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By Ray Hickson

Tips and race by race preview by Ray Hickson for Sunday’s Mudgee meeting. Selections based on a good track.

4. Sanzeno went down as a $1.28 favourite at his first run for the new stable but he certainly wasn’t disgraced in a close finish with the winner getting up along the inside. Blinkers go on, fitter and looks well placed to go one better.

Dangers: 3. Lanwar attacked the line strongly late to be runner-up at Narromine over 1100m. Onto a good track now and up another 100m. Sure to be hitting the line again. 5. The Hoff is a 27 start maiden but is usually not too far off the mark. Fourth in the same race as Lanwar and is capable of a placing. 7. Just Joan has to run out the 1200m but gets that chance back on top of the ground after a fair fourth over 800m at Narromine.

How to play it: Sanzeno WIN ($1.70 TAB Fixed Odds).

Sanzeno runs second at Tamworth on June 21

4. Junebug has handled the step up in trip well since winning first-up and while beaten favourite at Goulburn last time she was rising 645m. So better for that run and no worries with a good track. Should run well.

Dangers: 1. Weave That Web has to transfer her form from heavy tracks to a better surface but she’s racing so well there’s every chance she will. Down 1.5kg after the claim on her Dubbo win last week and stays under notice. 6. Majorian got the job done second-up at this trip at Queanbeyan when a solid favourite. Perhaps a little more depth here but only had the seven starts and can’t be overlooked. 3. Raiding can mix her form a bit but she doesn’t appear to relish heavy ground so could be an improver on her last effort behind Weave That Web.

How to play it: Junebug WIN ($3.10 TAB Fixed Odds).

Junebug runs second at Goulburn on June 21

3. Kings Castle is a big watch at his debut for the Bjorn Baker satble. Imported gelding with a couple of trials under his belt, a soft draw and a claim. Any support would be significant as the rest of the field are well exposed.

Dangers: 6. Rathoran hasn’t done a lot wrong this time in with two placings from three runs and he was beaten narrowly when third at Tamworth two weeks ago. Might need a touch of luck from the gate but if he holds form he’s in the finish. 1. Warilla Gorilla comes off a forgive run first-up at Scone a month ago where he blew the start. Since trialled and entitled to another chance. 5. Divine Belle has strung three placings on end together and was game dropping from the mile to 1100m last time. This trip ideal and she’s a definite chance.

How to play it: Kings Castle EACH-WAY ($11 TAB Fixed Odds).

Kings Castle’s latest trial at Rosehill on June 21

3. Musical Affair will look to lead and if she does she’ll take plenty of running down back onto her home track. Run down as a solid favourite at Gunnedah last week over 1400m but should be harder to beat down in grade.

Dangers: 6. British Statesman is also a noted on pacer and he led all the way to win at Narromine on a heavy track two weeks ago. If he happens to lead then he’ll take some catching in his own right. 9. Foxwell won nicely on a good track at Gunnedah before backing it up at Dubbo a few weeks ago. Has to step up in class again but hard to fault the way he’s heading. 10. Minnewater has found one better in two runs back and comes up with a wide gate here. If she can find a spot she has a case to be somewhere in the finish.

How to play it: Musical Affair WIN ($2.60 TAB Fixed Odds).

Musical Affair runs second at Gunnedah on July 1

4. Amicus Curiae is easy to like here on his home track after a big effort to run second at Tamworth two weeks ago second-up. Gave away too much start and was beaten by a handy one. Distance holds no fears and he should take beating.

Dangers: 1. From The Bush ran his best race for a little while when placed at Hawkesbury last time. It was expected given his place in the market so if he can hold his form now then he’ll be a big chance to break through. 10. Fletchlo made some late ground at Narromine to run second in a much improved effort on his previous couple. Firmer track is a plus for him and he can’t be ignored. 12. Mazita ran well in Highway company last prep and resumes at a suitable trip with two trials in June under her belt. Could show up.

How to play it: Amicus Curiae WIN ($3.10 TAB Fixed Odds).

Amicus Curiae runs second at Tamworth on June 28

3. Ensign Parker will appreciate coming back in grade after a couple of solid efforts in Highway company including an even fifth to Know Thyself last time. Draws okay and a firmer track is in his favour so expect him to be a major player.

Dangers: 1. Medinah has a big weight and wide alley to contend with but is an honest gelding resuming and is more than capable of showing up fresh with a bit of luck. Note his second-up record is solid so he’ll improve on whatever he does. 5. Bliss dropped in trip from her first-up placing at Parkes to hold her ground well at Dubbo over 1000m. Has won twice at this trip so more than capable of being competitive. 9. Smart Shot has been around the mark without winning and found the line nicely in a close fourth at Scone third-up. Should be at peak now and has a case.

How to play it: Ensign Parker WIN ($3.60 TAB Fixed Odds).

Ensign Parker’s last start at Rosehill on June 15

2. Pins And Needles should relish getting back on top of the ground after two runs back on wet tracks. If she can find her form from last prep which saw her win at Newcastle and place at Gosford at this trip then she’s a chance to bounce back.

Dangers: 8. Grand Oyster comes into this on the back of a smart maiden win at Narromine when a well supported favourite. Has a wide gate to contend with here but she’s the one on the way up. 3. Big Wandji was a maiden winner in April on a good track and hasn’t raced since a close up fourth at Wellington some five weeks ago. Since trialled and if he finds a spot on speed could take running down. 9. Tincity was a drifter in betting on debut at Wagga and proved too strong coming from just off the pace. Worth keeping in mind.

How to play it: Pins And Needles WIN ($6.00 TAB Fixed Odds).

Pins And Needles’ last start at Hawkesbury on June 25

All the fields, form and replays for Sunday’s Mudgee meeting