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By Ray Hickson

Tips and race by race preview by Ray Hickson for Monday’s Cessnock Cup meeting at Beaumont. Selections based on a good track.

5. Foolish has trialled just once, on a heavy track, and looked a promising type scoring an easy win. Sure to get plenty of favours from the inside alley and on his trial he should be hard to beat.

Dangers: 1. Eptiwins is an interesting runner, a former Hong Kong galloper who has won two synthetic trials this month. That makes him even harder to line up. Has the 4kg claim and drawn well. Big watch. 8. Star Buyer showed improvement into his second start at Goulburn running into third on a day it was hard to make ground. Drawn out again but chance with any luck. 3. Volileo is another first starter with just one trial and he wasn’t particularly pressured in a close second at Muswellbrook. Betting a guide but no surprise to see him run well.

How to play it: Foolish WIN ($1.90 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Foolish wins a trial at Newcastle on October 13

5. Dungassen showed some promise in her first prep earlier this year with close up efforts in a couple of strong country features. No public trials leading into this but drawn well and should be competitive.

Dangers: 8. Power Conductor is a first starter from the Lees stable and she’s trialled quite well on two occasions. Plenty to like about her chances with the inside alley and has to be respected. 4. Weona Karioi was competitive in all five starts in Queensland and resumes for new stable. Recent trial was handy and with even luck from the barrier could be in the finish. 1. Slick Heels debuted in a 900m scamper back in May and hit the line okay. Resumes with two trials and 1200m so might pay to keep safe.

How to play it: Dungassen WIN ($2.60 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Dungassen runs fourth at Scone in May

10. Elarski has found a wide open race to debut in and wasn’t pressured in an open class trial at Warwick Farm earlier this month. Be guided by the market but wouldn’t shock if she ran well. Each-way.

Dangers: 3. Argyll Gardens ran an improved race third-up to finish second at Newcastle on a soft track. She was 40/1 there so needs to repeat the effort but less depth in this event. 12. Zelberg tends to like to lead and gave a sight on a heavy track at Taree last time. Has had plenty of chances all the same but with a light weight and gate one could give them something to run down. 4. Wandering Dreams is on debut for Kris Lees and he hasn’t set the world on fire in his recent trials but they were over shorter trips. Draws well and perhaps race day brings out the best in him.

How to play it: Elarski E/W ($13 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Elarski runs fourth in a Warwick Farm trial on October 5

2. Yulong Monceros won well at Tamworth two runs back on heavy ground then dropped in trip and was strong late at Newcastle. Down in grade, well drawn and good chance to bounce back.

Dangers: 5. All That Sass was narrowly beaten three runs back at Muswellbrook and disappointed last time on a soft track at Newcastle. Likely appreciates a firmer surface here and capable of improvement. 10. Vicky’s One is an up and comer who broke through for a maiden win on a heavy track at Taree recently. Has to do it again on a good track but has the scope to measure up. 1. Pomme La Belle hasn’t won first-up but is more than capable of showing up with the right run. Fitter for a couple of recent trials and best form is good enough.

How to play it: Yulong Monceros WIN ($3.50 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Yulong Monceros runs fifth at Newcastle on October 16

4. Bak Da Man is worth a look, especially if there’s support, first-up for Nathan Doyle on the back of a very nice trial at Newcastle recently. Only win is at a mile to date but with the claim and handy draw is dangerous.

Dangers: 5. Five Crowns was a minor drifter on debut but got the job done fighting off a late challenge at Muswellbrook. On the up and no reason he couldn’t go on with it. 9. Bravio has been freshened up since fading when well in the market at Newcastle in early September. Trialled well in the same heat as Bak Da Man and is well worth another chance. 6. Our Cousin Al ran below his best at Port Macquarie two starts back but efforts either side were sound and has his chance from a soft draw to be somewhere in the finish.

How to play it: Bak Da Man WIN ($4.00 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Bak Da Man runs third in a Newcastle trial on October 13

2. Dark Herring won in good style at Goulburn (provincial) at her second start then drifter in betting but far from disgraced just missing a place at the same track. Back 50m but draws to get a nice run and coming back to country grade suits. Go well.

Dangers: 9. Zakor ran well at Tamworth two starts back to be narrowly beaten then had support and sat outside Nadaraja at Scone but then dropped out. Much better than that run suggests and he’s worth another chance back in class. 10. Dawntillarvi was supported into favourite first-up at Port Macquarie and just didn’t let down after having a nice enough run. Battled into fifth. Fitter for that and with gate one she’s capable of better. 7. Victorella resumed with a promising effort to run second at Muswellbrook over 1000m. Didn’t come up last time in so she might be back on track and with even luck she could be placed at least.

How to play it: Dark Herring WIN ($6.00 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Dark Herring runs fourth at Goulburn on October 9

2. Arabolini is a bold front runner who has been game in defeat with seconds at his past three starts, the last two in metro BM72 company. Goes on wet and dry and is the one they have to run down. Read trainer John Cooper's comments here.

Dangers: 3. Birdonawinningpost meets Arabolini 2kg better for their meeting at Warwick Farm on October 13 but has four lengths to make up. She’s honest and won at this trip at Tamworth three runs back. Looks the danger. 4. Marakopa will be fitter for a first-up third at Hawkesbury over 1800m a couple of weeks ago. Yet to place second-up but is in his right distance range and blinkers go back on. Definite chance. 5. Unwavering Faith is lightly raced having just her 10th start and she was a big drifter at Newcastle last time when finishing fifth. Has a few lengths to make up on Birdonawinningpost for that clash but entitled to another chance.

How to play it: Arabolini WIN ($2.50 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Arabolini runs second at Warwick Farm on October 13

4. Charmmebaby rushed home when resuming to just miss then favourite at Taree but couldn’t reel them in on a heavy track on the back up. Forgive that, she’s much fitter, drawn well and this distance range is her best. Hard to hold out.

Dangers: 1. Darleb tried hard at Kensington two starts back to chase down Escaped then even effort at the same track and just held ground. Back in class here on all four runs this prep and capable of featuring. 8. Cecelia is unbeaten second-up and she resumed with a solid win at Newcastle last week when well supported. Can only be fitter and her record suggests she has to be respected. 7. Niteride had been going well without winning before a fast finishing victory at Newcastle over 1300m a few weeks ago. No harder here and he’s generally consistent so keep in mind.

How to play it: Charmmebaby E/W ($4.00 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Charmmebaby runs second at Port Macquarie on October 8

All the fields, form and replays for Monday’s Beaumont (Newcastle) meeting