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By John Schell

Selections based on a good track

1. Casino Bear was a winner over 2200m at Grafton early in December and since then he’s finished fourth and third at Armidale and Kempsey respectively before a couple of just behind the placing efforts at this track and Coffs Harbour. He doesn’t win out of turn but is racing well enough to bounce back to top form here. 2. Fighting Magnus hasn’t been beaten far in his latest two starts at Tuncurry and Port Macquarie. 5. Hallowed Son was placed at Quirindi when last produced and he has a solid place strike rate. 4. Cassie’s Lad broke his maiden at Quirindi on Boxing Day and is capable of going on with the job.

How to play it: Casino Bear WIN.

1. All Hunky Dory formerly raced in Hong Kong and resumed after more than three years away from racing with a second at Tamworth before winning at this track when second-up. He has the talent to go on with the job and win again here. 2. Spiritly was placed at Port Macquarie before a couple of fourths Coffs Harbour and here. 3. Idol Shot was a winner here before a close-up fifth here last time out. 5. Yamba’s Girl can be a factor if she can up to a second here two starts ago.

How to play it: All Hunky Dory WIN.

2. Thebes was placed at Scone back in July and a repeat of that would give him a chance in this. 1. Wezza has been placed in three of eight starts and has place claims again. 7. Hoo Haa has five placings from 19 starts and while she was safely held into second placing at Wyong last time out, she will find this an easier assignment against this opposition. She can be placed again. 5. Oh Deer debuted with an eighth at Scone midway through last year and resumes here after a third in a trial in November. She can show improvement here.

How to play it: Thebes WIN.

10. Little Bubbles ran third at huge odds here three starts ago before failing and then showing improvement when close-up in fourth again at this track last time out. She gets her chance to break through with a win in this. 1. Craig’s One debuted with a midfield effort at Kempsey as favourite and is worth plenty of thought. 4. Queen Calanthe has been placed in four of 10 starts and has claims again. 7. Tuncurry is resuming from a spell and is an improver.

How to play it: Little Bubbles WIN.

6. Skates On is fresh for this having been safely held in his latest three starts. He is handy at his best though, and there’s no reason he can’t return to his best form here and sprint well. 5. Cool Fix has a great record and is rarely far from the action. She resumes here and should be primed to run well. 3. Floss’s One was a Kempsey winner before being spelled then resumed in Highway grade at Randwick with a down the track effort. 1. Starry Jack was placed at this track when resuming from a spell and is worth some thought again.

How to play it: Skates On EACH WAY.

1. Toy Story doesn’t win often but has been racing well to be around the money in recent runs. He should be in the thick of things if anywhere near his best. 2. Nipper Bee is a last start Inverell winner, and another bold showing is on the cards. 7. Meghan hasn’t been far away in her latest two starts and warrants thought. 8. Welcome Back scored a surprise win here two starts ago and is not out of this.

How to play it: Toy Story WIN.

14. Hell Of A Fox has been placed in two of her six starts and resumed from a spell with a sixth on the Beaumont track at Newcastle behind Alliri. She was a trial winner leading into that and should have derived benefit. 4. Rush Fortyfive debuted with a solid enough effort on the Beaumont track and can improve on that up to this distance. 10. Tikiroo comes out of the same race Hell Of A Fox contested and wasn’t far behind it in that event. 2. Namoi River was safely held at Nowra when resuming but can improve.

How to play it: Hell Of A Fox WIN.

3. Cabsav hasn’t won for a while, but his form hasn’t been too bad including a fourth at Grafton before a second at the Gold Coast and then a last start sixth at the Gold Coast when beaten just over two lengths. This looks a suitable event for him to bounce back into winning form. 5. Zaru was placed in a couple of runs at this track and Newcastle before a last start fifth on the Beaumont track at Newcastle. He’s handy at best and has Aaron Bullock to ride. 11. Solutionist wasn’t beaten far behind Island Legend at this track at her latest start and should show up with a repeat of that effort. 8. Island Legend is a last start winner here that has claims again.

How to play it: Cabsav WIN.

Best Bets:
Race 1 (1) Casino Bear.
Race 7 (14) Hell Of A Show.

Best Value:
Race 5 (6) Skates On.

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