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By John Schell

Selections based on a soft track

1. Mr Damage had been placed in his first three starts and then was down the track at Grafton before bouncing back to form with a close-up second at Coffs Harbour before being spelled. He resumes here from barrier one and should get the run of the race.

Dangers: 8. Meghan has had two starts since joining the new stable and finished second in the first of them before a last start eighth. She has been placed in six of her 12 starts and could show up without surprising. 10. Bondi Prophet resumed from a spell with a third at Port Macquarie and that form looks good enough to be rated a place chance at least in this company. 12. Little Bubbles was just behind the placings in each of two starts at Grafton in April. She resumes here and only has to run up to those efforts to be given plenty of thought against these.

How to play it: Mr Damage WIN.

9. Éclair has had three runs back from a spell and has been racing in great form with a resuming second and a last start second at Scone having a win at the same track in between. She’s a well-bred mare that has tactical speed and this looks well within her grasp.

Dangers: 7. Pony Soprano had shown talent in his trials before he debuted with a win at Coffs Harbour as an odds-on favourite when leading all the way. That was in Super Maiden grade and he can handle the step up in class here. 11. Get Some Fun ran second on debut at Tuncurry before running right up to that when winning at this track by a big margin at her second start. She looks talented and another bold showing is on the cards. 5. De Forza debuted with a second at Coffs Harbour then won at Grafton before finishing second at the same track. She tackled city grade at Eagle Farm last time out and wasn’t beaten too far. She can overcome the wide gate here.

How to play it: Éclair EACH WAY.

6. Justice Warrior has had three starts with a placing on debut at Canterbury being followed by a second at Gosford and then a last placing at Canterbury before being spelled. He’s had two trials in preparation for this return to racing and has won each of them. He is primed to return with a good showing.

Dangers: 12. Tequila Baby ran well enough in her only two starts earlier in the year at Randwick and Gosford. She’s had two trials leading into this resuming effort and won the latest at Canterbury. She should run well. 1. Jared has been placed in eight of his 12 starts and comes into this on the back of a last start second at Newcastle. 7. Lyles has had two trials leading into this debut and a forward showing is expected.

How to play it: Justice Warrior WIN.

8. Ningaloo Reef has only had four starts and has been placed in three of them. He’s had two starts since resuming from a spell and finished second in each of them at Hawkesbury and Kembla Grange. He’s drawn well here and is primed to run well.

Dangers: 10. Gimme Gimme was first-up from a spell when finishing a last start third at Scone. She ran well enough in two tougher grade races late last year and looks suited in this company. 13. Phenom wasn’t disgraced when unplaced on the Kensington track at Randwick on debut in March and she was then spelled. She resumes here and has had two trials to prepare. She’s drawn wide but can show up. 14. Turning Circle was midfield on debut at Gosford at her only start and resumes here. Her two trials have been good and a forward showing is on the cards.

How to play it: Ningaloo Reef WIN.

5. Boncassie is a classy mare at her best and she followed a couple of safely held Doomben efforts with a last start dominant victory at Coffs Harbour when leading throughout. She has one start over this distance at this track and that resulted in a win. She should push forward again here and take plenty of running down.

Dangers: 6. Leave Me Some was a solid winner at Wyong three starts ago and since then has finished second at Tamworth and fourth at Newcastle. She’s drawn well here and should be hitting the line well. 8. Crowie’s Shout was a last start winner at this track and he can show up again here despite the rise in grade. 3. Conrad resumes here and has had two good trials leading into it. He form before the break was down on his best but he can improve sharply.

How to play it: Boncassie WIN.

8. Chaserlette is resuming from a spell and cones into this on the back of two straight Taree victories before the break. She’s lightly raced and is an on-pace runner that should give a good account of herself fresh.

Dangers: 7. Catchy Tunes did a good job to score at Kempsey two starts ago and then raced in the lead and looked home only to be claimed late at Scone. She’s racing well enough to give this a shake. 2. Oakfield Triumph has been placed in Midway grade races at Randwick and resumes from a spell I this on the back of two trials at Wyong and Hawkesbury. He has the talent to be rated one of the leading contenders here. 1. Veecee is having his first start here since joining a new stable. He’s shown ability in his career and this looks a nice race for him.

How to play it: Chaserlette WIN.

9. Sigsworth won a couple on end at Muswellbrook and Kempsey before running well in Highway grade at Randwick and then hitting the line well for a last start third at Taree. He’s drawn to get the run of the race here and is worth plenty of thought.

Dangers: 1. Buck Pharoah has had three starts back from a spell and was placed in the first two of them before a last start fourth at this track when beaten just over one length. His form is good enough to give this a shake. 2. Baiyka hasn’t been beaten far despite being unplaced in both runs back from a spell. She looms as a knockout chance here. 4. Iobject has been racing well with a couple of recent placings and a win at Armidale as favourite two starts ago. He could figure again here.

How to play it: Sigsworth WIN.

*BIG DANCE ELIGIBILITY*

2. Touristic has been racing in fine form with a win at Morning back in June being followed by successive seconds behind Golden Path, Deny Knowledge and Eliyass in good grade races. He finished sixth in the Newcastle Cup at his latest assignment and only needs to repeat his previous form in order to be hard to hold out here.

Dangers: 1. Redstone Well ran third to Golden Path at Randwick three starts ago then went to the front and dashed clear to score an easy win in Listed grade at Randwick. He blew the start in the Newcastle Cup and was never a factor from there. He’s drawn well here and can atone. 3. Raf Attack is also drawn well and comes into this on the back of two Rosehill placings. He should race on the speed and take running down. 8. Prime Impact led and fought on too well to win the Prelude of this race and he should figure prominently again with a repeat.

How to play it: Touristic WIN.

4. Adjourn resumed from a lengthy spell with a solid finishing second at Newcastle and then raced in a forward position before weakening in the straight but not being disgraced when near last at Coffs Harbour. He’s ready to peak now and is drawn to get a good run.

Dangers: 12. Frappes went to the front and bolted clear to score at Grafton two starts ago then led them up in the Lismore Cup when finishing fifth. He can give a sight here. 9. Agirlsbestfriend hit the line well to score a last start win at this track and that followed a placing in Highway grade at Rosehill. 2. Oakfield Prince has had two runs back from a spell and should be ready to return to his best form which would be good enough to win this.

How to play it: Adjourn EACH WAY.

Best Bets:
Race 3 (6) Justice Warrior.
Race 5 (5) Boncassie.

Best Value:
Race 2 (9) Éclair.

All the fields, form and replays for Friday's Port Macquarie Cup meeting