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By Ray Hickson

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

A couple of first starters hold the key. 17. Star Of Kings is locally trained and has been sharp in his trials, split by almost 12 months. Draws to land on the speed as he’s shown in his lead in trial and looks a good chance. Like to see some support.

Dangers: 10. Jacenza has only had the one trial and made up plenty of ground in a 900m hit out at Scone a couple of weeks ago. Might get back but have to respect on what he showed in the trial. 2. Honour The Crown has found one better in both starts but has been very competitive. Odds-on when no match for Thunder Fox last week at Tamworth but does have heavy track form. Definite chance. 1. Brogans Creek has done nothing wrong in two starts for placings at Cowra and Scone. Each-way again.

How to play it: Star Of Kings WIN ($3.50 TAB Fixed Odds) Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Star Of Kings wins a trial at Scone on August 31

11. Hallowed Star was a little disappointing last time but there was plenty of merit in his first two starts including a fourth here a month ago. Blinkers go on and that might be key to his hopes.

Dangers: 6. Sistine Queen backs up after just failing at Gilgandra earlier this week when back to 1280m from this distance. Isn’t far off a win and can’t be overlooked. 5. Wandjina Spirit made a solid debut on a heavy track at Bathurst, running third and holding her ground. Fitter for that and has a show. 2. Nest In The Hills has the blinkers on first time after two fair efforts here and at Canberra. Scratchings help his cause and he could be an improver.

How to play it: Hallowed Star E/W ($8.50 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Hallowed Star runs fourth at Dubbo on August 7

5. Rebel’s Edge started favourite in a wide market in a Rosehill Highway two weeks ago and just missed. He gets back and runs on and will do that here, if things pan out for him he has the form on the board to take beating.

Dangers: 8. Deel Street is racing in great form and while beaten favourite at 2000m last time she did keep coming. Bolted in over this course two starts back on a soft 7 so has to come into consideration. 1. Osman has won three of his last five and was too good on the speed in a small field here a couple of weeks ago. Best runs have been when forward and he's in the mix. 7. Wasserman is racing well, fair effort here behind Deel Street then easy win at Bathurst on a heavy track. Has a show.

How to play it: Rebel's Edge WIN ($2.50 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Rebel's Edge runs second at Rosehill on August 27

5. Dalavin is up and running and in peak form with three wins on end including a soft victory over this course on a soft 7 a month ago. Races handy and loves a wet track so expect him to be there at the finish.

Dangers: 4. Commando Hunt resumes on the way to a run in the Kosciuszko and his wet track prowess makes him dangerous especially if they overdo it up front. Just missed in the Country Championships Final and had a nice trial leading in. Logical threat. 6. Magnetic started favourite and got the job done at Wagga in a good quality sprint last month. He’s another on pacer who can give a sight with the right run. 8. Great Buy found it too short when resuming at Cowra and will be much better suited here. Could still be a run away but not prepared to leave him out of the chances.

How to play it: Dalavin WIN ($2.40 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Dalavin wins at Dubbo on August 7

10. Simpkin warmed up at the finish when running into third over 1000m at Muswellbrook in a promising return. Extra 100m a plus and wet track no worry. Hard to beat.

Dangers: 1. Agent Moon has been thereabouts of late and was strong at the finish when narrowly beaten at Wagga on a heavy track. Might have to go back from the barrier but keep an eye on pattern. 5. Noble Pluck won on a heavy track at Gosford two starts back then not disgraced coming from well back at Muswellbrook. Fairly honest type who has each-way claims. 12. Career Change is an interesting runner first-up since December and with one quiet trial. In top local stable and lightly raced. Keep safe.

How to play it: Simpkin WIN ($2.40 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Simpkin runs third at Muswellbrook on August 21

5. Royal Charge wasn’t disgraced at Scone last time when resuming at this trip. Fitter for it and not overly concerned about the gate for him either. Go well.

Dangers: 8. Barry’s Lane failed at Muswellbrook a few weeks ago but if you overlook that his form is solid enough for this sort of race. Narrowly beaten here three back then tough on pace win at Forbes. Each-way. 3. Gateaux comes back from the mile of his last couple and this is probably a touch easier than last time at Wagga when fourth on a heavy track. 2. Maple Gold was a debut winner at Muswellbrook in January then spelled after failing second-up. Fitter for a couple of trials and likely to roll forward.

How to play it: Royal Charge E/W ($3.60 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Roya Charge runs fourth at Scone on August 23

*BIG DANCE ELIGIBILITY *

8. Casino Kid has been excellent in all three runs back at Randwick and a wet track doesn’t bother him. Gave away too much start to Niffler last time but hit the line hard and he’ll be tough to hold out.

Dangers: 9. Cisco Bay found 1200m too short first-up but he was still quite strong to the line beaten four lengths by Pizarro. Second-up form is pretty good and he handles all conditions. No surprise to see sharp improvement. 7. Blesk hasn’t raced since the Coffs Harbour Cup where he finished midfield though has trialled. Capable type and on his second-up narrow defeat at Rosehill on a heavy track he has to be considered. 12. Cognac is a consistent type and he beat a subsequent winner when breaking through at Kensington a couple of weeks ago. Races on the speed and the form around him is good so has a strong case.

How to play it: Casino Kid WIN ($3.90 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Casino Kid runs second at Randwick on August 20

13. Syrian Star impressed with a maiden win first-up easily accounting for a subsequent winner then just missed back onto a soft 5 here. Showing promise and back onto a wet track looks the one to beat.

Dangers: 6. Almorah was untroubled in breaking her maiden status at this track a couple of weeks ago. Seems to handle all ground and with a bit of luck she can be in the finish again. 5. Keep On Going won a maiden here a month ago then shade below par at Cowra on a one week back up when well in the market. Longer gap between runs may suit, could, improve. 1. Vital Verse improved second-up with a sound on pace third at Canberra on a heavy track. No harder here and is in the mix.

How to play it: Syrian Star WIN ($1.85 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Syrian Star runs second at Dubbo on August 28

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