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By Ray Hickson

Tips and race by race preview by Ray Hickson for Friday’s Goulburn meeting. Selections based on a good to soft track.

1. Koning appears ideally placed to break through back sharply in class after a close third in a Midway at Rosehill. Placed at 2000m prior to that at Kembla and while back up in the weights would be unlikely to find a more suitable race. Hard to beat.

Dangers: 6. Stand In Line could be some kind of threat up in distance after a more than handy third over a mile here a few weeks ago. Was a big drifter in betting but still found the line okay late. Possibly the only danger. 3. Mystic Diva won nicely at Moruya two starts ago then stayed at the mile again when running on late into fifth at Wagga. Distance rise looks in her favour so she’s in the mix. 4. Belgrano ran into a placing at Newcastle two starts ago then at the 1850m again ran an even race for fourth. Been thereabouts since stepping up in distance so another placing is possible.

How to play it: Koning WIN ($1.35 TAB Fixed Odds).

Koning runs third at Rosehill on August 31

2. Dashing Rupert has had the best build up of the stablemates so happy to go with him to make a winning debut. Won two trials at Warwick Farm in the past month and the latest was just over two weeks ago. Expect he’ll go close.

Dangers: 7. Davikar has had two trials but the latest of those was on August 6 when runner-up over 1030m. Did fight on okay when headed there and can only improve on whatever she does here. 8. Gun Control is another on debut and she is a bit of a wild card having trialled only once and that was back in late March at Warwick Farm. Any support at odds would be a pointer. 4. Rock Revolution from the Waterhouse/Bott stable hasn’t lit the trial tracks up and didn’t lead when placed at Randwick in the latest. Wary of the stable though and has to be considered.

How to play it: Dashing Rupert WIN ($2.50 TAB Fixed Odds).

Dashing Rupert wins a Warwick Farm trial on August 27

6. Kreon started favourite when he resumed in a Highway at Randwick and finished midfield after making a dash early in the straight then knocking up. Took some time to recover post race. Freshened up a bit and right back in class so worth another chance.

Dangers: 1. Abstruse is something of a threat after making her stable debut with an easy win at Moruya over 930m. Ex-Godolphin mare drawn the inside and should have her chance to go close again. 5. Nettles was safely held in her latest trial but the winner did score by a big margin. Could find the 1000m a touch sharp but showing promise and has some claims. 3. Full Revolution was quite consistent last time in and did kick off with a placing before winning second-up. Fitter for two trials and drawn nicely. Include in the chances.

How to play it: Kreon WIN ($1.80 TAB Fixed Odds).

Kreon’s first-up run at Randwick on August 24

4. Highway Strip did a bit of work to find the front first-up and kept going to score a nice maiden win here a few weeks back. Was nominated for a Highway last week. Shows promise, imagine she rolls forward again and be hard to run down.

Dangers: 3. Thoughtful drew wide and went back and was never a factor at Moruya third-up when a drifting favourite. Placed there prior and won on debut. Has to be afforded another chance. 1. Announcing raced handy and dropped off when outclassed first-up at Kensington a month ago. This is much easier, she did give a decent amount of ground there so wary of that. Should perform better though. 5. Chico Casino has mixed his form a little but went down fighting when narrowly beaten at Orange last weekend. Could show up here.

How to play it: Highway Strip WIN ($1.80 TAB Fixed Odds).

Highway Strip wins at Goulburn on August 25

3. Sir Lunchalots is an interesting runner making his debut after a couple of handy recent trials including a win at Canberra last week. Wore down the leader late in that trial. Draws nicely enough and finds a winnable race. Go well.

Dangers: 8. Stromness had her chance in two placings easier in this year and resumes here. One public trial for an even effort behind a proven open class sprinter. Good chance to produce her best result to date. 10. Under The Hood was well supported on debut at Wagga and he did have some excuses there./ Drew wide and was always well back before making a long run to a midfield finish. Wide gate again here but up in trip so keep safe. 4. Candi Lass hit the line with some purpose when she got out late first-up at Moruya. Kinder draw and she could be a big improver.

How to play it: Sir Lunchalots WIN ($4.80 TAB Fixed Odds).

Sir Lunchalots wins a Canberra trial on September 6

6. Galactic Angel gave a big sight in a much stronger race when leading to the 100m or so before finishing fourth in a Class 3 here. Held her form at her past couple of starts now and could take some catching here.

Dangers: 5. Ronny Rock Art raced wide but kept coming when runner-up at Moruya two weeks ago. That was five days after a gallant second behind a handy one at this track. Hard to leave out of the chances. 4. Mischief In Dubai is fitter for two runs back and did make a bit of ground when fifth at Newcastle three weeks ago. Back slightly in trip but class drop significant. Has claims. 3. Bonus Tempus had a tough run when wide most of the way at Wyong recently. Was a month between runs and draws the inside gate. Capable of improvement.

How to play it: Galactic Angel EACH-WAY ($6.00 TAB Fixed Odds).

Galactic Angel runs fourth at Goulburn on August 25

7. Tact should appreciate getting up to this trip second-up after finding the 1200m a touch short when resuming at Newcastle. Was beaten by a smart one there and drifted sharply in the betting. Sets up well for him here with a soft drawn and should run well.

Dangers: 10. November Air ran well above her price for a close third at Hawkesbury at her third start. Was her first go beyond 1200m and obviously appreciated it. Wide gate doesn’t help but is a good chance. 2. Hookham notched a couple of placings over 1400m and a mile in Victoria before a spell. Fitter for two trials and any support would be significant. 3. Rocas Grandes did a good job after sitting wide most of the way when runner-up at Moruya on a five day back up. Draws well this time and another placing is within reach at least.

How to play it: Tact WIN ($3.40 TAB Fixed Odds).

Tact runs fourth at Newcastle on September 3

6. Shisuta Bo disappointed when resuming but improved nicely up in class at Newcastle three weeks ago. Stayed on okay despite having her chance there, led all the way to win a maiden at this track in December. Blinkers go on and can give a good account.

Dangers: 1. Buff In Disguise ran third at Bathurst two starts ago on a heavy track then never in it on the synthetic last time out at Canberra. Back onto a good track or thereabouts could see a big improvement. 3. Fairness Is Best sat on speed and went down narrowly over a mile here two starts ago before up in trip and midfield at Moruya in an even effort. Has the wide gate but each-wat claims with any luck. 12. My Blue Jeans bobs up now and then as he did at Nowra three back and from the inside gate he should be a lot closer than last time when midfield at Moruya. Capable on his best to show up.

How to play it: Shisuta Bo WIN ($3.10 TAB Fixed Odds).

Shisuta Bo runs fourth at Newcastle on August 24

All the fields, form and replays for Friday’s Goulburn meeting