Latest News

By Ray Hickson

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

2. Keep On Going wasn’t fancied in betting at local debut but found the line well late to finish second over 900m at Scone. Likely to relish the extra ground and is a good chance if he runs up to that effort.

Dangers: 4. Out In Force had no luck at all at his first start and ran well on a heavy track then a bit flat at Scone second-up. Well worth another chance on promising first outing. 3. Nest In The Hills is on debut for Clint Lundholm and hard to get a line on him based on his trial where he loped along around fourth throughout and wasn’t asked for anything. Check betting. 9. Zoisite has been around the mark in similar races and would be an each-way chance again.

How to play it: Keep On Going WIN ($2.30 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: EVENS.

Keep On Going runs second at Scone on July 25

4. Billy Bent Ear is a bit of a marvel and he’s racing in super form lining up for start 120. Charged home into second at Scone last start, backing up a strong Wellington win, and this looks no harder if he can run out the 1100m or so, which he’s yet to do.

Dangers: 2. Sharpay Ruler won his first two starts but didn’t fire in two subsequent runs before a spell. No public trials or wet track form but if he’s right he’s a chance to bounce back to form first-up. Betting a good pointer. 5. Eightsides is lightly raced and has mixed form this time in but a repeat of his latest, where he gave a good sight in front, at Coonabarabran would make him competitive. 1. Shadow Chaser will find this a lot easier than his Highway at Rosehill last week and he’ll likely be fitter too as it was over six weeks between runs. Worth including in the chances.

How to play it: Billy Bent Ear E/W ($4.00 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: EVENS.

Billy Bent Ear runs second at Scone on July 25

2. Majority creates a bit of interest first-up since an easy win at Mudgee back in April. No public trials but appears to handle the sting out of the ground and her fourth in a strong Highway two starts back reads well for this company.

Dangers: 1. Everyone has a consistent enough record and was a winner over 1200m three starts back so the trip shouldn’t be a worry. Led them up at Moree when back to 950m and was run down but not disgraced. Capable of showing up. 3. Denace dropped out after racing on speed when resuming at Gilgandra but is better than that and can improve sharply down in class and with the run under her belt. 4. Hampton Cover ran an improved race at Gilgandra after leading a few weeks ago and is an each-way hope.

How to play it: Majority WIN ($1.75 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: EVENS.

Majority wins at Mudgee on April 3

3. Dalavin is a tough customer and he’s in super form at the moment. He’s put two easy wins together at Gunnedah and Dubbo, handles all conditions and should put himself somewhere on the pace and give a good kick.

Dangers: 7. Moetta was pestered all the way at Forbes last week and her effort to go down in the last stride or two was huge. Perhaps a little more depth here but she’s still down in the weights and will also be on the speed. Definite chance. 2. Healing Hands is very smart on his day but tends to have injury woes. Not seen since two starts in the early summer and wasn’t quite at his best. Unbeaten in three starts at Dubbo and if he finds his best could make it four. 5. Ecker Road tried hard in the same race as Moetta at Forbes, finishing fourth.

How to play it: Dalavin WIN ($1.75 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Dalavin wins at Dubbo on July 15

2. Rhythm Is A Dancer had his first run for the new stable and was game in defeat after sitting wide at Scone a few weeks back. Looked very good in a tickover trial since then and should be very competitive in this.

Dangers: 12. Sistine Queen showed improvement second-up when runner-up at Coonabarabran after being swamped late. Drawn wide again but fitter and trained here. Keep in mind. 15. Principal Belle has been far from disgraced in two runs back from a break and did hit the line well from a long way back last time in the same race as Sistine Queen. Good chance to hit the frame for the first time. 6. Crystal Beanz has struck form with placings at both runs this time in and while the first-up effort was better than the second it’d be no surprise if there was improvement up further I distance. Each-way.

How to play it: Rhythm Is A Dancer WIN ($1.75 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: EVENS.

Rhythm Is A Dancer runs second at Scone on July 15

6. Hit The Rim was a winner here four runs back on a heavy track and based on his past couple of seconds at Tamworth and Canberra another win isn’t far off. Likes the wet, in top form and should be very hard to hold out.

Dangers: 3. Hit The Target produced a couple of handy efforts at his first two runs back then the wheels fell off with a couple of last placings. Will have to turn it around quickly to best Hit The Rim on their Tamworth meeting but he is better than that and if he gets any control can take catching. 1. A Magic Zariz is never too far away in these races and he boxed on well at Wellington last time over a similar trip. Great record at this distance and with the claim he gets his chance to be in the finish again. 2. Jailbreak just plodded a bit when resuming from a six week break in the same race but he is likely to be fitter for that. His best form is good enough to put him in the finish and he has raced well here in the past.

How to play it: Hit The Rim WIN ($2.70 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Hit The Rim runs second at Canberra on July 22

2. Not Too Bad ran right up to the improvement he showed at Gilgandra to score a runaway win at Coonabarabran a couple of weeks ago. Comes back from the mile and drawn wide but commands some respect while in form.

Dangers: 11. Sizzling Star made some ground from a long way back second-up at Coonabarabran and might be looking for the extra trip now. Last win was her maiden at this track and trip so she should be given thought. 9. Shades Of Magic sprung into form with an easy maiden win at Wellington over this trip. Skips a grade but could go on with it.

How to play it: Not Too Bad WIN ($2.20 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

6. Deel Street did an excellent job to hold down a placing at Forbes last week after having a tough run off a wide gate. Draws the middle this time and while her strike rate is becoming a worry she’s a good chance to improve on it here.

Dangers: 8. Quest For Honour is fitter for two runs back and did improve nicely into that second-up placing at Coonabarabran where he went down fighting. Sure to be in this for a long way and any improvement in the track is a plus. 3. Wasserman was a dominant winner here in June then beaten favourite but ran on into third at Wellington a few weeks ago. Return to this track looks a plus and he’s one of the main chances. 2. The Mediator was a runaway winner at Cowra but wasn’t able to get near the lead at Forbes last week before running on into fourth. Inclined to give him another chance on an each-way basis..

How to play it: Deel Street WIN ($3.50 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: EVENS.

Deel Street runs third at Forbes on July 31

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