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By Ray Hickson

Tips and race by race preview by Ray Hickson for Sunday’s Country Championships meeting at Coonamble. Selections based on a good track.

6. Raging Rush showed some ability winning a trial at Dubbo recently, tracked the leaders and went back to the cutaway before taking over late under a big hold. Drawn to have every chance and any support would be encouraging.

Dangers: 8. Aldona is a well bred filly on debut and she’s also a trial winner leading into her first start. Hers was at Tamworth and she wasn’t put under any real pressure. Must be respected. 13. Steel My Thunder has a wide gate to deal with but she’s trialling well enough in Sydney. Under some pressure running second at Rosehill a few weeks back. Have to include. 1. Last Bid Liam has the race experience and really wasn’t troubled leading all the way at Dubbo a month ago. Has had a stable switch since then, in the mix. 3. Jackyy Dee is a watch also on debut, was a bit wayward in his Wyong trial won by Willinga Beast. That form has turned out quite good.

How to play it: Raging Rush E/W ($6.50 TAB Fixed Odds) Odds & Evens: EVENS.

Raging Rush wins a trial at Dubbo on March 4

7. Soopat led them up on debut at Tamworth and gave quite a good sight running a close third. Aided by gate one and James McDonald to ride here, if he can improve off that effort he should go close.

Dangers: 4. McLellan might be looking for more than 1100m but he warmed up strongly late at his first NSW start at Dubbo recently. Kinder draw might see him settle a lot closer and he’s a big threat. 2. Driving Force comes through the same race and was just touched out of third by McLellan. Both runs back have been solid and doesn’t need to improve a lot to be in the finish. 5. Nice Water started favourite first-up at Tamworth and was beaten a length after having his chance. Fitter for that and while he’ll need some luck from a wide gate he can be in the finish if he gets it.

How to play it: Soopat WIN ($2.90 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Soopat runs third at Tamworth on February 21

7. Hombre is bursting to win a race and will get a big chance here. Came from near last at Quirindi to just miss before leading off a wide gate at Tamworth last week and finding one better late. If he runs out the 1400m strongly he will go close.

Dangers: 2. Father’s Day is the logical danger and the only real query is whether he’s wanting more than 1400m. He tried very hard at Mudgee a couple of weeks ago but just didn’t have the turn of foot at the shorter trip than he’s used to. Gate one, James McDonald are pluses and he’ll be popular. 8. Oakfield Storm looks the only other winning chance after a handy enough debut at Newcastle where he only warmed up very late at the 1200m. Extra trip should suit. 4. Jianzhang ran a nice third at big odds at Mudgee before a fair effort at Cowra last week. Place chance.

How to play it: Hombre WIN ($3.00 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Hombre runs second at Tamworth on March 6

5. Phases comes off a maiden win but it was a dominant performance at Dubbo and there’s no reason why he can’t take the next step. Granted he’ll need a little luck but if he finds a good spot he should take holding out.

Dangers: 7. Hammoon Jig has been around the mark in two runs back and attacked the line strongly late at Tamworth second-up. Extra 100m no issues and she’s well worth considering. 3. Princess Amira has found one better in all three runs back so she’s got to be included somewhere. Had her chance at Taree but has Hugh Bowman to ride and is in the mix. 1. Sabie Park started favourite second-up at Tamworth and was safely held in third but this is probably a small step back. Draws well and not keen to leave him out.

How to play it: Phases WIN ($4.60 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Phases wins at Dubbo on March 4

5. Impactful showed improvement second-up at Tamworth and the mile looks ideal for him. He took some winding up there at 1400m, drops 2.5kg and picks up James McDonald. Sure to run well.

Dangers: 4. How’s It Kev ran a nice race at a mile at Dubbo before dropping in trip and rising in class in the Country Championships at Mudgee where he ran a cheeky fourth. If he runs up to that he’ll go close. 14. Love Rules is a maiden but she’ll find the right race soon. Solid effort at Scone first-up then again sound when running on into fourth at Mudgee. The extra trip might be key to her measuring up. 3. Fact Finder had good support when breaking through at Dubbo in a maiden a month ago, sitting on the speed and proving a shade too strong. Lightly raced, drawn well and could be competitive.

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

Impactful runs second at Tamworth on February 11

6. Dalavin was a shade unlucky first-up at Scone in a 900m scamper and he did have a bit of support to say he’d run well. Hit the line when clear and the step up in trip is perfect for him. Looks a good chance.

Dangers: 8. Grandellie won first-up last prep then beaten favourite at Muswellbrook and rested. Eye-catching trial performance behind Edit at Tamworth recently where she cruised along once he gained the upper hand. Keep safe. 5. Brief Statement had a promising first preparation and it culminated with an easy maiden win at Orange on a heavy track. Liked her recent trial win at Dubbo and have to consider her. 2. Dark Herring is another that showed promise last prep and though she’ll need some luck from an awkward gate she has Hugh Bowman to steer and comes through a very strong trial.

How to play it: Dalavin E/W ($9.50 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: EVENS.

Dalavin runs fourth at Scone on February 14

2. Beauchamp is a huge query at his first run for the Lundholm stable with no public trial. He’s been beaten favourite in two runs since a Kilcoy Class 1 win in January but draws well, Bowman rides and if the support is there he’s likely the one.

Dangers: 5. Sons Of Bourke has found some consistency again and wins in another stride at Dubbo last time over 1000m. Gets back and runs on and should be finished hard again. 6. Rylan’s Pick has the blinkers on after a handy win at Orange a few weeks ago. Down 1kg and drawn nicely again so has to be in the mix. 1. Titration is a little hard to line up fresh since a placing on a heavy 10 at Ballina in January as favourite. Wide gate and 62kg are negatives but still want to keep him safe.

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

1. Activation stands out after his explosive win in an open handicap at Dubbo six weeks ago. Ticked over with a couple of trials and overlooking the latest where there were excuses. Won this race last year and is clearly the one to beat if he in order. Read trainer Clint Lundholm's comments on his runnners here.

Dangers: 7. Great Buy will need luck from the wide gate but if he gets it he’s a major threat. Split Lockdown Gamble and Tags at Dubbo two back, that form is excellent, then an easy winner at Mudgee two weeks ago. Definite chance. 2. Amulet Street is an up and comer who was solid chasing home Ezekeil at Quirindi after successive wins at Tamworth and Walcha. Has Bowman to ride and can’t be overlooked. 4. Ferus wasn’t fancied in the market first-up but was sound behind Great Buy at Mudgee running third. Drops 4.5kg and draws ideally and he could be the dark horse.

How to play it: Activation WIN ($2.70 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Activation wins at Dubbo on January 31

1. Deel With Me arguably wants a little further than a mile now but with blinkers on after his soft win at Mudgee two weeks ago that should compensate. Once he warmed up last time he had them covered and will get the chance to repeat.

Dangers: 6. Know Where To Look was excellent in running fifth in the Country Championships at Mudgee after drawing wide and going back. Kinder gate here and extra distance a plus. Go well. 12. Chomeur is a lot better than her last run suggests and she had excuses there at Mudgee too. Wouldn’t surprise if she shows up here. 11. Vandangle is racing well this time in and was only half a length off a hat-trick when runner-up at Tamworth a few weeks back. Definite chance.

How to play it: Deel With Me WIN ($2.20 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Deel With Me wins at Mudgee on February 27

4. Blackadder is close to another win, he led when placed twice at Dubbo then went back and attacked the line into fifth at Mudgee. Back in class here and draws well, he’s a very good chance to break through.

Dangers: 1. A Fortunate Lass is easy to like on her last start fourth at Newcastle in a BM64 where she was on pace and only weakened in the last 50m or so. Must be respected. 5. Forever Jude caught the eye late running into fourth at Mudgee when 1000m to 1400m. Doesn’t win out of turn but a repeat performance would have him somewhere in the finish. 3. Heredero is honest but is finding it hard to win them. Boxed on to just deny Forever Jude third at Mudgee and he’ll be given his chance again from a nice gate.

How to play it: Blackadder E/W ($7.00 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Blackadder runs fifth at Mudgee on February 27

All the fields, form and replays for Sunday’s Country Championships meeting at Coonamble