Raceday focus: Best bets, inside mail for Kensington

A promising three-year-old from the Team Hawkes stable looks well placed to kick off his preparation with a win. BEST BETS, INSIDE MAIL

Trainers Wayne and John Hawkes (pictured) along with Michael Hawkes have found an ideal race for Airman to resume with a win at Kensington on Wednesday. Picture: AAP Image

Form analyst Mitch Cohen gives his best bets and runs the rule over every race for Kensington on Wednesday.

The Form: Complete NSW Racing thoroughbred form, including video replays and all you need to know about every horse, jockey and trainer. Find a winner here!

KENSINGTON

BEST BET

Race 4 No. 3: AIRMAN

A Hawkes Racing-trained galloper resuming from a break. Has won both of his previous first-up runs and looks above average.

NEXT BEST

Race 3 No. 11: WAIKIKI

The Chris Waller-trained filly can make a winning return from a spell with a couple of really nice trials to her name.

VALUE BEST

Race 5 No. 9: DECADENT TALE

Consistent type from the Jason Deamer stable who continues to race well this prep. Gets conditions to suit here.

QUADDIE

Race 5: 1, 3, 8, 9

Race 6: 3, 4, 5, 6

Race 7: 3, 4, 5

Race 8: 5, 9

Apprentice Zac Lloyd has a big book of rides for his return from suspension at Kensington on Wednesday. Picture: Getty Images

JOCKEY TO FOLLOW

Zac Lloyd missed Golden Slipper day through suspension but returns here to a track he rode a treble at last time.

THE INSIDE MAIL FOR KENSINGTON

RACE 1

Kimochi is a daughter of Brave Smash returning for her second preparation. The Gary Portelli-trained filly looked good in her only start last November when making up good ground from the back behind Disneck in Saturday grade. The race experience should hold her in good stead in a race with plenty of chances but she‘s certainly one of them from a good draw. Captain Amelia certainly looked the part when winning on debut at this venue earlier this month. A repeat of that performance should have her around the money. Ballroom Bella, Dipsy Doodle and Oz Empress have all trialled up terrific.

Verdict: Kimochi to win.

RACE 2

Libertad was a one-time $40,000 yearling buy that was sold for more than five times that at the Ready To Race sales. This is his first start but the son of Russian Revolution certainly looks to be a colt with some ability in recent trials. Expecting a strong showing on debut. Stanislaus is a nice type and wasn’t far away at Warwick Farm last time. Third-up now, he should be ready to peak. Capital Heart keeps finding one better but has been racing consistently and will break through eventually.

Verdict: Libertad to win.

RACE 3

Waikiki has been off the scene since last August but looks well placed to make a winning return here. With two runs under her belt last preparation, she looks ready for a big return after trialling up superbly recently. The jockey had a stranglehold on her in her most recent heat and she still won. Iron Man has finished both of his starts over two preparations. Natural improvement second-up is likely for him. Himalaism has placed in five of his 12 starts and is getting closer to finally get a win on the board.

Verdict: Waikiki to win.

James McDonald will partner Waikiki on Wednesday. Picture: Getty Images

RACE 4

Airman is an exciting young sprinter that can bolster his strong fresh record. The Hawkes Racing-trained gelding has won two of his three starts to date and both came first-up. He gets barrier one here and in well after Zac Lloyd‘s 2kg claim to carry 4kg less than his main rival Headwall. Headwall, topweight with 59kg, is an emerging sprinter too after winning three of his four starts to date including last start over 1000m at the Warwick Farm. He’s certainly a danger. Crosswinds and Shadow Vampire should battle out third.

Verdict: Airman to win. Quinella 1, 3.

RACE 5

Decadent Tale is the sort of mare you‘d love to own. She is yet to miss the placings this preparation and boasts a competitive record of four wins and 10 placings from 17 runs. From a perfect draw, she should get every chance to add to her strong resume. Biscayne Bay made an excellent return from a lengthy spell. A former Group 1 VRC Oaks placegetter, you know she is going to come into her own the further she steps up in trip and she gets added distance here. Bon Vivant has placed in every run this prep but is yet to win one. He’s one of the chances again but punters will have to take him on trust.

Verdict: Decadent Tale each way.

RACE 6

Ting Tong does some of his best work fresh and tipping that to continue here. The Kris Lees-trained galloper has finished no worse than second in three first-up runs with a couple of trials set to have him up to the mark here. He should settle close to the speed and take a power of running down. Jupitius got a mile off the winner last start but worked home well for third. If he can settle closer here, he should be around the money again. Stablemate Pretty Amazing is more than capable but needs to recapture the form that won a Group 3 Kembla Grange Classic.

Verdict: Ting Tong to win.

Ting Tong (left) can continue his strong first-up record. Picture: Getty Images

RACE 7

Hawaii Five Oh, the full brother to former sprinter Libertini, is well poised to make a winning debut for a new yard. Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott will take over training the colt after he was last seen finishing runner up in a 1300m event at Newcastle. He won a trial since and gets the in-form Nash Rawiller this time. Cool Jakey will need to overcome the tricky barrier 16 to remain unbeaten. The Mark Newnham-trained gelding should go forward from the gate but we will need to keep something in the tank late. Hokkaido was a winner in Saturday grade before going for a break and should be doing his best work late.

Verdict: Hawaii Five Oh to win.

RACE 8

Cholante was a beaten favourite first-up from a break where she just seemed to peak on her run late. Her only previous second-up run, she won convincingly and expecting her to do the same here. Trusting newly minted Group 1 jockey Tyler Schiller to navigate a path from a sticky draw. Camino Real only two wins have come first-up. She gets J-Mac and barrier five so should get her chance.

Eye See Things is a dynamite fresh performer and can produce another bold showing first-up. She‘s the best of the roughies.

Verdict: Cholante to win.