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By Ray Hickson

Tips and race by race preview by Ray Hickson for Sunday’s meeting at Bathurst. Selections based on a soft to heavy track.

12. Wandjina Spirit is a short priced favourite and the horse to beat but she does have some competition in this maiden. Improved on a placing here on debut to be run down late at Dubbo two weeks ago.

Dangers: 4. Set The Scene showed plenty of improvement off a freshen up when a closing third at Dubbo at 1300m. On the way up and a repeat of that effort would make things interesting. 13. Zoisite has had a few chances but sat handy and held on well for second at Dubbo, draws soft and handles all ground. Each-way. 6. Dee Pee Pee made a nice return at her second start at Dubbo, making some ground from midfield. If she can lift from that she's in the finish.

How to play it: Wandjina Spirit WIN ($1.65 TAB Fixed Odds) Odds & Evens: EVENS.

Wandjina Spirit runs second at Dubbo on September 11

1. Sky Ace won easily first-up at Nowra then up to this trip he led again and was run down in the last 200m. That should be the right form and he will take some beating.

Dangers: 4. Mangoola was a popular maiden winner at Muswellbrook at his second start then might not have relished the heavy 10 at Dubbo when a battling fifth. Slightly better ground should assist and he’s in the mix. 7. Tornac showed improvement last tie out for a close third at Moruya over a mile. Just one win in 21 is the concern but has a show. 5. Boorowa Girl is a last start maiden winner here at 1200m so faces a decent hike in trip. Might be worth a look in the small field.

How to play it: Sky Ace WIN ($1.60 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Sky Ace runs second at Hawkesbury on September 8

3. Glowing Gold is another favourite that does look hard to tip against. Debuted in a Listed race and was in the market but failed back in May. Plenty to like about her two trials leading into this race and if she handles the ground is clearly the one.

Dangers: 5. Loud is surely an improver on her debut effort at Hawkesbury where she finished midfield but did get stopped in her tracks in the straight. Wouldn’t have won but adds merit to the effort. Keep safe. 1. Jessandi showed some promise in her first preparation earlier this year and resumes since a Moruya placing in May. Fitter for a recent trial and while 1200m might be short she’s another worth keeping an eye on. 11. Outback Pat next best on her improved showing when fourth at Dubbo though she has had plenty of chances.

How to play it: Glowing Gold WIN ($1.50 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Glowing Gold runs second in a Warwick Farm trial on September 9

7. Motion Legend was okay on debut in a handy maiden at Hawkesbury but he did look to have taken a step forward with a runaway trial win since then. Fitter for those runs and can be expected to run very well here.

Dangers: 2. Ruby Flyer should have finished closer when fifth at Kembla at his second starts. Huge drifter in betting there too which is interesting. Might need a touch of luck but looks a good chance. 1. Tillman has missed a place just once in eight starts and that was in provincial company. Extended out to 1700m last time in and no public trials so may need the run but obviously rarely runs poorly. 12. Nacho Nacho Man went down narrowly at Gilgandra a couple of weeks ago in an 800m maiden. Has the extra trip to contend with and could place.

How to play it: Motion Legend WIN ($2.25 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Motion Legend wins a Warwick Farm trial on September 9

4. Jacenza couldn’t have been more impressive winning on debut at Tamworth, he sat outside the lead and powered away when let go. Natural step up in class, drawn to effect and should be the one to catch.

Dangers: 1. Ticket To Anywhere is a very interesting runner, ex-Annabel Neasham and now with Brett Robb. Given a stern test in a recent Gilgandra trial coming from well back to win. Draw doesn’t help but must respect. 6. Movin’ Denman has been a little disappointing at his last couple, well supported last time at Muswellbrook and was only fair but is capable of being in the finish here. 5. Almorah wasn't disgraced when fourth at Dubbo in a handy Class 1 a couple of weeks ago. Has place claims here.

How to play it: Jacenza WIN ($1.80 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Jacenza wins at Tamworth on September 12

14. Izfallingdown produced an eye-catcher first-up at Hawkesbury charging into fourth over 1100m. Will relish the extra distance and handles wet tracks well. Chance he could find it short but has to be an each-way hope.

Dangers: 12. Tough Case has been freshened up since a second-up failure at Muswellbrook at the end of July. Go on his excellent first-up effort at Gosford on a heavy track. Doesn’t win out of turn but one of the chances. 4. Power Bank has hit his straps with wins at Gilgandra and Forbes and while there’s a bit more depth here his resolve can’t be faulted lately. Each-way claims. 2. Deshawn defied a betting drift to win here back in August then favourite and had his chance at Gilgandra. Pretty consistent type who is hard to leave out of the chances.

How to play it: Izfallingdown E/W ($9.00 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: EVENS.

Izfallingdown runs fourth at Hawkesbury on September 8

*BIG DANCE ELIGIBILITY *

12. Deel With Me was shaping up well with placings in two runs back at 1400m then stepped to this trip and was only getting warm from well back at the finish. Ready to fire and should be hard to hold out.

Dangers: 1. Tampering has the big weight to carry but brings some solid city form into the race with a last start third to Waterford, who looks very smart. Will likely roll forward to a degree and is a threat. 3. Cognac broke through a tough win at Kensington two starts ago then tried hard in the Dubbo Cup beaten just under two lengths. Honest on pacer who is capable of giving a sight. 11. Fanmalia can be forgiven for his failure at Warwick Farm in a race dominated on pace. Always well back and didn’t make an impression there. Form prior good enough to put him in the mix.

How to play it: Deel With Me E/W ($4.80 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Deel With Me runs third at Kembla Grange

15. Participator was huge when resuming in a Highway at 1100m then complete forgive run at Randwick last time where you needed to be on pace and near the rail and he was back last from a wide gate. Trip suits and looks hard to beat.

Dangers: 7. Don’tforgetmonica won a Highway first-up then forgive Rosehill failure. Back tom her best with a fast finishing second at Muswellbrook at the end of July. Trialled since and is a major player. 9. Super Helpful led all the way for an easy first-up win at Canberra on a heavy track. Fitter and gets a nice 3kg weight drop, draws to be right on the speed and could measure up. 11. Easy Rosie is a consistent mare and she was solid at Hawkesbury last time behind a subsequent Midway winner. Include in the chances.

How to play it: Participator WIN ($4.20 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Participator’s first-up second at Randwick

All the fields, form and replays for Sunday’s meeting at Bathurst