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By John Schell

Selections based on a soft track

7. Hacking has had three starts and her best effort was a second at Lismore at her second start. She resumes from a spell here and finished third in a recent trial in preparation for this and it looks a nice race for her to return in. 6. Cianwood City debuts in this and did the job well to score in a Grafton trial. She looks to have the ability to give this a shake. 4. Kermaceto finally got into the placings when a last start third at Grafton. She can give plenty of cheek here. 1. No Ragrets resumes from a spell here having had a recent trial at Ballina in which Hacking beat him home.

How to play it: Hacking WIN.

4. Without Parallel had looked good in her trials before debuting and leading throughout to score a strong victory at Murwillumbah. She’s drawn ideally in gate two here and should push forward again and take plenty of running down. 2. Pal’s Reign has a good record with a win and two placings from just the five starts. He won at Taree in December and was then placed at Ballina and Murwillumbah. 1. Humphree Bear ran well at his second start when finishing second as favourite at Grafton and then was in winning form when scoring at the same track last time out. He has the talent to give this a shake. 5. Fools Play wasn’t beaten far at Grafton when last produced.

How to play it: Without Parallel WIN.

1. National Goal was a winner of a trial at Ballina before debuting with a solid enough fifth at Ipswich as favourite. He should have derived benefit from that hitout and can make an impact here. 6. Sand ‘N’ Power has shown talent with three placings to his name from six starts, and they have been in his latest three outings. From the good gate here, he should het every chance. 4. Victory Melody was midfield at Ipswich when resuming from a spell and could get into the placings here without surprising. 5. Oppa has been placed in both runs since joining the new stable and is far from the worst in this line-up.

How to play it: National Goal WIN.

2. One Thing Counts was a Ballina winner back in January and then was down the track at the Sunshine Coast before a midfield Gold Coast effort at his latest start. He’s shown enough potential in his career to be rated a leading hope here and the distance shouldn’t hold any concerns. 3. Maurizma was a solid Ballina winner two starts ago and was then midfield at Doomben. This is a more suitable assignment. 5. Kovanos has won two of her last four starts and wasn’t beaten far when a last start third at the Sunshine Coast. 8. Backlit Beauty scored a strong Ballina win last time out and is worth including among the main chances again.

How to play it: One Thing Counts EACH WAY.

6. Foo Fighter raced on the speed and gave a good sight when finishing third at Grafton at his latest run. That was his second placing from six starts and he is knocking on the door to break his maiden. 1. Artspace resumed from a spell with an eighth at Ipswich and wasn’t beaten too far in that event. He’ll strip fitter for this. 8. Mr Crowning Moment ran well enough at his latest run to suggest he can show up again, while 13. Next Pay Run has been placed in three in a row and has claims again.

How to play it: Foo Fighter WIN.

1. Zourata is a five-time winner from 21 starts and he finished second at this track after leading three starts ago. He’s been below his best since then but if he can return to anywhere near his best here then he looks well placed to return to winning form. 6. Eagle Hawk Star was also placed here three starts back and then ran a solid second at Wyong before a close-up fourth at Grafton. This looks like a suitable race for him. 7. I’lltellyougo won a few on end at Cairns midway through last year ad has had two runs since joining a new stable. 9. Call Me Super wasn’t beaten far when midfield at Port Macquarie when last produced and she won a couple in a row before being spelled.

How to play it: Zourata WIN.

4. West Cork was placed in a couple of Ipswich runs back in December before finishing fifth at that track and then running eighth at the Sunshine Coast at his latest start. He has a solid enough overall record and can bounce back to form here. 3. Gregarious was back to his best when scoring a last start win at the Gold Coast. He also has a good record and should be prominent against this company. 12. Miley’s Memory hasn’t been too far away in any of her most recent starts and could show up against these. 16. Dazzling Robert has a wide alley to overcome but is capable of running into the placings.

How to play it: West Cork WIN.

6. Fukubana is a classy performer with three wins and as many placings from just the eight starts. He ran fourth in the Hobartville this time last year and his only failure was in Group 1 grade in the Randwick Guineas. He’s had two runs back from a spell in Brisbane for a third at Eagle Farm before a win at Doomben as favourite. Has plenty of upside and should take plenty of beating. 3. Tribeca Star is a hugely talented galloper that won the equivalent of this race last year when it was contested at Grafton. He’s rarely been far away in any of his runs since then and ran seventh in The Kosciuszko at Randwick last October. He resumed with a close-up third at Doomben and should be ready to peak here. 7. Lubrication is a consistent performer with a good overall record. All three wins have been at Doomben, and he resumed from a spell with a third placing when beaten less than a length at Doomben. He’s a well-bred galloper that can be in the thick of things. 9. Sammy Conquers All is a lightly raced gelding with just the six starts to his name. Is a two-time winner with a further two placings, including a last start third in Highway grade at Randwick. Hit the line hard in the latest effort and looks to have upside and a forward showing would not surprise.

How to play it: Fukubana WIN.

Best Bets:
Race 6 (1) Zourata.
Race 8 (6) Fukubana.

Best Value:
Race 4 (2) One Thing Counts.

All the fields, form and replays for Saturday’s Country Championships meeting at Lismore