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By John Schell

Selections based on a soft track

4. King Soleil debuted at Port Macquarie in super maiden grade and finished a solid fifth before running well again when running third at Muswellbrook at his second start. He since raced on the speed and battled on well when finishing second at Port Macquarie as favourite. He is knocking on the door for a victory and this race looks made to order.

Dangers: 2. King Carlos failed to beat a runner home at Armidale last time out but ran well enough at Muswellbrook before that. He can run well here if he can repeat that effort. 1. Highland Mirage is a former Victorian on debut for a new stable. He’s performed well enough in a trial leading into this and could show up. 9. Little Bubbles started at huge odds here last time out but ran well when finishing third and there’s no reason she can’t figure in the money again.

How to play it: King Soleil WIN.

6. Sheila’s Fanta Sea raced in a forward position at Taree when last produced and did the job in great style to score a solid victory in super maiden company. She had finished second at Muswellbrook before that and is showing enough talent to go on with the job in this.

Dangers: 2. Mosgiel Daisy was a winner at this track three starts ago then ran well enough in Highway company at Rosehill when less than six lengths from the winner. She since ran fourth when back to this track and has claims here on her best form. 1. Ostracised has finished third in each of his latest two starts and another bold showing is on the cards. 3. Chesteray won well at Muswellbrook two starts ago and then wasn’t beaten far when third at Wellington when last produced.

How to play it: Sheila’s Fanta Sea WIN.

12. Oakfield Zena had been racing well enough before being spelled with a number of just behind the placing efforts in provincial grade. She had two trials in June and October before resuming and running well when finishing fifth behind Sheila’s Fanta Sea at Taree and looks set to run well here over the extra distance.

Dangers: 8. Search Warrant ran well when finishing third at Wyong at his latest start and that was his third placing from eight starts. He looks to have the ability to figure again here. 9. Cats Quarters has finished second in four of 22 starts and all four have been at this track so she is poised to run well again here. 3. Think We’re There ran second behind a handy galloper at Scone last time out and has place claims again.

How to play it: Oakfield Zena WIN.

12. Volare is a Hellbent filly that has a wide gate to overcome here but she has been racing well with two placings from as many starts since resuming from a spell. She ran third at Taree when first-up and then finished second at Grafton behind a handy one last time out. She gets her chance to win in this.

Dangers: 2. Calido Magic is lightly raced and has been placed in three of his five starts. He’s finished second in each of his two runs either side of a spell at Grafton and Port Macquarie and is bound to figure in the finish again here. 3. Sir Tom has 15 placings to his name from 23 starts and looks well placed to figure in the minor money again. 1. Queen Calanthe has been racing well since resuming from a spell and a bold showing would not surprise.

How to play it: Volare EACH WAY.

7. Etude had looked good in her trials before debuting with a win at Muswellbrook as an odds-on favourite. He resumes here and has had another two trials and won the latest of them at Hawkesbury in good enough style. She’s drawn well here and can return to racing as a winner.

Dangers: 2. Princess Vittoria was third-up from a spell when running at this track last time out and hit the line well to finish second. She was a maiden winner at Kembla Grange on debut and this looks a nice race for her to run well in. 3. Zoubeauty broke her maiden with a win at Muswellbrook at just her second start in a race. She should run well again with a repeat of that effort. 1. Mr Trackside is resuming from a spell and has won each of his two trials leading into this resuming run.

How to play it: Etude WIN.

7. Jo Jo Sun was third-up from a spell at Port Macquarie when last produced and he did the job well to score a narrow victory at Port Macquarie when staving off a late challenge to hold on and score. He can run well again with a repeat of that.

Dangers: 2. Bob’s Last One led throughout to score at this track two starts ago back in May then took on Highway grade at Randwick and was down the track before being spelled. He resumes here and is a first-up winner. 4. Where’s The Fire was down the track in Highway grade at Randwick before improving with a close-up sixth at this track at his latest start and he can be placed here on that effort. 5. Capitamy resumed with a last placed effort at Scone but he has shown ability on his day and can show up here if anywhere near his best.

How to play it: Jo Jo Sun EACH WAY.

5. Oakfield Peewee ran well when second at Wyong before breaking though with a strong Taree victory. He sticks to a similar distance in this and looks to have the upside to go on with the job.

Dangers: 8. Yareakh was placed in a couple of runs either side of a lengthy spell. He since was midfield in a Rosehill Highway before being heavily backed when midfield behind Tanglewood Jimmy. This looks within his reach. 3. Damascus Gate has won five of 24 starts and was a winner at Bathurst last time out on the back of a fourth at this track. He should run well again here. 6. Yorikiri wasn’t far away at Quirindi before being spelled then ran well enough again when resuming at Scone despite finishing sixth of seven. He doesn’t win often but a placing wouldn’t surprise.

How to play it: Oakfield Peewee WIN.

Best Bets:
Race 3 (12) Oakfield Zena.
Race 7 (5) Oakfield Peewee.

Best Value:
Race 4 (12) Volare.

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