Race-by-race preview and tips for Kensington on Wednesday
By Ray Hickson
Selections based on a good track.
Race 1 - 12:50PM FURPHY HANDICAP (1550 METRES)
4. Raf Attack shapes as a big improver on his debut at Newcastle where he was hard in the market but a slow start had him on the back foot and he didn’t really recover. Not a bad effort to finish on their heels and stepping up in distance looks a plus. Go well.
Dangers: 6. Dunbelievin’ has trialled since his closing sixth behind The Little Pumper at Randwick in Saturday company. He had a little support there and is bred to appreciate more ground. Blinkers on and he’s to be respected. 5. Le Chocolat started $26 at his second outing at Rosehill where he sat fourth in the one-one and held his ground. That was at 1200m so he could jump out of the ground up in distance. Keep safe. 2. Cicada scored a narrow win in a 1207m trial just over a week ago so the trip should suit on debut. Check betting for a push.
How to play it: Raf Attack E/W.
Race 2 - 1:25PM DRINKWISE PLATE (1100 METRES)
14. Summer Loving is going to get back from a wide gate but she has a touch of quality about her. Placed in her first three starts in the Golden Gift and Magic Millions races before a failure in the Sweet Embrace. Liked her recent trial and if they can run on she’ll be hard to hold out.
Dangers: 1. Coincide comes through the same race where he led and held on OK for third. He’ll likely lead again from the inside alley and with added fitness could take running down. 2. Dimitrov has shown some ability in his recent trials and comes off a win over 1050m at Randwick almost three weeks ago. Drawn well and has claims. 13. Hellbent On You debuted in the Magic Night and finished midfield as a $51 chance. One to keep an eye on.
How to play it: Summer Loving WIN.
Race 3 - 2:00PM BIVOUAC @ DARLEY HANDICAP (1800 METRES)
6. Villaden looks to be running back into form and the support was there to say he’d perform when runner-up at Canterbury last week. Should enjoy a similar run just off the pace and in an even race it’ll be no surprise if he goes one better.
Dangers: 3. New Republic is racing in consistent form and he arrived just in time to win over 1900m at Canterbury three weeks ago in this class. Up 2kg but no harder here and the third horse from that race has since won. Definite chance. 2. The Milkybar Kid led them up when resuming over a mile and was reeled in comfortably but he’ll be fitter and has the blinkers back on. Expect him to lead and if he’s more switched on take catching. 1. Main Stage tends to improve with racing so he made an encouraging return when third at Warwick Farm over a mile. Likes this track and he has some claims.
How to play it: Villaden WIN.
Race 4 - 2:35PM STAR TURN @ VINERY STUD HANDICAP (1550 METRES)
6. Bat Out Of Hell had no luck at all when placed at Randwick last start after being bailed away on the fence behind the lead. Didn’t get a shot at them there. He’s bursting to win a race and you’d imagine clear air won’t be an issue from the draw. Clearly the one to beat.
Dangers: 5. Fuller is racing consistently without winning. Found himself leading last time at Canterbury over 1900m and he boxed on for fourth as favourite. He’s found another winnable race and if things work out for him in the run he’s a big chance. 8. Sweysive won over 1300m here a month ago then up in class he ran an even race at Rosehill. Perhaps a little less depth in this one and he can improve. 9. The Replicant ran on into third in a good form race over this course two starts back then just OK at Warwick Farm last time out. Inside gate a plus and he’s generally not too far away.
How to play it: Bat Out Of Hell WIN; Trifecta 6/5,8,9/5,8,9.
Race 5 - 3:10PM HITOTSU @ ARROWFIELD PLATE (1550 METRES)
8. Howgoodareyou is the emerging horse and she handled a solid class rise from her maiden win to be run down late at Rosehill. Back to fillies and mares grade here, likely leads from the inside gate and she has a good chance to defy them.
Dangers: 6. Principessa broke through for an overdue win here a month ago then too far back but still ran on strongly up in grade at Rosehill. Not badly treated back in class and she will again be running on. Tempo and/or pattern probably decides her fate. 4. Hellavadancer was well supported but didn’t fire here second-up then back to her best with a solid on pace win at Wyong under 61kg. Sure to be competitive. 3. Centrestone has mixed her form, shade disappointing up in class at Randwick but ran a handy race when runner-up at Warwick Farm prior. Worth including in the chances.
How to play it: Howgoodareyou WIN; Trifecta 8/3,4,6/3,4,6.
Race 6 - 3:45PM RANVET HANDICAP (1250 METRES)
2. Capital Asset is yet to win first-up but does appear to have come up nicely based on his latest trial last week when he held a smart race-fit galloper comfortably. Should get a nice run and if he performs up to his trial he’ll run a big race fresh.
Dangers: 3. Mobstar has a good first-up record and was successful fresh last prep at Wyong with a big finish from the back. Trials have been quiet but if there’s any support it would suggest he’ll be hitting the strongly. 1. Sebrenco hasn’t raced since mid-April and she’s a horse that often finds herself around the money when fresh. Draw probably sees her settle just behind the speed and if that’s the case she could feature. 11. Sha Of Gomer is back in Sydney after campaigning in Queensland with some success over summer. That has to be a good sign and he can be kept in mind.
How to play it: Capital Asset E/W.
Race 7 - 4:20PM TAB HANDICAP (1100 METRES)
1. Miss Kojiki was strong at the finish when resuming with a nice win at Canterbury three weeks ago and while up 2kg it appears she’ll enjoy a similar passage. Can only be fitter and she rarely runs a bad race so is a good each-way hope again.
Dangers: 5. Mission Value has some interesting form around him from last preparation including a second behind Think About It. Now with that horse’s trainer Joe Pride and while his trial was quiet he has the ability to be dangerous. 3. Stromboli hasn’t raced since the end of December where he disappointed in a BM78 at Randwick. Fitter for a recent trial and drawn the one so if he produces his best he’ll be competitive. 11. Miss Dior held her ground OK first-up back in June in a fast run race won by Passeggiata. Better suited here and open to improvement.
How to play it: Miss Kojiki E/W.
Best Bets: Race 3 (6) Villaden; Race 4 (6) Bat Out Of Hell
Best Value: Race 7 (1) Miss Kojiki
Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au
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