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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 to soft track.

12. Pants On Fire has had four runs for the new stable and each have been sound. Beaten favourite last week at Wellington but tried hard and was close up. Drops 3.5kg and looks to have every chance.

Dangers: 2. Songbird Star is the big watch on debut for Cameron Crockett. Runner-up in a synthetic trial at Newcastle a couple of weeks ago, was hard ridden in the gallop but kept coming. Must respect. 13. Powerstone is fitter for two runs for the new yard and they’ve both been okay. No surprise to see her improve into the placings with the right run. 4. Almanac ran a much improved race at Orange last time, albeit on heavy, and has place claims.

How to play it: Pants On Fire WIN ($1.95 TAB Fixed Odds) Odds & Evens: EVENS.

Pants On Fire runs third at Wellington on May 1

3. Four O’Clock Knock is racing out of his grade but does look suited after being narrowly beaten at Wyong at his fourth start. Both recent seconds have been by small margins so a win isn’t far away and he has strong claims.

Dangers: 4. Hammoon Thunder won a Class 1 over a mile at this track before an on pace second at Newcastle over 1850m. Hard to fault of late and sure to give a good account. 7. Vaquero was no match for the winner at Orange last time but battled on to hold second on the heavy track. Might be looking for the extra ground and has each-way claims. 5. Successful Star has been a beaten favourite at her last two but was up 600m going into that last start third at Nowra. Can be around the mark again.

How to play it: Four O’Clock Knock WIN ($3.20 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Four O’Clock Knock runs second at Wyong on April 27

7. Master Right has the hoof right on the till with placings at Newcastle in both runs back. Just missed last time over this trip and carries the same weight for the drop to country grade. Entitled to be favourite and hard to beat.

Dangers: 12. Really Motivated could be a chance at odds, she’s been thereabouts in her three runs back and has winkers on first time. Each-way hopes. 4. Jamrock has been placed in all three starts to date up to a mile and 1400m fresh suits. Blinkers on and trialled twice, stablemate to the favourite. Keep in mind. 1. Aussie Pharoah was in the market on debut at Scone and led but weakened out. May improve here.

How to play it: Master Right WIN ($1.45 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Master Right runs second at Newcastle on April 22

1. Harlemite looked the goods leading all the way at Canberra at her second start and certainly wasn’t stopping at the finish. Expect she’ll roll forward again and should take some running down.

Dangers: 2. Ferro Vero has trialled just once and seemed to handle the occasion quite well running a close second at Muswellbrook almost a month ago. Watch market. 8. Give It A Nudge has trialled twice this time around and is set to debut on the back of a couple of even thirds in hitouts at Rosehill and Warwick Farm. Could easily show up. 10. Kickoff debuted at Gosford and was just fair but fitter and drawn well so open to improvement.

How to play it: Harlemite WIN ($4.00 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Harlemite wins at Canberra on April 21

10. Loud has the wide gate to overcome but should be able to get into a handy spot. Led them up and was nabbed in the last couple of strides at Canberra third-up, should be at peak and go close if he has early luck.

Dangers: 5. Thorpe has been a short priced favourite in his two seconds this time in. Drops nicely in weight on his second at Nowra a few weeks ago, draws well so has every chance. 4. Section Twenty was an easy winner at Wellington in maiden company before failing on a heavy track at Orange. Forgive that run and he could easily find himself in the finish with some luck. 7. Elegant Poetess has had a few chances but solid placing at Muswellbrook two back saw her start favourite there last time. Each-way.

How to play it: Loud WIN ($3.00 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Loud runs second at Canberra on April 21

10. Osman looks a real talent on the way up. Scored his fifth win when easily taking the Soldier’s Saddle at Bathurst third-up. Drawn to be right on the speed again and he’s the one they have to beat again.

Dangers: 3. Budhwar is an honest customer who led and boxed on in heavy ground at Wyong last time out to hold third. Won only start at this track and will put himself on the speed. Can’t leave him out. 5. Zouologist doesn’t win out of turn but has posted two wins in his past four so he’s in a purple patch of form. Led all the way at Narromine over 1300m last time and can show up. 12. Hit The Rim chased Zoulogist home last time out in a return to form since contesting the Country Championships series. Sure to be running on.

How to play it: Osman WIN ($1.70 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Osman wins at Bathurst on April 25

4. Lipstick Lil is an interesting runner resuming in new stable. She has a handy record and won her maiden at his track. Was first-up for a year when a solid fourth at Moruya two months ago. Moved well in recent trial. Keep safe.

Dangers: 5. Scarzel is enjoying a good prep and posted a deserved win at Armidale a month ago as favourite. Races forward so will have to offset the gate but sure to run well again. 1. Life Well Lived is likely the best horse in the race but resumes over the short trip from an eight month break. Won at this meeting last year over 1600m and while it’s short of his best trip he should be hitting the line fresh. 3. Driving Force won nicely here two starts back with a big weight then ran on okay into third at Narromine. If he holds his form he should be around the mark.

How to play it: Lipstick Lil E/W ($12 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Lipstick Lil runs second in a Narromine trial on April 20

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