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Race-by-race tips and preview for Kembla Grange on Thursday

RACE 1 – 1.20PM: WELCOME TO 2019 CLASS 1 & MAIDEN PLATE (2000m)

Typical stayers tactical battle, with Warwick Farm-trained 1. My Kings Counsel ready for this trip third-up. Closed off nicely under the same weight in a BM64 at Newcastle, and leading rider jumps back on five months after steering the four-year-old to his maiden win.

Open: there are plenty of chances on a seven-race card at Kembla.

Open: there are plenty of chances on a seven-race card at Kembla.Credit:Adam McLean

Dangers: Local four-year-old 2. Porky Pies was disappointing last start at Goulburn after dropping back from a stronger city race, but he'll get a sweet run right behind the speed for good trainer/rider combination while local mare 3. Dress Rehearsal has only one win from 27, but two back hit the line hard in a decent grade at Goulburn before dropping out in the much stronger listed Christmas Cup at Randwick. Back in distance big plus. Hawkesbury mare 5. Cool One also continues to improve.
How to play it: My Kings Counsel to win.

RACE 2 – 1.55PM: CANADIAN CLUB CLASS 1 HANDICAP (1600m):

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Another small field where tactics and tempo will be pivotal. Like the profile here for Warwick Farm mare 3. Uber Lux second-up at the mile. Good work at the trials and resumed with a nice on-speed effort at Wyong behind the big-finishing Fuchu which has since won again in the city. Draws to trail a reasonable speed on a track that should suit.
Dangers: Randwick three-year-old 2. Single Story has done little in two runs back from a spell, but returns to the track where he powered home to win on debut in July and then just missed this grade next start. Extra distance suits third-up. Lightly-raced local 1. Happy Seventy was dominant from the front to win his maiden last start in heavy ground and will again give a big sight from the inside draw. Warwick Farm-trained 4. Rubino Veloce has found the line nicely in his last two and with the rider claiming 2kg will be hitting the line hard again.
How to play it: Uber Lux to win and box first four 1-2-3-4-5.

RACE 3 – 2.35PM: SHANE EADES TRANSPORT CLASS 2 HANDICAP (1400m):

Good race. Smart Randwick colt 2. Navigator returns to the track where he won two straight as a short-priced favourite in late winter. Comes to hand quickly for leading stable, and trialled last month at Hawkesbury like he would need the this distance fresh.
Dangers: Wyong mare 4. Judge Judi resumes off a long spell in a suitable race. Hit the line hard in her first two runs last prep. Has had two forward trials over 1000m to prepare for this, and stable is going great guns. Randwick-trained 3. My Zebrinka is back in trip and up in class but draws to park right behind the speed and will be strong to the line. Randwick mare 7. All Sassitude found the right race at Goulburn last start and bolted in from just off the speed, should be in the finish up in trip and down in weight.
How to play it: Navigator to win and box trifecta 2-3-4-7.

RACE 4 – 3.10PM: ANYTIME FITNESS ALBION PARK & SHELLHARBOUR BENCHMARK 64 HANDICAP (1200m):

Tough and competitive race, but very keen first-up on three-year-old Randwick filly 4. Misteed. Powered home to win fresh last time at Canterbury, and looked in great order closing off under a hold in a recent trial.
Dangers: Plenty, headed by Godolphin filly 11. Efficiently which broke through for her first win at third career start, and while this is tougher shes on the rise. Resuming Rosehill five-year-old 1. Aberration is first-up for four months and drawn wide, but has a good fresh record, a significant 3kg claim and is way over the odds. Local colt 6. Sheriff has been consistent en route to easily winning his maiden last start and is in well at the weights but this is much tougher while Randwick-trained last-start winner this grade and track 3. Make 'Em Cry is going well but up sharply in weight. Local eight-year-old 2. Captain Manering has a big weight and wide gate first-up, but a strong fresh record.
How to play it: Misteed to win.

RACE 5 -3.45PM: MARKEY SADDLERY PROV & CTRY MAIDEN HANDICAP (1300m):

Open affair, but local three-year-old filly 5. Musume has run three straight close seconds all at this trip and hard fit is ready to break through.
Dangers: Looks a suitable race fourth-up for local mare 4. Micks New Chick. Been knocking on the door to win her maiden, and well weighted with the riders claim. Big watch on another local three-year-old resuming 8. Chicansalade which was competitive up to the mile in his first prep, and stable renowned for getting them ready.
How to play it: Musume to win.

RACE 6 – 4.20PM: BLG BUSINESS ADVISERS MAIDEN PLATE (1300m):

One of the hardest races to evaluate all day, with a few first-starters and many coming off different trial form, but warming big time to Rosehill three-year-old 5. Rexx which hasnt raced for eight months but has had two trials. The latest was particularly strong when he overraced early but still powered through the line under a good hold.
Dangers: Godolphin-trained 3. Hemsted found the line nicely third-up at Hawkesbury and has a race fitness edge, but drawn very wide while really liked the effort of Randwick mare 7. Emerald Earth which hit the line hard at Newcastle and just missed at Hawkesbury stepping up to 1500m. Of the unraced brigade 10. My Demetra was pushed out in a trial last month, but the effort was good after sitting wide and has form rider aboard.
How to play it: Rexx to win.

RACE 7 – 4.55PM: HAPPY NEW YEAR MAIDEN PLATE (1500m):

Another open battle at set weights. Warwick Farm-trained 1. Baanone was unwanted in betting last start at Newcastle but let down nicely from well back to only miss by a long head. Draws nicely for an ideal rise in trip and has leading rider/trainer polish.
Dangers: Victorian-reared 6. Deelbraka resumed last month hitting the line nicely this track as a well-backed favourite, and extra trip suits, although has drawn a wide gate while Randwick colt 7. Flying Mojo has had three solid runs back in decent city maiden company and should appreciate the big stretch fourth-up. Well-bred 8. Flying Pierro has disappointed this prep, but draws a nice barrier and should be around the finish. Include Warwick Farm filly 12. Age Of War in wide exotics. Two runs back from a spell have been OK, and also draws to get a nice trailing spot on the map.
How to play it: Baanone to win and box trifecta 1-6-7-8.

Kembla Grange Best Bets
Race 1: 1. My Kings Counsel
Race 4: 4. Misteed
Best value
Race 6: 5. Rexx

Supplied by Racing NSW.

Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au

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