERY STUD HANDICAP (1300 METRES)
8. Yorkshire goes clearly on top, he was dominant on debut in a strong form race then gallant up in class at Randwick where he was attacked and fought on hard to run third. A late check exacerbated the margin. Should take beating.
Dangers: 2. Kadall comes through the same race as Yorkshire where he ran fifth, holding his ground fairly. Ran well first-up behind In Flight and is one of the chances. 4. True To Form is an import who got the job done narrowly first-up at Kembla Grange a month ago on a good track. Stays at the 1300m here so could be vulnerable but can't be overlooked. 5. Mad Deel hasn't raced since April but can perform well fresh at this trip. Fitter for a couple of trials and could run into the placings.
How to play it: Yorkshire WIN ($1.65 TAB Fixed Odds).
Race 4 - 3:10PM PKF NEWCASTLE HANDICAP (1000 METRES)
2. Chief Conductor has a good chance to break through back in class after beaten four lengths by Fleetwood at Randwick third-up in a race where they spread all over the track. Runner-up as favourite in this grade at Canterbury prior and is sure to be competitive.
Dangers: 1. Headwall is the logical horse to beat, he's resuming since November when placed at Kembla Grange on The Gong program over this trip. Likely gets back from the outside gate and charges home at the finish. 6. Party Doll bounced back to her best off a two month gap when far too strong at Hawkesbury at the start of the month. Has to rise in grade now but down 3kg and has a case. 4. Global Empire comes back in trip after a first-up win at Wyong over 1200m and a fourth there at 1300m a bit over a week ago. Honest type who could give a sight.
How to play it: Chief Conductor WIN ($4.20 TAB Fixed Odds).
Race 5 - 3:45PM PKF SYDNEY HANDICAP (1550 METRES)
9. Serene Nic couldn't have been more impressive with her dominant win at Warwick Farm two weeks ago. Solid in the betting there and ran right up to it. Drawn out but just needs a back to follow into the race and she can be hard to hold out again.
Dangers: 8. The Replicant sat outside the leader and hit the front only to be run down late at Warwick Farm last time out. Up 250m here but gets every chance with a soft run from the inside alley. 2. Aristonous has shown flashes of brilliance and is a big watch here first-up since March. Had had two jump outs in Victoria and the trip suits. Keep safe. 5. Jamberoo could bob up in a race like this, he has the blinkers going on after a battling fifth behind West Of Africa here a month ago and has won a trial since. Not out of it.
How to play it: Serene Nic WIN ($4.60 TAB Fixed Odds).
Race 6 - 4:20PM PKF GLOBAL HANDICAP (1800 METRES)
2. County Kilkenny comes out of Highway company but the form through his game second to Victory Roll at Randwick has stood up at this level. Races on speed and handles all ground and the gap to third was considerable last time. Should give a good account.
Dangers: 1. Influential started favourite first-up at Warwick Farm off a seven week break and was game in defeat behind Sailor over a mile. Fitter for that and with the claim and drop in class she has every chance to go one better. 8. Luconi is lightly raced and followed a dominant debut win at Scone with a narrow second at Kembla Grange. Drawn wide once again but on the way up and stays under notice. 6. Let Me Reign won in this grade at Hawkesbury on a good track before an even effort behind Serene Nic at Warwick Farm up in class. Probably doesn't want a heavy track but each-way claims on anything better.
How to play it: County Kilkenny EACH-WAY ($8.50 TAB Fixed Odds).
Race 7 - 4:55PM TAB HANDICAP (1300 METRES)
7. Imposant had no luck two starts ago at Rosehill the saddle slipped last time when a close fourth there. Been right in the market in two runs since a nice Newcastle win and just back a notch in class here she's well worth another chance.
Dangers: 3. Equipage is racing well on all surfaces and picked them up to score at Wyong three weeks ago back onto a good track. Drawn out but tends to get back anyway and should be running on. 9. Alvina's Luck broke through for a dominant maiden win at Scone on a heavy track before a gallant second at Canterbury. Consistent type who should be kept in mind. 6. Lonrioli ran up to her handy first-up performance when third in the same race as at Canterbury. Down 3.5kg and drawn well so shouldn't be far away again.
How to play it: Imposant WIN ($5.00 TAB Fixed Odds).
