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By Brad Gray

Tips and race by race preview by Brad Gray for Ballina.

8. Victory Lights looked to have the measure of her stablemate 6. First Crusade when they met in a trial back in May. Showed plenty of speed on that occasion so should find himself near the front from the inside draw.

Dangers: 4. Tabulam was forced to drop out to the back of the field on debut from the wide draw before working home strongly. Wasn’t asked to do much in a recent trial but looked to go to the line with plenty to offer.

How to play it: Victory Lights WIN ($3.70 TAB Fixed Odds) Odds & Evens: EVENS

11. Wonderwhen was backed into an odds on favourite at Grafton last start and although she was nabbed late, running a close up third, that SP profile holds plenty of weight in this very winnable maiden. Has the speed to offset the wide draw.

Dangers: Kacy Fogden-trained filly 8. Prophetess did enough at the Gold Coast last start to suggest she warrants plenty of respect in this while first starter 7. Field Of Stars has trialled well.

How to play it: Wonderwhen WIN ($2.70 TAB Fixed Odds) Odds & Evens: SPLIT

4. Marlou Millie was 1100m straight out to 1410m last start at Lismore and like how she found the line behind Think High. She’ll give away another head start from the wide draw but if everything falls into place for her, she’ll go close again.

Dangers: 6. Squeeze Dis was much improved second up out to 1300m when pipped right on the line. Should be in this for a long way again. 2. Blessed Hope looks to possess some talent off his most recent trial. Monitor any market confident.

How to play it: Marlou Millie WIN ($3.40 TAB Fixed Odds) Odds & Evens: EVENS

6. Northern Wilderose maps to get some sort of control of this race in front. That wasn’t the case last start at Bowraville when a beaten $2.20 favourite after she jumped awkwardly. Thought she boxed on well once headed. Back to 1300m suits and a soft track won’t worry her.

Dangers: 7. Dark Euro always runs well fresh and he should camp on the back of Northern Wilderose and get his chance. 1. Xanthus is the class runner but is yet to win beyond 1200m.

How to play it: Northern Wilderose WIN ($4.60 TAB Fixed Odds) Odds & Evens: SPLIT

2. Bel Academy led up over 900m at Newcastle last start but knocked up late. Perhaps the six weeks between runs told late. If she can find the form that saw her win two on the bounce prior to that she’s the horse to beat in this. The barrier doesn’t help but she’s fast.

Dangers: 5. Tobasco could get the drop on the leaders and he is 5:1-1-3 over this track and trip. 6. Wave Maker has obvious claims being lightly raced and having trialled so sweetly at Grafton recently.

How to play it: Bel Academy WIN ($3.70 TAB Fixed Odds) Odds & Evens: SPLIT

3. Storm Attack was headed at Grafton last start but like the way he rallied again late to only be beaten narrowly. Apprentice Jasper Franklin knows this horse well now and will fire him out to take up the running. Hard fit, catch me if you can.

Dangers: 1. Jacksprat was a strong winner at Lismore two back before disappointing last start. Can bounce back. 7. Sawtell was warming up nicely late first up over 1300m. Steps straight out to the mile but will need luck from the draw.

How to play it: Storm Attack WIN ($4.40 TAB Fixed Odds) Odds & Evens: ODDS

8. Monica’s Cigar came into her own over 1700m at her last run before a spell. That’ll have her pegged as a stayer first up over 1250m but from the low draw, with speed in her legs and finding a winnable race, suspect she’ll run a big race.

Dangers: 3. More Than Buttons was visually impressive breaking her maiden at Lismore last start but she certainly didn’t smash the clock. Does map to get the right run, however, which will go a long way to deciding this race.

How to play it: Monica’s Cigar EACH WAY ($21 TAB Fixed Odds) Odds & Evens: SPLIT

All the fields, form and replays for Ballina on Sunday