Kensington Racing Preview: Mafia Ready to Strike in Race 6
Trainer Mitch Beer is confident that front-runner Mafia will be hard to beat in the Kia Northern Region Dealer Of The Year Handicap (1250m) at Kensington on Wednesday. The gelding has his third run from a break and Beer believes the combination of fitness and a drop in class will see him return to winning form.
Mafia contested two Benchmark 78 races this preparation, finishing fourth after leading at Canterbury three weeks ago. Beer said the horse needs runs to reach peak fitness due to his one-dimensional front-running style. "It's hard with those horses that are one dimensional, that jump and go forward and they blow out and you think 'that's disappointing','' Beer said. "You can gallop him and jump him out until you're blue in the face but he takes those runs to get back to match day fitness."
The five-year-old was a winner at Canterbury in similar grade last November. Beer, who co-trains with George Carpenter, plans to test Mafia over longer distances soon. "I think he's coming in at a perfect time of year,'' he said. "We were really keen to get him to 1400m this preparation, there's a Midway 1400m in 10 days."
Beer also has talented mare Sunrise heading to Scone on Saturday after her first-up run in the Hawkesbury Rush. "She probably needed that run first-up, she drew one and was stuck on the fence which wasn't the ideal position on the day,'' he said. "I'm sure there's a benchmark Saturday race in her over winter."
Race-by-Race Preview and Tips
Selections are based on a soft track.
Race 1 - 12:15PM: Hawaii Five Oh @ Vinery Stud Handicap (1400m)
Nations League sat on the speed last time in the Clarendon at Hawkesbury and was game in defeat. Ran well behind St Gotthard first-up. Drawn wide but can slide forward. Has the form on the board and looks hard to beat.
Dangers: 11. Krasina is on the back up after an eye-catching first-up fourth over 1000m at Warwick Farm. 2. Unhinged led on debut at Kembla and boxed on well. 4. Tron Bolt produced a handy third on debut.
How to play it: Nations League WIN.
Race 2 - 12:50PM: TAB Plate (1400m)
Peace Bird has a good each-way prospect third-up. She improved with each run and looks ready for 1400m. Ran well fresh before sitting on speed at Gosford. Draws to have her chance.
Dangers: 6. Nuclear Pete made a good debut, running into a close third from well back. 2. Cellphone found himself in front here with blinkers and was only reeled in late over 1550m. 1. Adenauer held his ground when resuming at Canterbury.
How to play it: Peace Bird EACH-WAY.
Race 3 - 1:25PM: Kia Central Region Dealer Of The Year Handicap (1300m)
Alphard may be living up to early promise after a dominant first-up win as a gelding at Newcastle. He led all the way and put a big margin on rivals. Steps up but does so with confidence.
Dangers: 1. Ernaux has strong form through her game second at Randwick on Anzac Day. 2. I Am Carrot put two provincial wins together before running second in this class in January. 4. Siragusa held his ground behind Enamorada at Randwick.
How to play it: Alphard WIN.
Race 4 - 2:00PM: Kia Southern Region Dealer Of The Year Handicap (1800m)
Oso Spirited has returned in great style with a maiden win then two seconds in stronger grade. Led at Canterbury and only run down late. Should give a good account.
Dangers: 3. Nasebah is a big market watch at local debut. Import with two synthetic starts and three trials. 2. War Ribbon improved second-up when fourth in same race as Oso Spirited. 9. Wounder is fitter for two runs back and rise in distance suits.
How to play it: Oso Spirited WIN.
Race 5 - 2:35PM: Kia Western Region Dealer Of The Year Handicap (1800m)
Chispa has been okay in two runs since a gap, left with work to do from the back. Rise in distance is interesting. Happy to give another chance in a winnable race.
Dangers: 7. Stellar Rhonda has won at Nowra and Gosford as favourite. 9. Luna Bay has been competitive over further, drawn well. 2. Stay Tuned did enough when resuming at 1500m.
How to play it: Chispa WIN.
Race 6 - 3:10PM: Kia Northern Region Dealer Of The Year Handicap (1250m)
Mafia is a front runner who handles most conditions and should be ready after two runs back. Improved sharply into his second run when well supported at Canterbury but just faded late. Will give a good sight up front.
Dangers: 3. The Extreme Cat rounded them up with 61kg when resuming at Scone then made late ground in same race as Mafia. 7. West Of Dalby ran her best race for a while to charge into second. 2. High Blue Sea is capable and was a recent trial winner.
How to play it: Mafia WIN.
Race 7 - 3:45PM: Kia Eastern Region Dealer Of The Year Handicap (1250m)
Fleeting Spirit doesn't win out of turn but this is a nice chance. Found the line well here when resuming at 1100m. Tends to improve with racing and performs at this track.
Dangers: 6. Invisible Magic ran on from last to be beaten half a length when resuming at Newcastle. 8. Mrs Maree was too slick breaking through at Wyong then run down at Kembla. 2. Mamushka wants a dry track and raced honestly through summer.
How to play it: Fleeting Spirit WIN.
Race 8 - 4:20PM: Kia National Dealer Of The Year Handicap (1400m)
Crossbow won nicely over this track and distance in late March at big odds, then ran a handy fifth behind Nobler at Randwick. Form has stood up. No reason to expect he won't be competitive.
Dangers: 7. Theblade won twice at end of last preparation before resuming in Melbourne. 1. Cellarmaster tends to take a run before effective but 1400m first-up is a plus. 9. Unique Ambition stormed down the middle to win a Midway at Randwick a month ago.
How to play it: Crossbow WIN.
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