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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 heavy track.

All first starters on a heavy track and we only have trial form to go on. 10. Sneak Leveque rounded up several of her opposition here in a winning a heavy 10 trial at Coffs recently and goes on top on that score, wide gate probably a plus too as they tend to head tok the outside in heavy ground.

Dangers: 9. Really Motivated wasn’t asked for the big effort in running second in that trial, working to the line nicely so could turn the tables without surprising. 8. Pelting comes through a different trial at Wyong where she was beaten six lengths but the winner did run them along and broke the field up. Well worth respecting. 2. Olakau’atu led the Coffs trial and was also not extended in running third as the first two picked him up wider on the track. Again, he could easily improve and betting should be considered.

How to play it: Sneak Leveque WIN ($3.30 TAB Fixed Odds) Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Sneak Leveque wins a trial at Coffs Harbour on December 30

1. Aheadofhistime is the best horse in the race and it may be a matter of his fitness first-up on a heavy track. He wasn’t disgraced in The Kosciuszko at his last run, finishing midfield, and was an easy winner of his last two runs at this track. Very well weighted and hard to beat.

Dangers: 6. Lashoni has put in a couple of handy efforts at Wyong at her past couple including a close third behind Toto almost a month ago. Chance if she can hold that form on a heavy track. 4. Acoustix has returned in excellent form and led all the way to win at Lismore last time. Placed two of three in the heavy and will give a good sight up on the speed here. 2. Capri Lane hasn’t raced for a month since an all the way heavy track win at Tuncurry when a big drifter in betting. Fought hard there. Fitter for a trial win last week and worth thought.

How to play it: Aheadofhistime WIN ($5.00 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Aheadofhistime runs seventh in The Kosciuszko at Randwick

5. Ambitious Fella was never in it on debut in a 900m 2yo race back in June and that’s not likely a guide to his ability. Trialled twice on heavy tracks recently and the latest was an excellent one. Likely to perform much better at this sort of trip. Go well.

Dangers: 2. Consulaide debuted with an even effort to run fourth at Grafton back in April and hasn’t been seen in any public trials of late so he’s a big watch. Trained here and well worth respecting. 9. Lucky Rascal has finished just behind the placings at his past couple including a heavy track fourth at Murwillumbah. Not a lot of depth here and he could improve. 8. Consensio is new to the Joanne Hardy stable and hasn’t trialled in public. Victorian form wasn’t that great though did debut with a reasonable effort. Watch betting.

How to play it: Ambitious Fella E/W ($6.50 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Ambitious Fella runs second in a trial at Coffs Harbour on December 30

5. Dawnburst is enjoying a strong preparation and held her ground well at Newcastle last time when runner-up on a good track a month ago. Previous three runs were on soft 6 and 7 so the ground should be no worries and she looks hard to beat.

Dangers: 1. Uno Amor has placed in two of three this time in including a solid second on a heavy 10 at this track just over a week ago. Close to a win and must be respected despite big weight. 6. Cotton Caper was an easy winner on a heavy 10 here two starts back then up in class in similar conditions and wasn’t far away in fourth, both at 1012m. Extra trip may be a small concern but handles the ground so has to go in. 4. Little Prophet has been thereabouts of late and had some support last start when fourth in a similar even here. Each-way claims.

How to play it: Dawnburst WIN ($3.10 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Dawnburst runs second at Newcastle on December 13

4. Ilovethegame is ready for a peak run this preparation after a nice third-up effort on a heavy track here just over a week ago. Was well supported there and wide draw looks a plus in these conditions. Sure to be in the finish.

Dangers: 1. Zaidin was six weeks between runs when a close up fourth at Inverell last week. Found the line nicely there and has handled heavy tracks in the past. Fitter and good chance. 3. Bonchevo posted his first heavy track win when he finished too well to score over 1012m here first-up. Lightly raced and has won second-up. Has a case. 7. Cutting Loose gave a good sight here two runs back on a heavy track then back on top of the ground when placed at Ballina. Racing well and is in the mix.

How to play it: Ilovethegame WIN ($4.80 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Ilovethegame runs third at Coffs Harbour on December 30

9. Majestic Rapture won at Murwillumbah on a heavy track before an even effort back on top of the ground at Ballina when running into third. Well worth including returning to wet ground.

Dangers: 1. Haverion disappointed last couple up in class and is capable of improving coming back a notch here. Is a heavy track winner and best form is good enough to have him in the mix. 5. Hurricane Max failed to beat one home in a three horse race as favourite two starts ago but better last time at Ballina. Mixes his form but worth throwing in the chances. 3. Praeferox was a beaten favourite at Wauchope on Boxing Day but won on a soft 7 at Ballina three runs back and could get into the finish.

How to play it: Majestic Rapture E/W ($10 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Majestic Rapture runs third at Ballina on December 26

3. Lisztomania made a promising debut over 810m on a heavy here running on from well back into fourth. Fitter for that and the extra ground looks a plus. Wide gate should be an advantage by this stage and he’s hard to hold out.

Dangers: 6. Percontation showed some promise with a string of third placings, including two on heavy tracks, earlier this year and resumes without a trial. Keep an eye on betting. 11. Shadow Snow is an interesting first starter who trialled okay at her only public outing just over a week back. Whether gate one is a help will be known by this stage of the day. Keep in mind. 5. Kiani hasn’t raced since July and is a 12 start maiden but placed both first-up attempts and while unplaced at both heavy track runs she’s not been disgraced. Could be placed again.

How to play it: Lisztomania WIN ($4.40 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Lisztomania runs fourth at Coffs Harbour on December 30

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