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By John Schell

Selections based on a good track

1. Rogue Bear is an import in the Kris Lees stable that had an initial Australian campaign earlier this year when he finished fourth in two of his four starts. Lees has given the gelding two trials leading into this return to racing and he looks ideally suited by the 1400m first-up.

Dangers: 2. Royal Charge hit winning form when scoring three times in a row at Muswellbrook, here, and at Moree. He then was down the track at Bathurst last time out but will find this easier. 3. Hit The Target has been down on form of late but is handy on his day and could be placed here on his best form. 5. Strobing was a Port Macquarie winner four starts ago and two of his three runs since have been sound.

How to play it: Rogue Bear WIN.

10. The Young Years has drawn terribly here but her two runs have both been great. She can run up to those efforts here and be the one to beat.

Dangers: 11. Change The Date has been at big odds at his two runs to date but has claims here. 13. Toy Story should run well here based on his previous form while 14. Fictive can also run well in this. She’s drawn well and has claims.

How to play it: The Young Years WIN.

7. Nyali Sands wasn’t beaten far in each of her first two starts at Muswellbrook and Scone, and she then broke her maiden with a strong last start win at Dubbo as an odds-on favourite. She has plenty of talent and she can go on with the job in this.

Dangers: 4. Headley Grange was on debut at Grafton when he hit the line well to score at double figure odds. A repeat of that would have him in the thick of things here. 8. Typhoon Neta was a winner here three starts back then followed a Tuncurry second with a midfield Grafton effort when not beaten far. 2. Yareakh is resuming from a spell and is a trial winner at this track in preparation for this return. He’s drawn gate one and can figure prominently.

How to play it: Nyali Sands WIN.

12. Scud has been paced in two of three starts, the latest being a first-up third at Coffs Harbour when last produced. She only needs to run up to that to be rated the one to beat here.

Dangers: 6. Asgoodasyougett has performed well enough to date to be rated chance in this while. 13. Sister Paula is lightly raced and has claims. 4. McKeon is resuming here for a new stable and looked good in a recent trial.

How to play it: Scud WIN.

7. Monte De Fiore was down the track when resuming from a spell but his two subsequent runs at Grafton and Coffs Harbour have been sound when finishing fourth and third. The step up to 1250m in this shouldn’t pose a problem, and expect him to run a bold race.

Dangers: 2. Don’t Forget Dad has been racing consistently and only needs to overcome a wide gate to be rated a chance here. 4. Golden Breeze was a winner at Grafton two starts ago then was just behind the placings at this track last time out. 5. Star Of Yamba can run a good race on her day and did win at Bowraville two starts ago.

How to play it: Monte De Fiore EACH WAY.

2. Bantarki was a strong winner at this track last time out when he raced close to the speed and held on well. He can again be prominent and hold on well again.

Dangers: 3. Dis Is Heaven is a winner of two from six and is deserving of respect again, while 1. Imatruestar has been racing well and has claims. 8. My One has drawn awkwardly but can be thereabouts without surprising.

How to play it: Bantarki WIN

3. Superium comes into this on the back of a solid last start third in group 3 grade at Sandown. This is a step up in distance for him but he has plenty of class and should get a good run from the good barrier.

Dangers: 5. Special Swey is handy on his day and will strip fitter for a first-up run at Rosehill. The step up in distance is ideal. 6. Holstein has been racing well and was placed in the Lismore Cup last time out. He can figure here without surprising. 7. Full Press won the Lismore Cup and can be thereabouts again.

How to play it: Superium WIN.

3. Alicia Roma is a speedy mare that raced well when resuming and she can be the one to beat here with the shorter straight. She should dictate and score.

Dangers: 6. Debussy has a good draw and can hit the line well while, 4. Austeja is good at best and can be placed. 10. Poita has claims on the strength of latest form.

How to play it: Alicia Roma WIN.

Best Bets:
Race 1 (1) Rogue Bear.
Race 8 (3) Alicia Roma.

Best Value:
Race 5 (7) Monte De Fiore

All the fields, form and replays for Friday's Taree meeting