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By Ray Hickson

Tips and race by race preview by Ray Hickson for Sunday’s Coffs Harbour meeting. Selections based on a soft track.

1. Ask The Question makes his debut as a 6yo but there was plenty to like about his late burst at the end of his Grafton trial a couple of weeks ago. Appears to get some favours from the inside gate and if he’s as strong on race day as he was in the trial he can go close.

Dangers: 2. Mawsons Expedition had some support off a break over the 805m here and led before being reeled in late. Fitter for that and sure to give a good sight again. 5. Billybago was never in the hunt at Kempsey last time onto a good track off two soft track placings. Better for the sting out of the ground here and capable of improvement. 6. Angelinthenightsky gets away from a heavy track here after leading and weakening at Taree a month ago. Draws well and wouldn’t surprise if she showed a bit more.

How to play it: Ask The Question WIN ($4.40 TAB Fixed Odds).

Ask The Question runs second in a Grafton trial on August 31

6. Mougenot is an interesting runner from the Ciaron Maher stable making his debut. Hasn’t trialled since late June when a handy second at Randwick. Market some guide but looks well placed at this level first-up.

Dangers: 7. Pony Soprano is another stepping out for the first time and did it easily in winning a Port Macquarie trial earlier this month. Could take some running down. 5. Selfless Valour was a beaten favourite in a similar race here at her second start, holding her ground okay. Has to be included in the chances. 3. Santos El Halper ran an improved race at Moree last time when supported at odds. Back in trip but drawn well and has place claims.

How to play it: Mougenot WIN ($2.40 TAB Fixed Odds).

Mougenot runs second in a Randwick trial on June 28

9. Pennies Destiny is one of a few in this race to have had a number of chances but she does seem to be suited here at first run for new stable after a close up fourth at Grafton two weeks ago where she closed off okay. Was in the market there too so hard to beat in this.

Dangers: 11. Talakai was placed at Gatton second-up, hitting the line hard, then always well back off a wide gate at the Sunshine Coast and didn’t get into it at all. Entitled to another chance from a kind draw. 4. Rebel One has been thereabouts of late with three placings from his last five starts. Just fair onto a good track at Kempsey last time but could be an improver here. 10. Shukkas ran an improved last here last time and perhaps stepping up in trip might be a plus for her. Place claims.

How to play it: Pennies Destiny WIN ($5.00 TAB Fixed Odds).

Pennies Destiny runs fourth at Grafton on August 31

7. Revealer showed improvement into her second-up run at Kempsey, finding the line well into second. Back slightly in class here and on home track. Doesn’t win out of turn but has a good chance to break through.

Dangers: 4. Aye Aye Skipper failed at Grafton two back then a much better effort at this track last time when making some ground to be beaten 1.8 lengths. Back to the 1000m but drawn well and has to be considered. 2. West Germany hasn’t raced for almost two years so will improve on whatever he does here. Fitter for a handy enough trial at Grafton and could show up. 11. Vocation led and battled on fairly over this course earlier this month. Similar sort of task here so uif he gets some control he could take running down.

How to play it: Revealer EACH WAY ($6.50 TAB Fixed Odds).

Revealer runs second at Kempsey on September 2

4. Boncassie was runner-up to Shamaton in the Daniel Baker sprint here and has raced twice in Brisbane and didn’t fire. Draws okay and has an imposing record on her home track. Definite chance.

Dangers: 6. Never Sorry resumed with a fair effort at Newcastle when specked in the betting at odds. Has won here and will be fitter so stays under notice. 5. Baglioni led and gave a bit of a sight when runner-up over a mile here last time in his best effort so far this prep. Probably kicks through from the inside and can show up. 2. Oakfield Prince will be fitter for a first-up run at Newcastle three weeks ago when a slight drifter in betting. Rikks firward here and look for an improved showing.

How to play it: Boncassie WIN ($5.00 TAB Fixed Odds).

Boncassie runs second at Coffs Harbour on August 2

2. My Mate Cobber looks well placed to break through for a second win after a string of solid efforts at Newcastle this time in. Won a maiden in June and placed last couple including a nice effort to run into third over a mile a few weeks ago. Should go well.

Dangers: 5. Reel Torque shook off a failure at $101 in August and was a different horse leading all the way to a four length win here a month later. Up to 1400m now but if he repeats that sort of effort is right in this. 3. Toy Story is getting close to another win after placings at Tuncurry and Newcastle, the latest behind a smart city-trained galloper. Will need a little luck but has to be considered. 6. Atomic Forty Seven has been thereabouts and is back a notch here after a fair fourth at Newcastle when leading just under two weeks ago.

How to play it: My Mate Cobber WIN ($4.40 TAB Fixed Odds).

My Mate Cobber runs third at Newcastle on August 24

12. Intoxel is a consistent mare with three seconds from her last four starts. She’s been favourite in her past two and may have just found the 1320m a shade beyond her at Lismore a month ago. Suited here and should be somewhere in the finish.

Dangers: 5. Super Jaie had support and ran out a comfortable winner at Kempsey two weeks ago. Down in grade so up in the weights but well drawn and has strong claims. 4. La Cache A Vin hasn’t done a lot wrong and it’s really only the barrier that’s against him. Tried hard for a close third in a similar race here last time and is in the mix. 1. Kevin McKeen won on a heavy track first-up then straight to a good 3 and didn’t get into the race turning near last. Sting out helps his cause and he could bounce back to form.

How to play it: Intoxel WIN ($4.80 TAB Fixed Odds).

Intoxel runs second at Lismore on August 5

All the fields, form and replays for Sunday’s Coffs Harbour meeting