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By John Schell

Selections based on a soft track

4. Zippo Idea was resuming from a spell when she settled back in the field at Scone. She hit the line well to finish third behind Tarabeau in that event and strips fitter for this. Zippo Idea has drawn well enough in this to take up a closer position if desired.

Dangers: 3. Takemine ran well on debut when finishing fourth at Scone and should be better for that experience. 1. Dysart is also on debut and has looked good in his two most recent trials but will need luck from the outside gate. 7. Jody Girl disappointed last time out but her previous form was strong enough to be rated a place chance in this.

How to play it: Zippo Idea WIN.

7. Opus was having his second run back from a spell when he powered home from back in the field to score a commanding victory at Taree last time out. He was having just his third start in a race on that occasion, and looks to have plenty of upside.

Dangers: 4. Bliss looked good winning a couple on end at Warren and Mudgee then was midfield at Coonamble last time out. She steps up in distance for this and can bounce back. 1. Jamrock has had three runs back from a spell and should be primed to show his best in this. 3. Rolled Gold comes into this on the back of a Gunnedah victory and is deserving of some thought again.

How to play it: Opus WIN.

10. Hard To Dismiss has only won two races from 28 starts but she has a further 14 placings to her name. She is resuming from a spell in this and performed well in a recent trial to prepare. Hard To Dismiss was placed in her only run at this distance.

Dangers: 4. Elegant Empress is a city placegetter that resumed from a spell with a last start second at Queanbeyan. She wasn’t disgraced in tougher races than this last campaign and this looks well within her reach. 12. Zoe Shark was a winner at Quirindi two starts back then ran well at Gosford last time out. She is one of the chances here. 3. Who Goes There impressed winning his first two starts as favourite earlier this year then resumed with a down the track effort at Gosford last month. Expect improvement in this.

How to play it: Hard To Dismiss EACH WAY.

10. Magnucat is on debut here but has had a number of trials in preparation. She had two hitouts earlier in the year then was turned out for a break. Magnucat has since returned with a Hawkesbury trial win before finishing a close second in a Warwick Farm assignment. She’s drawn a little wide in this 900m event, but expect her to show enough speed to be prominent.

Dangers: 3. Super Story ran well enough at Gosford when resuming then backed that up with a solid last start second to Tarabeau at Scone. 1. Maximum Ride is on debut for trainer Damien Lane and has the services of Aaron Bullock which is in his favour. 6. Catchy Tunes showed some improvement last time out and could sneak into the placings.

How to play it: Magnucat WIN.

11. Tapa Kick was placed in each of his first four starts prior to being spelled. He since looked good in a trial at Scone before resuming at Gosford when hitting the line well to score a strong win as favourite. Tapa Kick steps up in distance in this.

Dangers: 2. Zoffany’s Gaze was hitting the line well when finishing fourth at Tamworth at his latest outing. 3. Burraneer Buoy won well at Tamworth two starts back then ran well enough at the same track last time out when finishing fourth. 5. Musical Affair has had two runs back from a spell for a third at Narromine and a close-up fourth at Coonamble. She’s ready to produce her best here.

How to play it: Tapa Kick WIN.

2. Ferro Vero started as an odds-on favourite at Scone when resuming from a spell and he attacked the line strongly to score a narrow but impressive victory. Ferro Vero since went to the city when down the track in Highway grade, although he wasn’t beaten far.

Dangers: 5. Hot Bandit had a second at Muswellbrook and a win at Scone in his initial racing preparation then resumed from a spell with a midfield effort at Scone last month. He is worth another chance in this. 4. Always In has been placed in each of her latest two starts at Kembla Grange and Wyong and she is worth thought here despite the wide barrier. 7. Stock The Rose has been racing well and scored well at Tamworth last time out.

How to play it: Ferro Vero WIN.

12. Image Of The Sun was on debut at Scone when settling well back in the field before charging home late for a third when beaten just over two lengths. She will be better for that experience and the step up in distance should suit.

Dangers: 14. Up And Comer took on tougher company in two starts earlier in the year then resumed from a spell with a third at Orange when not beaten far. She can figure prominently here. 1. Medinah ran well when finishing second as favourite at Scone last time out and has been placed in four of his nine starts. 2. Sovereign Dane was placed at Hawkesbury at his second race start last campaign and resumed from a spell with a fourth on the Beaumont track at Newcastle when no match for the winner. He can be thereabouts in this without surprising.

How to play it: Image Of The Sun EACH WAY.

Best Bets:
Race 6 (2) Ferro Vero.
Race 7 (12) Image Of The Sun.

Best Value:
Race 3 (10) Hard To Dismiss.

All the fields, form and replays for Thursday's Muswellbrook meeting