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By Neil Evans

Track Soft 5 and rail True.

The maiden sprinters get us rolling, and there's not much between a few of these. Settled on Nicconi three-year-old 3. Shikanic who returns off a six month spell for only his second start. Put down a big marker sailing away to win a soft track trial by more than three lengths.

Dangers: Improving three-year-old 2. Just Strolling is right in this having narrowly missed in a much better race first-up. Keep safe consistent filly 4. Bootscooter who resumes without having officially trialed, but was never beaten far in four competitive runs last prep; while well bred filly 9. Hubie Dubie hit the line after being ridden quieter last start and is well in the mix over a bit more ground.

How to play it: Shikanic to win
Odds and Evens: Split

Tricky race with a few chances. Honest four-year-old 2. Dobbin will need some early luck from the wide draw, but he trialled well and stable has a smart fresh record.

Dangers: Consistent mare 14. Velvet Star has been placed all three runs this prep when well in the market, and sneaks out over a bit more ground. Watch the betting on Kiwi bred stablemate filly 6. Righteous Feeling who resumes for just her second start behind a quiet trial, with a few key gear changes.

How to play it: Dobbin to win
Odds and Evens: Evens

Tough one again. Progressive four-year-old 1. Outburst can make it two wins from his last three, and take the winning strike rate to 40 per cent from eight starts. Tracked the speed before winning narrowly at Scone, then worked home late in deeper provincial company behind a smart winner who won easily again on Saturday. Was tackling black-type Listed grade as a young horse.

Dangers: The market should be a solid indicator with 4. Playing For Keeps who has easily won his last two in weaker company, and continues to step up in trip. Another one taking on stronger is 5. Noble Cause who finished best to claim a BM 50 third-up; as does home track mare 6. Bring The Joy who also won a similar graded affair here four weeks back. Included in exotics tough finisher 7. Bridges To Babylon who has only missed a place once in her last four.

How to play it: Outburst to win
Odds and Evens: Split

Keen here on tough and progressive Tamworth mare 4. Strelitzia who continues to improve, and can claim a second win in three starts. Finished like a train to land a CL1 before again doing her best work late up to CL2 level. Should be right at her peak now, and sneaks a touch further down in the weights.

Dangers: US-bred five-year-old 1. Knife's Edge rubbed stamped some strong improvement by thrashing a Class 1 field a fortnight back sweeping home from midfield. Drops sharply back in distance, but gets right back in the contest at the weights after the rider's 4kg allowance, and nothing will be finishing stronger. Was scratched from Newcastle on Saturday to be saved for this. Lightly raced three-year-old 2. Silver City steps up in grade and distance after driving late to win a handy CL1 first-up. Included in exotics 5. Await The Storm fourth-up.

How to play it: Strelitzia each way and trifecta 1,2,4/1,2,4,5/1,2,4,5
Odds and Evens: Split

Good race for this grade. Promising four-year-old 1. Fiendish can make it two straight on his way to better races. Swept home from midfield for a dominant maiden win as a hot favourite second-up, and only has to tuck in from the wide gate here to be the one to beat.

Dangers: Tough mare 3. Running Bear likes to sit on speed and keep going. Has been in the placings last four runs, and form country jockey takes over. Another progressive hope 4. Anselmo comes off a smart fourth-up maiden win collaring a very handy galloper who then won easy next start. Rarely runs a bad one, and from a good trailing draw should be in the finish.

How to play it: Fiendish to win and box exacta 1,3,4
Odds and Evens: Split

Another very handy restricted affair, with good depth and plenty of chances. Underrated four-year-old mare 7. Spritza Seritza was terrific from a wide barrier finishing hard into a place in a good quality CL1 14 days ago, and that winner is a big chance in an earlier race. Draws to show her best where she can be tucked away with cover, and saved up for a big final 400m.

Dangers: Keep safe improving four-year-old 9. Prince Akeem who hit the line from a mile back in the same race as the top selection; while 3. Hurn Court is fourth-up from a soft draw.

How to play it: Spritza Seritza to win
Odds and Evens: Odds

It doesn't get much easier in the closer over the sprint trip. Like the placement of talented filly 2. One Penny resuming for a third prep and only sixth start if she starts here rather than at Taree. Showed handy tactical speed winning both times late last year before being spelled, and looks tuned up for a big return via a nice trial.

Dangers: Plenty of them headed by progressive three-year-old 5. All I Wish For who can strike second-up in a weaker race at big odds. Expecting a big run fresh from 9. In Spades despite drawing in the carpark after bolting in a recent trial. Keep safe both 11. Shooting Zaa who has been in the money all three runs this prep; and 4. Don't Cry Mama who can improve sharply after four runs back.

How to play it: One Penny to win
Odds and Evens: Split

BEST BETS:
R3 1. OUTBURST
R5 1. FIENDISH

BEST VALUE:
R6 7. SPRITZA SERITZA

All the fields, form and replays for Monday's Gunnedah meeting