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By Ray Hickson

Tips and race by race preview by Ray Hickson for Sunday’s Gilgandra meeting. Selections based on a good track.

1. A Real Riot started 100/1 at Gosford at his second start but it was a solid effort on a soft 7 as he just weakened late to miss third narrowly. Was 1150m to a mile there so better for it, drawn well and this easier.

Dangers: 5. Cherry Blue ran quite a nice race two starts back at Mudgee then perhaps just fair at Orange. Blinkers go back on and he has a chance to improve. 2. Money Not My God has had a few chances and his form is mixed but has placed at this track and is an each-way hope. 10. Quest For Honor sat close to the speed last start at Bathurst and couldn't go on, was a bit better from off pace at Mudgee before that so could improve.

How to play it: A Real Riot E/W ($5.50 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: ODDS.

A Real Riot runs fourth at Gosford on December 23

2. Volterra has been costly in his 12 starts in city and provincial races and debuts for Clint Lundholm here. Trialled quite well against higher class opposition and with the race falling away he’ll have every chance to perform. Read trainer Clint Lundholm's comments here.

Dangers: 1. Vandangle is new to Will Freedman and was fair in his two starts to date but has trialled up nicely with a win at Scone and has drawn to be right in the finish. 4. Crystal Beanz has only had two starts and she showed some improvement at Orange last time beaten a couple of lengths. Blinkers go on first time and she’s a likely improver. Next best 7. Direct Vision who ran an improved race at Dubbo a month ago but is a 38 start maiden.

How to play it: Volterra WIN ($1.90 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Volterra runs third in a Dubbo trial on December 18

1. Amulet Street is another addition to the Lundholm yard and he was cruising in his Dubbo trial recently behind the placings. Seven minors from eight starts so he’s honest and while the trip could be sharp he’s hard to beat.

Dangers: 2. Anselmo hasn’t raced since an even third at Muswellbrook on a soft 7 back in June and hasn’t trialled publicly. Has a handy record and blinkers back on from the inside alley. Respect. 3. Bernforme found the line with purpose in producing a career best second at Dubbo almost a month ago. Extra 90m should assist and drawn well. Keep in mind. 10. Louisina Iris is lightly raced and going well without winning. Find this a shade easier than last time and can show up.

How to play it: Amulet Street WIN ($2.10 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Amulet Street runs fifth in a Dubbo trial on December 18

1. Athena’s Lad resumes at 1800m but brings the best form into this race. Big effort in a Highway over a mile at Randwick in October and goes well fresh. If he’s right he should take beating.

Dangers: 9. Nitty Gritty is an upset chance after a big improvement to run third at Orange at big odds just a few days ago. On the back up, has placed here previously and is not the worst. 6. Jungle Rush can be hit and miss but he was too strong when scoring at Dubbo over 2210m last time out. Needs to put two together but this is a good chance to do that. 4. Ollivander has disappointed at his last couple but his best is good enough to give this a little shake.

How to play it: Athena’s Lad WIN ($2.50 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Athena’s Lad runs third at Randwick on October 9

8. Lipstick Lil is hard to knock as she’s racing in super form with two wins from her past three. Sat handy and was too good at Orange last week so should go forward from the gate and can be expected to run well.

Dangers: 5. Chomeur may hold the key to the race first-up since a great winter prep which included a Highway placing. Will likely be better for two trials, drawn nicely and is a big threat. 1. Kinship has some work to do from the wide gate but his fresh effort at Taree was sound from on the speed. Yet to fire second-up though did improve last time in after a run. Each-way. 11. Watch Me Rumble had a wide run at Scone last time and her run flattened out in the straight. Still lightly raced, drawn well and lightly weighted too. Capable of showing up.

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

Lipstick Lil wins at Orange on December 28

12. Innocent Party won easily at Quirindi from the front then didn’t look comfortably on a heavy 10 at Muswellbrook before a spell so that run can be overlooked. Will be in or near the lead from the good gate and a definite chance.

Dangers: 14. Foxstorm has a handy record and his maiden win was at this track. Back from a short break since a close second at Scone in October, draws well and this looks a nice race for him. Should run well. 3. Witness Collector turned his form around with a freshen up since his failure at Dubbo in October to lead most of the way at the same track four weeks ago. Has a show. 1. Denace started favourite in the same race and looked to have her chance after a nice run just behind the speed. Capable of bouncing back and has a win at this track too.

How to play it: Innocent Party E/W ($6.00 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: EVENS.

Innocent Party’s last start at Muswellbrook on June 2

7. On A Promise was two months between runs and may have needed it when he may have needed the run. Was in super form before then and has a nice record at this track. Looks to be good speed and he’ll be strong late.

Dangers: 2. Notabadidea is racing well and won the Coonabarabran Cup in October. Gave a sight in the Armidale Cup at Tamworth last time and this looks weaker. Sure to give a sight. 14. Prodigal Prince was a popular winner at Scone a month ago after sitting on the speed. Up a little in class but gets a soft run and could easily measure up. 3. Mo’s Glory was a beaten favourite at Taree two weeks ago but is better than that and while she mixes her form of late this is a good chance for her to find some form.

How to play it: On A Promise E/W ($8.00 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

On A Promise’s last start at Orange on December 14

1. Bombdiggity is in top form and should roll forward from a wide gate onto the speed. Toughed it out to win at Moruya and carries the same weight here. Expect him to give a very good sight again. Read comments from trainer Scott Collings here.

Dangers: 2. Classy Rebel is having an amazing preparation but it’s now been two months since his last run and win at Warren. He also has speed so will look to be on pace. Hard to knock. 4. Lubuk would appreciate a strong tempo and could be the one hitting the line strongly fresh. Fitter for two trials and while drawn wide that’s not of too much concern. 5. Superior Witness didn’t show his usual speed first-up at 900m at Newcastle but at the same time was weak late. His best is good enough so he could be a sharp improver.

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

Bombdiggity wins at Moruya on December 19

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