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By Neil Evans

Track Good 4 and rail out 5.5m from 600m to WP & 4.5m the remainder:

Like home track debutant three-year-old 10. Hotfoot Performer who has trialled well for what is now a very weakened race.

Dangers: Rival local 12. State Of Awe has also trialled okay; while 5. Russian Inn is the best of the rest.

How to play it: Hotfoot Performer to win

Gold Coast-based four-year-old 2. Saddles gets his chance resuming behind two solid trials, just has to slot in from a wide barrier.

Dangers: Keep safe 3. Gleaming Legend who is also well placed getting on to a bigger track after doing his best work late at Ipswich 24 days ago. At each-way odds 7. Young Pip has been in and around the money over the border all prep; while ex-Victorian 8. Irish Knight is a watch first-up for the new stable at big odds with gear changes.

How to play it: Saddles to win

Another open and very tough maiden over further, especially with some of the early fancies drawn wide. That gives emerging Ballina three-year-old 12. Mofeed a map advantage. Hit the line from a long way back on debut here, and the extra journey is a natural plus settling a bit closer this time from a low draw.

Dangers: Plenty of them headed by improving 11. Transition who has shown steady improvement across three runs to start her career, and draws the inside. Watch the betting too on 13. Good Kitty who is hard fit and has enough early speed to overcome a wide barrier, and the Bobby's Kitten stock are going well. Improving 1. Among Us; and tough 2. Filthy Rich who has been close-up in his last three starts; can both run into the minor money.

How to play it: Mofeed to win

Ballina four-year-old 4. Burnt Butter can go back-to-back after landing that overdue and deserved maiden win 20 days ago. Should find a similar trailing spot from the same draw right behind the speed, and like him staying at the trip in a race that isn't much harder.

Dangers: Improving mare 2. Adelaide Fever was unwanted in betting fresh, but still boxed on for a long way in front. Fitter now and with the leading country jockey taking over, she's right in the battle. So too is local mare 1. Lady Tulessa who has led and won twice here in this grade either side of a narrow second placing, but again asked to get across from a wide draw. Gap to the rest.

How to play it: Burnt Butter to win

Resuming for his second full prep, Headwater three-year-old 8. North Of Eli can pounce fresh. Swept home to win his maiden at this track at only second start before tackling very handy two-year-old metro opposition. Returns off two progressive trials, winning the latest in smart fashion.

Dangers: Eagle Farm-based 3. Sir Carter is much better placed here fourth-up after weakening out at the Sunny Coast over further 22 days ago; while 10. Galaxy Ruler can run into the money third-up.

How to play it: North Of Eli each way

Rarely is there much between the leading contenders at this level, although can't go past talented Ballina five-year-old 3. Nickelback fourth-up. Was well backed before stalking the speed and going home best in a country CL3 before running home strong behind two smart ones in tougher Highway grade at Rosehill. That reads very well for this carrying only 1.5kg more, and draws to get cover.

Dangers: Drawn right alongside, sparingly raced local 7. Tigertude can mount a challenge third-up dropping sharply in weight for the rise in class. With enough speed up front, 5. Kennysing will be running home, and has been very competitive in similar graded races. Plenty to like as well about the last couple of wins from 9. Revontulet in weaker grade, the latest charging home to claim a BM 58, and is a stablemate of the top selection. Last start third-up BM 60 winner 2. Bahamut and 4. Orleans Rock resuming from the inside draw; both go in trifecta and first four plays.

How to play it: Nickelback to win

Moderate and tricky sprint here, but lightly raced three-year-old 8. Sparkle Motion can make a statement fresh for the Matthew Dunn yard behind two improving trials. Thrashed his opposition back in mid May to break the maiden at third start before spelling.

Dangers: Nomadic and lightly raced mare 10. Rock Together can figure second-up and five weeks between runs via a quiet trial. Gold Coast-based 7. Redsnap has hit the line late in two progressive runs up to CL3 level this prep after being transferred up from Victoria. Include 3. My Odette in all exotics drawn wide, but dropping down from a tough metro company over the border.

How to play it: Sparkle Motion to win

Another progressive one from the Dunn stable, lightly raced five-year-old 2. I Am Good At This is starting to honour the name he was given. Finished close-up in the money in consecutive runs either side of the border before sweeping home for an effortless maiden win as a hot favorite 18 days ago. Extra ground and top jockey hopping aboard are further plusses to say he's the one to beat.

Dangers: Behind three improving runs in Qld, 7. Soarhi looms as the main threat; while despite a tough and wide draw, 1. Captain Underpantz is over the odds fourth-up, with winkers coming off. Include 4. Ocean Shores second-up and dropping back from the deeper Casino Cup.

How to play it: I Am Good At This

BEST BETS:
R3 12. MOFEED
R6 3. NICKELBACK

BEST VALUE:
R5 8. NORTH OF ELI

All the entries, form and replays for Monday's Grafton meeting