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By John Schell

Selections based on a soft to heavy track

8. Exceedaqa had two starts in Queensland earlier in the year for a third at Doomben and a fourth at the Sunshine Coast. She’s had two trials leading into this return to racing and looms as the one to beat if the breaks go her way.

Dangers: 4. Lulo Rose wasn’t disgraced in both her starts back in March and if she can run up to those she should run well having been a recent trial winner. 6. Billybago ran last on debut at Grafton and has had a solid trial to prepare for this resuming run. A bold showing here would not surprise. 1. Headstart resumed from a spell with a midfield effort at Taree and has had a trial at Wyong since to be kept up to the mark for this.

How to play it: Exceedaqa WIN.

10. Uncut Gem has figured in the placings in five of 11 starts. She ran well when third at Kempsey when last produced and if she can repeat that then she should figure prominently here.

Dangers: 11. Welcome Back has had plenty of chances and has had her share of placings, but if she’s anywhere near her best she looms as a place contender here. 6. All Too Rosey was midfield at Grafton at her latest start, and has performed well in stronger races than this. 5. All Too Edie is yet to figure in the placings from 13 starts, but she ran well at Inverell when last produced and could run into the money in this.

How to play it: Uncut Gem WIN.

4. Special Day had been racing well before hitting the line well enough for a third behind Born Conqueror and Killzy at Taree. She backed that up with a close-up fourth at Newcastle last time out and has the ability to give this a shake.

Dangers: 1. Born Conqueror had been racing well before breaking through with another win at Taree last time out when racing on the speed and fighting on too well. 6. Killzy hit the line well for a last start second at Taree when performing well enough to give this a shake, while 5. Tina’s Rock ran fifth in that event at Taree and has minor money claims in this.

How to play it: Special Day WIN.

1. Enterprise Private has been placed in two of his five starts and has been just behind the placings in each of his two runs since resuming from a spell. He looks suited by the step up in distance and can give this a shake.

Dangers: 3. Poiema hit the line well when sixth at Scone when resuming, then followed that up with a solid fourth at Taree. She can figure prominently here with a repeat of that form. 4. Kitsilano was placed at Muswellbrook and Taree before a last start seventh at Kempsey when beaten just over one length. He is racing well enough to give this a shake. 13. The Simple Life ran fourth in the same race Kitsilano contested last time out, and if she can run up to that performance then she should give plenty of cheek again.

How to play it: Enterprise Private EACH WAY.

5. Monte Cruise resumed from a spell and justified favouritism to score a dominant win at Coffs Harbour, then ran third at Grafton again as favourite. She since bounced back with a strong Taree win and is racing well enough to be winning again.

Dangers: 2. Sparkingly hit the line well to win at Scone two starts ago when well in the market, then ran second at Grafton at his latest start. That form looks good for this event. 3. Everylittle Breeze was a winner at this track back in January. She’s had three runs back from a spell and has been behind the placings in each of them but has the talent to bounce back to form here. 4. Zoe Shark led when second here in January, and since then ran fourth at Muswellbrook before another second at Wyong. She’s had a trial leading into this and should be primed to perform well.

How to play it: Monte Cruise WIN

3. Wilderness Star led them up at Kempsey at her latest start before finishing midfield. She can race on the speed again from a good barrier and is worth another chance.

Dangers: 4. Lord Finland did the job well to score a strong win at Tamworth at double figures at his last start, and he only needs to have maintained that form to be a leading contender here. 5. Ausbred Cooee wasn’t beaten far when midfield at Taree at his last start and can be a chance here if anywhere near his best. 6. Hotzino wasn’t beaten far at Taree when resuming, then backed that up with a last start eighth at the same track. She has the talent to bounce back here.

How to play it: Wilderness Star EACH WAY.

3. Aye Aye Skipper looked good leading throughout to score at Coffs Harbour back in March, then resumed with an eighth at Grafton before a last start close-up fourth at Taree. He’s handy at best and a bold showing is on the cards.

Dangers: 5. Wandjad broke his maiden at start four when racing on the speed and fighting on too well to win at Taree. He can go forward again here and take plenty of running down. 8. Miss Arizona hasn’t been beaten far in each of her latest two starts and if she can run up to those efforts then she should figure in the thick of things again. 2. Chilling has won each of his latest two starts at Tamworth and Grafton and that form looks good enough to give this a shake.

How to play it: Aye Aye Skipper WIN.

1. Run Rory Run won at Coffs Harbour four starts ago, then was placed at Kempsey and Taree before finishing fifth at Kempsey last time out when only beaten just over one length. He’s drawn to advantage here and can bounce back to winning form.

Dangers: 2. Spirit Of Pluto was in form at the end of his last campaign with a placing at Quirindi being followed by a win at Armidale. He ran second at Armidale and Tamworth at his first two runs back, and comes into this on the back of a midfield Tamworth effort. 3. King Rupert was far from disgraced when midfield in a Highway at Rosehill behind Lonhro’s Queen, and this looks to be an easier event. 5. Monte Drifter won at big odds at Grafton three starts ago, then ran last at Coffs Harbour before a last start midfield Ipswich effort. He can be placed here.

How to play it: Run Rory Run WIN.

6. Laizabout looked good in a trial before debuting as a well backed favourite to score at Taree by a big margin. He looks to have plenty of ability and can go on with the job in this.

Dangers: 9. Hot Bandit has been placed in each of his latest two starts at Dubbo and Scone and looks to have the ability to give this a shake. 3. Simplicity was placed at Sandown two starts ago, and then debuted for the new stable with a last start eighth at Taree. She should be better for that run and can make an impact here. 1. Tigers Roar is a handy performer that was placed at Newcastle two starts ago and can figure here if at his best.

How to play it: Laizabout WIN.

Best Bets:
Race 5 (5) Monte Cruise.
Race 8 (1) Run Rory Run.

Best Value:
Race 4 (1) Enterprise Private.

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