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By John Schell

Selections based on a good track

8. Time Bandit had two barrier trials and performed well in both before debuting with a strong win at Queanbeyan. The filly raced on the speed and toughed things out well to score when under pressure. She would have derived benefit from that hitout and can go on with the job here.

Dangers: 6. Hot Sundae won on the Acton track at Canberra last time out and is capable off showing up here in a depleted race given the scratchings. 4. Desi Girl comes into calculations now, as does 5. Final Showdown now that there are only six runners going around.

How to play it: Time Bandit WIN.

9. Via Rose is a member of the Patrick Murphy team and the stable has been flying of late. The mare hasn’t been disgraced in each of her four runs back from a spell and she has drawn well enough here to be able to take up a good position from the outset.

Dangers: 6. Dhyani is yet to be placed from six starts but was far from disgraced on the Acton track at Canberra last time out. She’s drawn well here and has claims. 3. Devgru has some sound Victorian form and can show up here in what isn’t a strong race. 4. Kenseye Charmer has only had three starts and is improving all the time.

How to play it: Via Rose EACH WAY.

1. Snappy Jim has only won three from 20 starts but is back from a short break here and has trialled well since his latest start. He’s drawn wide here but has Nick Heywood in the saddle and that will give him an advantage.

Dangers: 3. Rangatira is coming into this on the back off a midfield Hawkesbury effort. This will be an easier assignment and he as a Sapphire Coast winner three starts ago. 2. Lady Tabloid is a stablemate of Snappy Jim and has the credentials to be rated a winning chance against these. 5. Don’t Thinkaboutit has been placed at his latest two starts and warrants respect again.

How to play it: Snappy Jim WIN.

8. Dylan’s Lad is a lightly raced gelding that has only had three starts and has performed well in each of them. He was midfield on debut and then again when resuming at Muswellbrook before winning at Mudgee last time out. He’s on the way up and can win again here.

Dangers: 3. Calmer Karma has hit form of late on the Acton track at Canberra, having a win and two placings. He returns to the turf here but has the talent to be prominent again. 9. Vancouver’s Crown was strong when winning here last time out and can be a threat again, while 2. Titan Star has been racing well and should be respected again.

How to play it: Dylan’s Lad WIN.

6. Sacred Girl was having her second run back from a spell when she hit the line strongly to score a win at Wyong last time out. She camped off the speed and staved off her rivals to win in good fashion and if she backs that up, she can win again.

Dangers: 5. Threw pushed forward to hit the lead at Queanbeyan last time out and fought on very strongly to score a solid win. Similar tactics from a wide alley could provide another strong showing. 7. Stasera was a winner at Goulburn in March and has had two runs back from a spell, the latest being a third at this track. 1. All About Ollie was placed last time out and could figure again without susprising.

How to play it: Sacred Girl WIN.

1. Microna is an ultra-consistent performer that has finished second in 14 races, in addition to scoring four wins from 49 starts. The seven-year-old was down on form last campaign but resumed from a spell with 66 kilograms, less three kilos from the claim from Emma Ly, and finished second behind Nullify at Goulburn. He drops in weight here and Emma Ly retains the ride. Anywhere near his best, Microna is the one to beat.

Dangers: 9. Ninja Star has been racing well this campaign with a Moruya first-up win being followed by a fifth at Kembla Grange and a second at Goulburn. She’s since won at this track and only needs to run up to that to be a leading contender again. 2. El Lago comes here after a strong last start Bathurst win and warrants respect again, while 4. Tip Top Timing can bob up on his day and shouldn’t be taken lightly.

How to play it: Microna EACH WAY.

7. Panic is a Time Test gelding on debut here for the Michael Freedman stable. He has had four barrier trials, two earlier in the year and another two recently, leading into this. Panic hasn’t struck an overly strong race here and a forward showing is on the cards.

Dangers: 12. Miss Hades is a three-year-old filly on debut here for the Gary Portelli stable. She’ has three trials, and won the latest of them. She’s drawn gate one here and is set to get to the run of the race. 13. Nettles has had two starts, and finished third at Mudgee last time out behind a handy galloper. She can be thereabouts again. 4. Galactic Miss has been placed in two of her five starts and she wasn’t beaten far at Bathurst last time out. She is worth thought again in this.

How to play it: Panic WIN.

Best bets:
Race 4 (8) Dylan’s Lad.
Race 7 (7) Panic.

Best Value:
Race 6 (1) Microna.

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