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By John Schell

(Selections based on a soft track)

3. Swilken Bridge led the field up at Orange when last produced and boxed on solidly enough to finish third over 1010m. He drops back to 950m in this event and has the pace to take up a prominent position.

Dangers: 9. Miscavolini resumed from a spell and had her second start in a race when fifth at Muswellbrook. This looks a nice race for her. 2. Sakimarjuel is yet to figure in the placings from five starts but can show improvement in this. 1. Little Be Known has had plenty of chances but could run into the minor money here at his best.

How to play it: Swilken Bridge WIN.

5. Able Red is on debut for the Bjorn Baker stable and has had three trials to prepare. He’s finished fifth in each of the latest two and should be primed for the 1375m of this event.

Dangers: 2. Lucky Force was down the track on debut at Kembla Grange then started at huge odds at Wyong when finishing second at his only run since. A bold showing is expected again in this. 4. Single Shot hasn’t figured in the placings to date but has shown enough in his career to be rated a place chance. 3. Mission Declare was safely held last time out but is capable of improvement.

How to play it: Able Red WIN.

2. Hammering Away is a first starter in the care of Gulgong trainer Brett Thompson. He has had two trials, the first on the Acton track at Canberra, and the second at Muswellbrook in which he finished second.

Dangers: 3. Up To Me hasn’t been beaten far in his recent runs and warrants plenty of thought. 6. The Mooch ran well at Orange at her latest start and is worth including among the chances. 7. Flying Dubawi is first-up from a spell and could sprint well fresh.

How to play it: Hammering Away WIN.

3. That’s Better was strong to the line when scoring a solid victory at Orange last time out. If he runs up to that effort, he will be hard to hold out again.

Dangers: 5. So Extra was placed at Warren two starts back then started as an odds-on favourite when fourth at Wellington last time out. 2. Dancelittlesister is resuming from a spell and should run well fresh. 7. Run Chelsea was a winner four starts ago. She’s drawn wide but could give some cheek.

How to play it: That’s Better WIN.

2. Rubi Air went around at Gilgandra last time out and the run can be forgotten as she was continually carted deep approaching the home turn, losing significant ground. She is drawn wide here, but can be ridden quiet and come with one run at the finish. Expect a big improvement.

Dangers: 1. Benyatta scored a stylish win at Bathurst two starts ago when big odds then finished third at Gilgranda when last produced. She can figure prominently again. 4. Rhumbadu scored a strong win at Queanbeyan last time out and warrants thought again. 9. Mamelon wasn’t beaten far at Gilgrandra at her latest start and is not out of this.

How to play it: Rubi Air EACH WAY.

3. Giddy Up Gidleigh was a beaten favourite at Goulburn when third three starts back then showed improvement when second at Moruya last time out. He can give this a shake from the good barrier.

Dangers: 1. White Liar scored on the Acton track at Canberra two starts ago then finished fourth at Goulburn when last produced. She should give plenty of cheek again. 6. Bon Zipper was placed at Orange last time out and can figure in the money again against these. 12. Suomenlinna ran home well to be placed last time out and could figure in the minor money again.

How to play it: Giddy Up Gidleigh EACH WAY.

9. Merc had been racing well with placings at the Sapphire Coast and Moruya before not being disgraced when fifth last time out. He has talent and with the right run he can power over the top of these late.

Dangers: 1. Kattegat led and fought on strongly to finish second at Moruya at his latest start and only needs to run up to that to be rated a leading chance here. 2. Zouologist was placed at Orange two starts back then failed to fire at Newcastle last time out. He can improve in this. 4. Driving Force has been racing well this campaign with a second when resuming being followed by two wins at Gundagai and Coonamble. He is worth plenty of thought again in this.

How to play it: Merc EACH WAY.

1. Athena’s Lad was resuming from a spell when hitting the line well for a second in the Gilgandra Cup. He’s suited by the step up to 1700m here and should be primed for success.

Dangers: 3. Sea Of Flames found the front a fair way from home and held on well to score in the Gilgranda Cup at his latest start and must be respected again on that effort. 7. Lemaire had some solid city form before a last start failure in the Moruya Cup. 8. Turgenev finished third in the Gilgandra Cup and is not out of this.

How to play it: Athena’s Lad WIN.

6. Nannu hit the line well to score at Gilgandra last time out in an impressive display. He’s drawn wide here but with any luck at all he should be in the thick of things again.

Dangers: 2. Mr Invincible followed a win at Narromine with three straight placings before failing at Gilgrandra last time out. He can improve in this. 8. East Harlem has been just behind the placings in his latest two starts and warrants some thought here. 9. Mike was placed at Orange last time out and is not out of this.

How to play it: Nannu WIN.

Best Bets:
Race 2 (5) Able Red.
Race 5 (2) Rubi Air.

Best Value:
Race 7 (9) Merc.

All the entries, form and replays for Sunday’s Cowra meeting