Race-by-race preview and tips for Thursday meeting at Kembla Grange

Selections based on a heavy track.

Race 1 - 12.10pm: THE GONG SPRING CARNIVAL IS COMING MAIDEN (1600m)

4. Mega Fight has the hoof right on the till for a breakthrough despite being costly as favourite at his past two starts. Just missed on a heavy 10 at Newcastle before no luck when filling second at Hawkesbury last week when blowing the start. Yet another chance to notch a win.

Racing returns to Kembla Grange on Thursday.Credit: Getty

Dangers: 1. Balmierro was runner-up over this course two starts back on a soft 5 then even effort when fourth at Canterbury last time. Another that’s had a few chances but this is within reach. 9. Pierant has improved with each run this time around and ran into second on a soft 7 at Hawkesbury third-up. Big drifter there but still ran well. Include. 6. Faye Runaway ran her best race in four starts to date when third over this course two weeks ago. Could be placed at least here.

How to play it: Mega Fight WIN

Race 2 - 12.45pm: CARLTON DRY MID 3.5 2YO MAIDEN HANDICAP (1000m)

10. Swelter makes her debut having trialled a number of times in the past six months or so but the latest of those was the best as she ran out a strong winner on a heavy track at Rosehill. If she transfers that to race day she’s a good chance, watch the betting.

Dangers: 7. Cuban Rain made a heap of ground from the back on debut here two weeks ago to run fourth on a soft 6. Might want a little further but the heavy ground might be of assistance on that front. Keep in mind. 4. Fortingall from the Waterhouse/Bott stable has won his past two trials at Randwick over the short 740m course. Unknown on heavy ground but must be respected. 3. Firework is another stepping out for the first time and he did the job quite well on a soft 5 at Wyong to win his second trial. Any support would be encouraging.

How to play it: Swelter EACH-WAY

Race 3 - 1.20pm: CANADIAN CLUB MIDWAY 3YO&UP MAIDEN HANDICAP (1000m)

2. Explosive Torpedo has been hard in the market at both starts and while beaten hasn’t been disgraced. Returns from a year off the scene and looked to handle the heavy ground nicely in winning a Rosehill trial recently. Found a winnable race so very wary of her.

Dangers: 6. Juste Un Clou was around the mark in two starts over the summer at Goulburn and Moruya and was a heavy track trial winner at Kembla a few weeks ago. Gets in with no weight after the claim and stays under notice. 5. Du Cap was taken on in front at Wyong last start when one of the favourites and just boxed on into fourth. Placed twice on heavy tracks and sure to be competitive. 7. Lady Ichikawa showed a bit of promise in her first preparation and resumes with blinkers on and one soft trial. No heavy track exposure but keep safe if she’s here.

How to play it: Explosive Torpedo WIN

Race 4 - 1.55pm: JOIN THE WARRA CLUB TODAY CLASS 1 HANDICAP (1000m)

1. Zaragoza went for a spell an easy winner on a heavy track at Kembla back in January and has trialled twice in good style on wet ground for a return. Ex-Godolphin now with the Prices and if he’s back in similar touch then he’ll be hard to beat again.

Dangers: 5. Flying Rani was a drifter in betting when she went down narrowly first-up at Scone a few weeks ago so will be fitter for it. Yet to see a heavy track but down 2kg and worth considering. 4. Eastern Front was rested after breaking through for a maiden win on a soft 7 at Wyong in February. Two quiet trials since, keep in mind. 3. Scissor Me Timbers held on to win on a heavy track at Nowra over 1400m last start. Back sharply in trip but performed well in both heavy track attempts so has claims.

How to play it: Zaragoza WIN; Trifecta 1/ 3,4,5/3,4,5

Race 5 - 2.35pm: PERONI SUPER MAIDEN PLATE (1200m)

5. Fiorenza was specked at odds in betting at her debut when chasing home a smart one at Kensington a few weeks ago. Wide gate may not be an issue on heavy ground here and if she improves off that first outing she’s hard to beat.

Dangers: 9. Everybody Rise has done nothing wrong in two starts so far and will be fitter for a first- up second on a heavy track at Kensington. Definite chance. 7. Jawharat Dubai hit the front early in the straight but was no match for Charming Legend late when a beaten odds-on favourite at Kensington made it six placings on end. Becoming costly but chance again here. 4. Cellina Di Nardo hasn’t raced since being beaten at $1.40 on debut at Nowra at the end of last year. Trialled twice and will likely give a sight on the speed.

How to play it: Fiorenza WIN

Race 6 - 3.10pm: BECOME AN ITC MEMBER TODAY CONDITIONAL BM68 (1200m)

2. World Alliance resumed with a popular win at Hawkesbury on a soft 6 and is only up marginally in grade into this. Yet to see a heavy but done nothing wrong to date and don’t mind him drawn out there by this stage of the meeting. Good chance.

Dangers: 3. Tulla Park was placed in a similar sort of race here back in November and showed a return to form third-up with a close second at Wagga on a soft 7. Honest type who has each-way claims. 7. French Marine is a good wet tracker who has strung a few placings together of late in varying grades. Claim a plus and capable of winning this. 8. Headstock has been a bit disappointing of late but if he can find his best he’s an each-way hope here, solid fourth at this track two runs back his best effort of late.

How to play it: World Alliance WIN; Trifecta 2/3,7,8/3,7,8

Race 7 - 3.50pm: BALTER PROVINCIAL CLASS 1 HANDICAP (1400m)

5. Sing A Love Song doesn’t win out of turn but comes into this after a solid placing off a month’s break then a closing fourth behind Pure Alph at Kensington on a heavy track. Tends to get back but this looks his best chance to break through in recent times.

Dangers: 6. Vegas Dream is racing consistently though weakened a bit late after leading at Newcastle on a heavy track two weeks ago. Has a heavy 10 placing here to his name and is worth another chance. 7. Madam Rupee was sent out at $101 and was able to round them up from last to win here second-up on a soft 6. Up to her now to back that performance up. 9. Lights Of Paradise led all the way to a maiden win on debut at Scone last month on a soft 6. Harder here but you can only win and she could go on with it.

How to play it: Sing A Love Song WIN.

Race 8 - 4.25pm: EVERGREEN TURF BENCHMARK 64 HANDICAP (1600m)

14. Crystal Waters has been around the mark without winning of late but is a good wet tracker so is at least an each-way chance. Ran on well when runner-up here two weeks ago on a soft 6 and sure to be hitting the line again.

Dangers: 2. Highballer ran a much-improved race when resuming with a game second at Nowra on a heavy 9. Gets some more weight relief here and fitter. Keep in mind. 5. Tiger Town followed an upset Warwick Farm win with an even effort behind Captain Furai at Rosehill on a heavy 9. Down in grade here and well worth including. 6. Loose Love has won three from four on heavy tracks and had good support when scoring on a soft 7 at Goulburn last time out. Returns to the mile here and has a show.

How to play it: Crystal Waters EACH-WAY

Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au