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By John Schell

Selections based on a soft track

2. Oakfield Zena is a lightly raced mare that has only had three starts and she showed improvement last time out when finishing fourth at Tuncurry. This race doesn’t appear to have a lot of depth and she gets her chance to break through.

Dangers: 1. Lady Brulee hasn’t been disgraced in her three runs back from a spell and looks placed to advantage against these. 5. Cheeky Secrets has only been placed in two of 20 starts but could figure in the minor money here. 3. The Real Prince was placed here two starts ago and could sneak into the minor money again.

How to play it: Oakfield Zena WIN.

2. Vis I Do hit the line well at this track last time out when finishing a close-up second behind Burraneer Boy. He’s been placed in each of his four starts since resuming from a spell and is drawn to get every chance again in this.

Dangers: 3. Burraneer Buoy was a solid last start winner at this track and should give plenty of cheek again. 1. Macleay ran well when second at Armidale at his first run back from a long spell and has had a trial leading into this. 5. Arrabbiata won well at Armidale over Macleay last time out and can give some cheek again.

How to play it: Vis I Do WIN.

3. Don’t Call Me Honey was scratched from an event last week and has drawn much better this time in gate three. His two most recent trials have been good with wins in each of them. He is a jump and run horse that should be in the thick of things throughout.

Dangers: 4. Off The Press is on debut here and has had two recent trials to prepare in which he’s looked good. 1. Miss Adamas has been placed in her last four starts and this looks within her reach. 11. Vercelli has had two trials and has claims based on those solid efforts.

How to play it: Don’t Call Me Honey WIN

5. Smokin’ Crazy started favourite at Mudgee at her latest start and was only beaten a half length when finishing third. She has a good record from her five-start career and this race looks well within her reach.

Dangers: 3. Rura Penthe ran well at Armidale last time out and has had a trial since then to be kept up to the mark for this. 6. Turnaway hasn’t been far away in all four starts since resuming from a spell and warrants thought again. 4. Crime Spree is fitter for a recent run and has right place prospects.

How to play it: Smokin’ Crazy WIN.

9. A Shooting Duck created a good impression when scoring two wins from as many starts earlier in the year at Muswellbrook and Scone when starting a short-priced favourite on each occasion. She’s had two trials at Scone and this track to prepare for this return to racing and has the services of jockey Ashley Morgan.

Dangers: 4. Custo resumed with a win at Scone as an odds-on favourite then was midfield in stronger grade at Randwick. 6. Mystery Lad is resuming from a long spell but has a solid record and can be expected to run well. 7. Small Town was midfield at Wellington when resuming and is worth thought.

How to play it: A Shooting Duck WIN.

11. Dances With Hooves comes into this with similar trial form to stablemate Don’t Call Me Honey which runs earlier in the day. She was also scratched from an assignment last week in order to be saved for this event. She has won her latest two trials at Scone and this track and she’s drawn a nice gate in this big field.

Dangers: 8. My Riviera has had two trials, with one earlier in the year and the latest earlier this month. She’s drawn well here and Aaron Bullock takes the ride. 9. Turbo Charged is resuming from a spell and his two trials leading into this have been solid. 6. Jamesy is on debut and his latest trial was sound.

How to play it: Dances With Hooves WIN.

2. Aesthete is resuming from a spell here and is a three-time winner from 13 starts. He won his latest two starts at Coonabarabran and this track before being spelled with both those victories being over 1600m. The 1200m here might be short of his best but he’s had two trials to prepare and a solid tempo should result in him hitting the line well.

Dangers: 3. Mr Wallace ran well when a narrow second at this track at his latest start and he should give cheek again. 6. Chestime resumed with a second at Tuncurry and can be thereabouts again. 5. Island Legend is a last start Gosford winner and has claims on that effort.

How to play it: Aesthete EACH WAY.

Best Bets:
Race 2 (2) Vis I Do
Race 5 (9) A Shooting Duck.

Best Value:
Race 7 (2) Aesthete.

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