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By John Schell

Selections based on a soft track

1. Kipsamo is from the Brett Cavanough stable and has had two trials leading into this debut. He’s had two trials spread over a lengthy period of time and the latest of them was good despite not beating a runner home. He should be primed to run well in this.

Dangers: 4. Aphelion is on debut for the Messara and Gavanich stable and has had two trials in preparation. His latest trial was solid and he can make an impact here. 10. Read Em’ And Weep is never far from the action despite not winning and should give plenty of cheek here. 11. Upwardly Mobile hit the line well to finish third on debut at Scone, and followed that up with a midfield effort at the same track. She looks one of the top contenders again in this.

How to play it: Kipsamo WIN.

1. Saratoga Power has only had two starts for a third on debut at Scone and then a strong win at Tamworth when doing the job well at his second start. He looks to have plenty of upside and this looks well within his reach again.

Dangers: 2. Soaring Phoenix has a win and five placings from just seven starts and has been placed in each of her three starts since resuming from a spell. She looks well placed here. 3. Koga Ninja resumed from a long spell with a fourth at Tamworth and he looks to have the ability to give this a shake. 4. Dancedes won on debut at Scone and has had two trials leading into this return to racing. She has the ability to make an impact.

How to play it: Saratoga Power WIN.

3. Platinum Ridge had a trial earlier this month and looked good winning that at Scone. Ben Looker takes the ride in this and a forward showing should be on the cards if he can run up to that.

Dangers: 5. Withstand hit the line well out wide when a debut third at this track. His trials were good before that and he looks to have the ability to give this a shake. 4. Trapeze Legend has had a number of trials leading this debut and must be respected, while 10. Dravid debuted with a fifth at Newcastle and has had a trial again leading into this.

How to play it: Platinum Ridge EACH WAY.

13. So Newchee Thinks has been placed in four of her six starts and has finished second in each of her latest three starts. She’s knocking on the door for a win and this looks made to order for her to break through in.

Dangers: 5. Sea Strike had two trials before debuting with a third at Scone when although beaten a fair margin, he ran a solid enough race. 6. Tarrant County ran well on debut at Scone before finishing third behind Bertie here last time out. 3. Éclair Dancer hasn’t been disgraced in recent runs and is not out of this.

How to play it: So Newchee Thinks WIN.

9. Point Basse has had all four of his race starts at Scone and has won three of them and finished second in the other. He hasn’t raced since last November when defeating Bakerloo and has had two trials leading into this return to racing with a second at this track and a third at Scone in those two performances. He’s a well-bred galloper and should be ready to run well fresh here.

Dangers: 4. The Hungarian is a winner of five of 12 starts and resumes here on the back of tacking the Country Classic at Rosehill last November. He’s had two trials to prepare for this and should be ready to sprint well fresh. 10. Crop Duster hit the line well to finish second at Dubbo when last produced and a repeat of that would have him right in the finish of this. 11. Dirty Merchant performed well in a recent trial and has the talent to give this a shake.

How to play it: Point Basse WIN.

5. Tapa Kick has a good record with two wins and a further five placings from just the seven starts. His two wins were at Gosford and then this track last December and then January, and he’s been given two trials in preparation for this return to racing. He looks a progressive galloper and can maintain his consistent record here.

Dangers: 8. Invasive Dreams has been racing well with a couple of placings at Rosehill and then at Newcastle. She looks to be a talented filly and this race looks well within her grasp. 13. Up And Comer resumed with a midfield effort at Scone and only needs to repeat that to be rated a leading chance in this. 4. Jonny Be Swift was first-up from a spell when fourth at Scone and that form looks solid for this event.

How to play it: Tapa Kick WIN.

1. Taking The Mikki resumed with a third at this track before winning in good style at Taree. He since followed a second at Wyong with a midfield finish at the same track behind Osman. He has a good record and only needs to be near his best to figure in the finish again.

Dangers: 3. Sky Artist is first-up from a spell here and has had two trials since finishing third at Scone back in March. She should be poised to sprint well fresh in this. 8. Who Ever Thought won well at Scone two starts ago and since finished fifth at Quirindi as favourite. He can bounce back here. 9. Brok Café is lightly raced and well performed and resumes after a couple of trials here on the back of a last start Randwick placing.

How to play it: Taking The Mikki WIN.

Best Bets:
Race 2 (1) Saratoga Power.
Race 5 (9) Point Basse.

Best Value:
Race 3 (3) Platinum Ridge.

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