Kencella has showed good ability this campaign and looks hard to go past when lining up in the Become An ATC Sponsor BM75 Handicap (1100m) at Canterbury.
The John O’Shea-trained runner kicked off the preparation with two wins before running a narrow third at Randwick-Kensington last start behind Inside Job over 1000m.
The four-year-old gelding goes back up to the 1100m today a distance he won over just three runs back and leading Sydney jockey Nash Rawiller goes on board for the first time.
The last start effort of Kencella rates well on weight adjusted Timeform ratings and back up to the 1100m he can get the better of Inside Job in this one.
Fourth up now, Kencella should be around peak fitness and expecting him to lead from the wide draw and take plenty of running down.
Inside Job, who narrowly got the better of Kencella last start at Rnadick looks the biggest danger and with apprentice jockey Sam Clipperton on board will now carry 59kg.
The David Pfieffer-trained runner will be fitter for the run and has a good record second up previously, winning two of his three starts.
From barrier 6, expecting Inside Job to not be far away once again and should be fighting out the finish of this one.
Shivarchi also rates a mention here third up, having kicked off the preparation with a win at Kembla Grange before stepping up in grade to run fourth behind Inside Job at Randwick-Kensington last start.
The son of General Nediym meets both Kencella and Inside Job better at the weights but has failed both times over 1100m previously and not sure he quite has the ability to get the better of the top two chances.
Based on his last start effort however he must be included among the main hopes but will get back from barrier 7 and need some luck with both Kencella and Inside Job to push forward.
Outside of these there appears to be a couple of each way chances including Full Blast who was last seen when scoring a win over 1350m at Wyong.
Tougher here and may need the run but would not be surprised to see him in the placings.
Kisses also kicks off her campaign for a new yard. She was only moderate in three outings last preparation but won a trial leading into this and is worth some consideration here.
The aptly named Merry Christmas won all three races last campaign in easier and first up here also has place claims based on that winning form.
