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By John Schell

Selections based on a good track

3. Waikato Flyer had been racing with some sound performances at Kembla Grange, Goulburn and Hawkesbury, before being narrowly beaten as favourite at this track last time out. He’s drawn the inside barrier here and should get the run of the race over the 2000m.

Dangers: 2. Irish Knight found the line well in a small field at Grafton at his latest start and his form had been solid apart from a failure two starts ago. 1. Charmed Destiny has been just behind the placings in his latest two starts and can run into the minor money against these. 6. Kitsilano was a last start third at Grafton and has place claims again.

How to play it: Waikato Flyer WIN.

10. Talma I Love Her was around the mark in a couple of Coffs Harbour runs before finishing fifth at Grafton when coming from a wide gate. He was since beaten a neck when fourth at Kempsey. Talma I Love Her once again has an outside barrier to contend with.

Dangers: 11. Open Circuit finished second at this track when narrowly beaten before a close-up fourth at Tuncurry prior to being spelled. She can perform well fresh here. 12. Stay Tonight is drawn to get the run of the race and can be a sharp improver. 9. Rebel One ran well here last time out and he has claims here on the strength of that.

How to play it: Talma I Love Her WIN.

5. Curracabundi was just behind the placings in two runs at this track before being nosed out at Scone at her latest start in a small field. She’s drawn to advantage here in barrier one and if she runs up to her recent form then she will be hard to beat.

Dangers: 1. He’s A Copy Boy is a three-time winner from 12 starts and resumes here on the back of some solid form before the break. He’s had two runs in preparation for this and should be prominent. 2. Believe So finished last in TAB Highway grade two starts ago but his form either side of that has been sound. 6. Star Of Yamba has been racing well enough to be rated a place chance.

How to play it: Curracabundi EACH WAY.

9. Outreach To Henry led them up at Randwick in tougher company at his last start and a repeat of that effort would have him hard to hold out in this.

Dangers: 4. Time For Victory is resuming from a spell but has the ability to make an impact. 2. Delexo is a handy sprinter on his day and will be fitter for his first-up assignment on the Kensington track at Randwick. 7. Gold Card is resuming from a spell and could sneak into the placings.

How to play it: Outreach To Henry WIN.

1. Bear’s A Star has only had three starts but has shown plenty of talent as shown by a debut second at this track earlier in the year before winning here in maiden grade. He has since resumed from a spell at this track with a third here as favourite.

Dangers: 6. Solutionist was resuming from a spell when scoring a strong win on the Beaumont track at Newcastle. She looms as one of the hardest to beat here. 7. Taking The Mikki raced on the speed and held on well to finish third at Grafton last time out and has claims again. 3. Recap hasn’t been far away in both runs back from a spell and is worth some thought.

How to play it: Bear’s A Star WIN.

7. Snitzaroo had two starts earlier in the year at Gosford and Newcastle and while safely held in both he was far from disgraced. He’s had two trials to prepare for this resuming run and has performed well in each of them. A good draw will also assist his claims.

Dangers: 14. Russian Zarina was on debut when finishing third at Queanbeyan in what was a solid effort. She’ll be better for that experience and can show up again here. 2. Cluster’s General is having his first start and did enough in a recent trial to be rated a chance. 6. Oakfield Badger finished last as favourite at Newcastle last time out but is capable of sharp improvement.

How to play it: Snitzaroo EACH WAY.

***BIG DANCE ELIGIBILITY***

5. Rogue Bear resumed from a spell with a dominant victory at this track three starts ago when he hit the line strongly. He has since tackled better grade races in the city and performed well in both of them at Randwick. This race looks made to order for him.

Dangers: 6. Made By Khan led them up at Rosehill last weekend and held on well to finish third. He has drawn the outside gate here but should push forward and take plenty of running down. 1. Aramayo is a classy performer on his day and comes into this from the same races Rogue Bear has been contesting. 2. Herman Hesse is resuming from a spell on the back of two trials and could get into the placings without surprising.

How to play it: Rogue Bear WIN.

5. Auzstar was midfield in a TAB Highway earlier in the year before justifying favouritism to score at this track before being spelled. He’s had two trials to prepare for this and should be primed to run well.

Dangers: 8. Mr Tabasco can have his latest run forgotten as he was involved in a race that had three horses lose their riders and was virtually eased out of the race. Expect him to be in the finish here if he’s anywhere near his best. 9. Sir Boo resumed from a spell with a fast-finishing win at Grafton and that made it two wins from only four starts. He is worth plenty of thought again. 10. Heir Apparent has been racing well, apart from a down the track effort two starts ago, and he should be thereabouts again.

How to play it: Auzstar WIN.

Best Bets:
Race 1 (3) Waikato Flyer.
Race 5 (1) Bear’s A Star.

Best Value:
Race 3 (5) Curracabundi.

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