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By Ray Hickson

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

It’s not a high percentage play but 5. Red Hot has the right form to say she could be close to an elusive win. Was best of the chasers behind Nasturtium two runs back then closed off from last behind Way To The Stars both at Gosford. Less depth here, good each-way chance.

Dangers: 1. Art Of Excellence pulled up lame at his last run before a spell so ignore that, he’s generally consistent and did kick off last prep with a win. Tends to go well fresh as that illustrates, trialled well recently and should run a handy race fresh. 2. Ilzoomya was game in defeat at Moruya after a wide run. Draws wide again here but done little wrong this time in and has to be respected. 3. Symo’s Girl is another with a poor winning strike rate but she’s going okay of late with a couple of placings prior to being unplaced as favourite at Muswellbrook. Has a show.

How to play it: Red Hot E/W ($5.50 TAB Fixed Odds) Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Red Hot runs sixth at Gosford on January 14

2. Maple Gold on top but without huge confidence. Unwanted at $31 on debut after some ordinary trials but put up a huge performance to win at Muswellbrook. Wasn’t fast out and circled midrace to the lead and just kept going. Looks the leader and one to beat.

Dangers: 5. Post Free returned to form with a runaway win at Queanbeyan after sitting on the pace. Interesting that she’s yet to place in five runs on her home track but in a race lacking depth she has to be a big chance. 3. Eden Vale will appreciate a big drop in class after a couple of runs in city BM72 grade. Passed a couple late at Warwick Farm last time. Last run here was a second on a heavy track in November. 1. Hemmerle ran an even race here two starts back in stronger company then back in the winner’s stall at Moruya on a heavy track. Chance if he can hold that form.

How to play it: Maple Gold WIN ($2.30 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Maple Gold wins at Muswellbrook on January 4

9. Evanora looks well placed to win this on the back of an excellent effort in a Highway behind Zoo Station off a wide run. Won nicely first-up at Canberra and drawn to replicate that effort tracking the speed if she doesn’t lead. Should go close.

Dangers: 8. Underground Music was excellent when resuming at Moruya with a narrow defeat to Molly Nails in track record time. Big gap to third says they were far superior. May not need to replicate that performance to win this but look for her to be finishing strongly. Read trainer Kurt Goldman's comments here. 7. Hardy hasn’t missed a place in five starts but right out of his grade as the winner of one race. Started favourite at Sapphire Coast first-up and had every chance. Fitter and blinkers go on so he can improve. 1. Bold And Wild had a handy first prep for Danny Williams with three placings including a couple in town. Claim helps offset the big weight, draw might be tricky but he can’t be left out.

How to play it: Evanora WIN ($4.00 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Evanora runs fifth at Rosehill on January 8

11. Tiempe Passate has struck a wide open race for her debut and she’s worth a look especially if there’s some support. Nice effort in her latest trial last week and it wouldn’t surprise if she runs a cheeky race.

Dangers: 5. Always Praying has had her chance in two runs back from a spell at Newcastle and Wyong from on the speed. Blinkers go on this time which might be the key. 8. Santorini Sun went under as a $1.50 favourite at Canberra second-up and she really didn’t make an impact. Extra 100m might be a plus and she’s worth including in the chances. 2. Golden Chances is a 15 start maiden but she’s been close at her past two when runner-up at Bathurst and Canberra. Needs some luck from the wide gate but should be thereabouts.

How to play it: Tiempe Passate E/W ($7.00 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Tiempe Passate runs second in a Rosehill trial on January 17

10. Onehelvason has been beaten narrowly in both runs to date and in the latest at Nowra it was in the last stride. Goes 1100m to 1400m and draws wide, scratchings have helped, but has the form on the board.

Dangers: 5. Hundred Proof was placed as favourite first-up at Hawkesbury and had his chance in front, then midfield when a big drifter at Newcastle. Needs some luck but best form is good enough to be in the finish. 14. The Dance has been gelded since a mixed first preparation. Trials have been okay and could show up. 3. Benming was a drifter on debut at Muswellbrook and faded after racing handy. Blinkers go on and may be worth another chance.

How to play it: Onehelvason WIN ($2.30 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Onehelvason runs second at Nowra on January 6

5. Gulf Of Aqaba has been given plenty of time and three trials to prepare for his debut. Probably overdid it two trials back but saw enough in the latest to suggest he can be very competitive here from a favourable draw.

Dangers: 2. Fenton ran on without threatening at his debut then improved to be narrowly beaten into third at Nowra on a heavy track and back to 1100m. One of the chances here. 1. Choisir’s Choice worked to the line well in his only public trial leading into his first start. Shade awkwardly drawn but if there’s any support he’s worth including in the hopes. 15. Reateros ran third in same trial in mid-December then ridden up to win a trial two weeks later. Keep safe. 3. Fille Cheesesteak is also in the mix after his handy debut at Canberra over the 1200m.

How to play it: Gulf Of Aqaba E/W ($5.00 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Gulf Of Aqaba runs fourth in a Rosehill trial on January 4

1. In De Sun Iwilcome was a big drifter first-up at Canberra but her run was huge as she got into a speed battle and only succumbed late. Fitter, 1200m suits better and if she’s Country Championships material she’ll go close here.

Dangers: 10. Devils Triangle has struck seriously wet tracks in all three starts for a win and two placings and resumes after a second at Corowa on a heavy 10 in July. No public trials but in top stable and commands respect. 3. Calgary King is first-up for a new stable as a gelding and he hasn't trialled badly leading in. Might want a bit further but could surprise. 5. Toretto will be more effective over a bit further but no surprise to see him run a handy race fresh.

How to play it: In De Sun Iwilcome WIN ($3.90 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

In De Sun Iwilcome runs second at Canberra on January 12

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