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By John Schell

Selections based on a soft track

1. Mighty Zou has only had three starts and finished fourth in two of them and fifth in the other. He steps up in distance for this event and it looks like it will suit given the manner in which he’s hit the line in his runs to date. Jeff Penza should give Mighty Zou the run of the race from gate three.

Dangers: 3. Rebel One has had plenty of chances but continues to race well. He was placed here three starts ago and ran second at Coffs Harbour when last produced. There’s no reason he can’t figure in the finish again. 2. Point To Prove has two third placings to his name from 19 starts. He’s been safely held of late but could sneak into the placings here. 8. Wild Tempest was down the track at Mudgee on debut but is capable of improvement.

How to play it: Mighty Zou.

10. Incantress had two starts earlier in the year and was unplaced in each of them at Gosfod and Tamworth. She was spelled after those events and has had two trials in preparation for this, finishing second to Shoutaboutit in the latest.

Dangers: 12. Shoutaboutit is yet to figure in the placings from four starts but hasn’t been disgraced. She was an easy recent trial winner leading into this return to racing and bears close watching. 1. Oakfield Peewee was down the track here before being spelled but has been placed in two of four starts and warrants place thought here fresh. 3. Emotional Appeal had two starts earlier in the year and was safely held in each of them. She’s had a solid trial leading into this return to racing and can improve sharply here.

How to play it: Incantress EACH WAY.

5. Oakfield Mamselle is a five-year-old mare with a handy enough record of two wins and as many second placings from just seven starts. She was a winner at this track last November and then again in January before being spelled. She resumed with a sixth at Muswellbrook on the back of two trials and should be better for that effort.

Dangers: 1. Mazita ran third at Muswelbrook two starts ago when fighting on well enough, and since then went forward early and again fought on well to finish second at Mudgee. He has a handy record and is not out of this. 4. Silent Russian improved at his second run back from a spell when finishing fifth at Wyong last time out. He’s got a solid overall record and warrants respect. 7. He’s A Copy Boy has failed to fire in recent starts but has the ability to improve sharply.

How to play it: Oakfield Mamselle WIN.

10. It’s Showtime has finished third in three of his 10 starts and those placings have come in three of his latest four outings. Those runs where at Scone and Tamworth, and he performed well again at his latest start when finishing a solid fourth Mudgee when racing close to the speed and battling on well enough.

Dangers: 4. Rockbarton Island resumes from a spell here and has been placed in three of eight starts. He ran well when second at Quirindi in February and while he failed in two Tamworth runs following that he has had a solid trial leading into this. 7. Sethfire is on debut here and has had a number of trials in preparation. He could show up without surprising. 9. Cats Quarters was placed here back in April and was spelled after a midfield Grafton effort following that. She resumes here and has solid place claims.

How to play it: It’s Showtime WIN.

3. Snitzaroo has two wins at Gosford and Muswellbrook to his name from nine starts. He resumed from a spell with a close-up second at Nowra, then finished a sound sixth at Hawkesbury at his latest start against tougher grade than he meets in this.

Dangers: 2. Taking The Mikki has been placed in each of his latest two starts at Scone and this track, the latest when third to Zenti. He’s talented at best and looks to have solid claims in this. 9. Sumo Fish has two wins and two placings from 15 starts and comes into this after a last start second at Kempsey. He can figure here with a repeat. 6. Edge Of Midnight was placed in is latest four starts late last year and earlier this year before being spelled. He should sprint well fresh here and take beating.

How to play it: Snitzaroo WIN.

9. Salamancas was having his first run for the Noe Mayfield-Smith stable when scoring a win at Kempsey when attacking the line well at the end of July. He had been placed twice at Ipswich in two of his previous three starts. He’s drawn well here and looms as a winning chance again.

Dangers: 6. Packer hasn’t been disgraced when midfield in each of his latest two starts. He bobs up every now and again and a forward showing here wouldn’t surprise. 3. Who Ever Thought ran well in Highway grade at Rosehill two starts ago before running well when second at Mudgee. He can figure again if he maintains that form. 2. Kennedy Choice has been down on is best form of late but is capable of turning things around without surprising.

How to play it: Salamancas EACH WAY.

7. Sigsworth looked good winning a couple on end when scoring at Muswellbrook and Kempsey in July. He then took on Highway grade at Randwick and was far from disgraced when finishing ninth, beaten just over three lengths. He looks suited in the company.

Dangers: 4. Octavian Treasure led all the way to score at Tamworth back in July before finishing down the track in Highway company at Rosehill. She since ran second at Muswellbrook before winning again at Kempsey last time out. She should take a power of beating if she can maintain that form. 1. Zenti won well here at his latest start before failing in a Highway at Randwick. This is more suitable. 2. Supreme Command is on the quick back-up after a close-up seventh at Kempsey last week.

How to play: Sigsworth EACH WAY.

Best Bets:
Race 1 (1) Mighty Zou.
Race 5 (3) Snitzaroo.

Best Value:
Race 7 (7) Sigsworth.

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