By Mark Brassel
The Kensington Track is rated a Soft 5 with the rail in the TRUE position. Tuesday’s forecast is for a
cloudy day with a top of 24 degrees.
Race 1 (12:45pm) THE DAWN SERVICE PLATE (1100m)
The Chris Waller-trained 10. Waikiki ($6 on TAB) has only raced twice and was placed on this course when making her debut last July. She has trialled on four occasions since and her latest effort was good, showing plenty of speed before being under a throttle hold late to finish a close third. The booking of ‘Magic Man’ Joao Moreira is a bonus.
Kensington hosts an action-packed program.Credit: Getty
Dangers: The heavily-backed 2. Emperor ($2.25 favourite) was placed in the Breeders’ Plate at Randwick on debut in October 2021. He was outclassed in the Inglis Millennium there in February but has since won two trials impressively at Ballina.
The downside is he’s very short price wise. 9. Terra Mater ($10) has finished second in all three runs and should again give a good sight although up in grade.
How to play it: Waikiki straight out
Odds and Evens: Evens
Race 2 (1:20pm) THE GALLIPOLI CAMPAIGN HANDICAP (1800m)
9. Fun Sunday ($15) rounded them up strongly to score at Wyong then raced wide and worked hard, yet she still got to the line well when just behind the placegetters at Newcastle. This is her first go beyond 1600m but is rock hard fit and looks excellent value at double-figure odds.
Dangers: 7. Lyrical Lady ($6.50) finished well to just miss at Scone before putting her rivals to the sword at Hawkesbury over 2000m.
She is also very fit and doesn’t know how to run a bad race. 10. Miyoshi ($10) improved sharply when runner-up at Warwick Farm and must come into calculations. 8. Cut on a Dime ($9) was a tad disappointing at Canberra when odds-on but won here in February so may pay to give another chance.
How to play it: Stand out quinella 9/7-10-8
Odds and Evens: Odds
Race 3 (1:55pm) THE KOKODA TRAIL HANDICAP (1550m)
2. Toseonthenose ($4.40) was placed at Kembla and Hawkesbury before angling out and finishing hard to score a narrow win at Newcastle.
He seems to be improving with each run and has drawn well in gate four. No doubt he’ll be again hitting the line strongly.
Dangers: Lightly raced colt 3. Yasuke ($4.20) held his ground well when third at Warwick Farm on resumption and should derive plenty of benefit from the outing. 12. Shihab ($9) battled on courageously to score a first-up win at Hawkesbury and looks suited here, while the favourite 1. Token Capitalist ($3.80) has run well in three starts this preparation but is becoming a little costly.
How to play it: Toseonthenose to win
Odds and Evens: Split
Race 4 (2:30pm) ANZAC DAY CUP (2400m)
In a small but tricky distance event, going with 5. Yarrawonga ($3.70 fav) who is the most inexperienced stayer in the field but has more scope for improvement. Led and rallied all the way down the straight when pipped by 4. Casual Connection ($5) at Warwick Farm. Meets that horse 2kg better and should turn the tables.
Dangers: 1. Outlandos ($8) only beat one runner home here last time out but was starting to warm up late so the additional 600m is right up his alley. 2. Deniliquin ($7) won well at Hawkesbury and Warwick Farm but was a shade disappointing last start and can improve.
How to play it: Yarrawonga straight out
Odds and Evens: Odds
Race 5 (3:05pm) THE HOME FRONT HANDICAP (1550m)
4. Fall For Cindy ($3.60) should appreciate a sharp drop in grade here. Last start she was fourth in the Group 3-Carbine Club Stakes at Randwick behind The Fortune Teller. Previously she defeated Beautiful Heart at Kembla with the runner-up franking the form by winning next time out.
Dangers: In her best effort for a while, 8. Cabaca ($7.50) came from last in a big field when just behind the placegetters at Newcastle. Has solid claims should she repeat that effort. 3. Arale ($3.30 fav) led throughout to score at Hawkesbury before weakening for 5th at Warwick Farm after setting a blazing pace and can do better here. Topweight 1. Azarmin ($4.80) improved for 2nd to Pretty Amazing at Hawkesbury with that mare winning in strong company at that course last Saturday.
How to play it: Fall For Cindy the win
Odds and Evens: Evens
Race 6 (3:40pm) THE BATTLE OF BEERSHEBA HANDICAP (1400m)
It may have taken 8. Buillt ($7.50) eight starts to break his maiden status but his first-up victory was impressive. He tracked the speed then took a little while to wind up but when he did, he hit the line strongly. That was his first start for four months so expect further improvement here.
Dangers: 4. La Pittrice ($5.50 fav) stormed home to score a narrow win at Warwick Farm then put in a strong performance when 4th in the Gr 3-James Carr Stakes at Randwick, finishing on terms with the favourite Magic Time. That’s great form for this. 10. Tragara ($10) led all the way to win at Kembla and is honest as the day is long and must go in. 6. Cosmic Field ($11) won his first two starts before failing in the heavy going at Randwick and will do better here on the drier ground.
How to play it: Box the quinella 8-4-10-6
Odds and Evens: Evens
Race 7 (4:15pm) THE LIGHT HORSE BRIGADE HANDICAP (1000m)
11. Plundering ($5) won his first two starts in Queensland before fifth at Eagle Farm in October and was then spelled. Lovely Warwick Farm trial to prepare for this, finishing strongly under little riding. Drawn to get a nice smother and should go well fresh.
Dangers: 2. Command Approved ($4.60 fav) won at Wyong and Warwick Farm before finishing third (of four) at Moonee Valley after being involved in a speed battle and left a sitting shot.
Has the services of J-Mac. 1. Nasturtium ($6) is fast and won his first three starts. Not seen since fourth at Moonee Valley but trialled nicely at Rosehill. 6. Prince Invisible ($12) battled on solidly when runner-up at Warwick Farm and continues to race well.
How to play it: Stand-out quinella 11/2-1-6
Odds and Evens: Split
Race 8 (4:50pm) THE LAST POST HANDICAP (1400m)
Irish import 17. Master Copy ($8) was highly impressive winning his last two starts at Kembla and Wyong late last year before heading to the paddock. Resuming here and has had the benefit of two barrier trials, although he didn’t set the world on fire in those trials, expect him to show up on raceday with the in-form Nash Rawiller the pilot.
Dangers: 12. Money From The Sky ($4 fav) did a mountain of work when runner-up at Warwick Farm after being last at the 650m and circling the field, only to run out of puff late. Will be further improved and should again be hitting the line hard. 13. Invincible Vision ($9) has plenty of speed which should offset his wide barrier and will be in it for a long way. Former Kiwi 7. King of the Castle ($15) caught the eye when resuming, making solid ground late and is certain to have improved.
How to play it: Box a quinella 17-12-13-7
Odds and Evens: Split
Best Bets: Race 4 (No.5) Yarrawonga ($3.70 fav)
Race 5 (No.4) Fall for Cindy ($3.60)
Best Value: Race 2 (No.9) Fun Sunday ($15)
Race 6 (No.8) Buillt ($7.50)
