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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 good to soft track.

2. Knife’s Edge has to handle the five day back up but he looks well placed to break through if he does. Gave away too much start at Armidale last time and this trip looks to suit. Hard to beat.

Dangers: 5. Thieve had his chance over a similar trip at Scone two weeks ago but this looks weaker and he’s one of few to come into this race with a run over a staying journey. Good chance. 1. Double Award will appreciate coming back in class from a few runs at provincial level. Last run in this grade finished second over a mile at Quirindi. Capable of a placing at least. 4. Overthink was safely held at Wellington last start but it wasn’t a bad run after being a mile off them coming to the turn. Could improve up in trip and back onto a firmer surface.

How to play it: Knife’s Edge WIN ($2.80 TAB Fixed Odds) Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Knife’s Edge runs third at Armidale on April 12

6. Holly Road ran quite a promising race first-up at Mudgee over 1100m and her finish suggests she’ll love the extra ground here. Was a drifter in betting there so expect her to be fitter and a major player.

Dangers: 14. Velvet Star has found one better in both runs back and while she did have every chance at Gunnedah last time she’s in form and has to be considered a danger. 1. Coop’s is big watch first-up for 11 months. Struck a strong race on debut and was never in it but has won trial coming into this and gets blinkers first time. Check betting but worth including in the multiples. 8. Springstreet Blues has mixed his form in three NSW starts, not bad at Gunnedah second-up then a bit plain there last time. Drawn well and could be an improver.

How to play it: Holly Road E/W ($5.00 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: EVENS.

Holly Road runs fourth at Mudgee on April 3

6. Billiethefillie had good support at her NSW debut and went down narrowly on a heavy track at Wellington. Firmer track will help her and if she’s taken improvement from that run she should be in the finish here.

Dangers: 4. Life Well Lived produced an eye-catcher second-up then close up at Mudgee six weeks ago. Freshened and given a quiet trial. Blinkers go on and he bears close watching. 11. My Khaleesi is bursting to win a race and did look to have it parcelled up when she resumed at Quirindi only to be swamped late. Fitter for that and down 2kg. Consistent type and she can be in the finish again.

How to play it: Billiethefillie WIN ($3.80 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: EVENS.

Billiethefillie runs second at Wellington on March 25

3. One Way Street was a beaten favourite at Newcastle first-up on a heavy 10. Placed previous two starts at Wyong and entitled to another chance here.

Dangers: 2. Niccourette has his first run for the Lundholm yard since a heavy track fourth of six back in October at Narromine. In the market both starts to date. No public trials so keep an eye on betting. 9. Hiraishin has been freshened up since an even fifth at Tamworth beaten just over a length at this trip. Beaten favourite in a similar race here before that. Keep in mind. 10. Rhythmic Song was placed in three straight runs at the end of last prep then struck a heavy track when resuming at Wellington and just battled. Fitter and while drawn wide he can improve back on a firmer track.

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

One Way Street runs second at Wyong in December

3. Hot As Hell disappointed last time but his form before that was pretty solid and this is a very winnable race. Drawn well and blinkers come off, should be on the speed and go well if he produces his best.

Dangers: 4. Carry On Cathy had excuses for a failure at Scone before a spell so overlook that. Previous efforts were good and given a quiet trial leading into this. Looks a good chance. 7. Laffing Waters ran third with Hot As Hell ahead of her at Cowra last time after a maiden win here. Wide gate no help but she’s lightly raced and with luck can be in the finish. 2. Vitosha is a big watch first-up from Victoria without a public trial. Showed some promise a couple of preps ago down south and worth a market check.

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

Hot As Hell runs second at Cowra on March 7

1. Driving Force is back in trip after a solid third over 1400m at Mudgee but previous form over the shorter courses was sound too. Relies on some speed on here to bring him into the race and should be running on strongly.

Dangers: 7. Shooting Zaa was a nice maiden winner here first-up then big odds at Scone and fought on strongly from on the pace to run third. If she can hold that form she’s one of the main chances. 6. Kora Magic hasn’t done a lot wrong since her maiden win at Wellington in January. Led and tried hard when runner-up at Mudgee last time and sure to give a good account again. 5. Gabrielle disappointed in a small field at Orange last start but did run well there a month earlier at Class 2 level. Back in grade and drawn to get every chance.

How to play it: Driving Force WIN ($3.20 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Driving Force runs third at Mudgee on April 3

1. Dethroned is very well placed on the back of a strong win at Muswellbrook in this class two weeks ago. Consistent type, drawn well and not badly weighted considering the lack of depth. Should take beating. Read trainer Cameron Crockett's comments here.

Dangers: 4. Demeurer found form with a game win at Moree a month ago. Awkwardly drawn and hard to line that up given it was a Class 1 but in form so has a show. 3. Blackadder was an easy all the way winner at Coonamble two runs back then on a heavy track was never a factor at Wellington. Will likely go forward from a wide gate and can do better back on top of the ground.

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

Dethroned wins at Muswellbrook on April 1

5. Sons Of Bourke doesn’t win out of turn but he always puts in and made some ground at Mudgee last time in a similar race. Up 100m here, tends to run very well on his home track and is an each-way chance.

Dangers: 4. No Debt was a popular winner when he resumed at Gunnedah, he did make hard work of it late but has a few things in his favour here. Gets up to his preferred trip and drops 3kg after the claim. Definite chance. 3. Rylan’s Pick failed badly at Coonamble between wins at Orange and Wellington. Tends to be a bit hit and miss so if he gets luck from the wide gate he can be in the finish. 8. Petain has put a couple of solid efforts together for seconds at Orange and Wellington and draws well here. Each-way claims again.

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

Sons Of Bourke runs fourth at Mudgee on April 3

1. Corvo improved on an ordinary effort at Gilgandra to hit the line nicely into second at Mudgee up in distance. Has placed twice at this trip and from a soft draw should get his chance. Go well.

Dangers: 3. All Words did a good job to score at Mudgee in easier company last time and comes back slightly in trip. Last few have been handy and he’s one of the chances. 7. Stormy Pluck was ordinary on a heavy track at Quirindi but didn’t run a bad race before that at Scone on good ground. Beaten half a length at Tamworth over this trip four back and could surprise.

How to play it: Corvo WIN ($3.80 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Corvo runs second at Mudgee on April 3

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