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By Neil Evans

Track likely improving to Soft 6 and rail out 5m

We start over the middle distance on an improving surface. This shapes nicely for provincial filly 2. Oakfield Redgum who is primed to break through fourth-up in her first real prep, with blinkers being added. Has hit the line late from well back in her last two, and the extra trip is a natural plus being by renowned staying sire Dundeel. Main early market rival was preferred at Forbes on Sunday to this.

Dangers: Gap to the rest headed by 10. My Water Lilly who is hard fit and drops in weight; while expecting sharp improvement at second start from provincial filly 7. Giddy Gan's Joy with winkers going on.

How to play it: Oakfield Redgum to win
Odds and Evens: Evens

Progressive and consistent five-year-old 2. Hypnosis is desperate for this longer trip now after hitting the line well in consecutive runs back over 900m. Has been placed in all six runs so far on soft ground, and is very fairly weighted in a race with less depth.

Dangers: Improving mare 8. Queen Of Elegance is well placed third-up, with a far superior and stronger rider booked; while both honest mare 7. Parties Galore second-up; and French-sired provincial filly 10. Lady Townson on debut behind two steady trials; can run into the minor end of the money.

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

A more open maiden here again at set weights. Like progressive home track filly 10. Agirlsbestfriend at her third start after hitting the line hard from well back in a better maiden than this.

Dangers: Rival local 7. Our Kiwi Princess will find this a little easier fifth-up; while 5. Kirameki who resumes for a second prep behind two trials; and 12. Oojah Capow with an important gear change if he gets a start; head the rest.

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

Speed comes from out wide, with a few first starters on show, and that augurs well for one of them, promising four-year-old debutant 3. Oakfield Triumph who can park just off and go home best. Sat behind the leaders before dashing through to win the latest of two trials by nearly four lengths, and top country jockey sticks for the real thing.

Dangers: Local four-year-old 2. Heir Apparent has his first run at the track, with multiple gear changes, since switching from Victoria. Underrated mare 12. Astern's Girl resumes off a long break behind two solid trials for a good provincial yard; while watching the betting at big odds on stablemate Winning Rupert four-year-old 4. Windani who finally debuts having been taken along slowly at the trials.

How to play it: Oakfield Triumph to win
Odds and Evens: Split

Lightly raced home track mare 8. Wannawinwin resumes without publicly trialling, but is in good hands. Her only win so far came at this track, and this is a weak race.

Dangers: Keep watch on 4. Mr Pointer who is on a nine day back-up and likes soft ground; while 1. Barney Rabble third-up; 7. Offyarocatwo resuming; and home track mare 9. Grandellie who is hard fit; all go into exotic bets.

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

Tough and open battles with many chances. Lightly raced provincial mare 6. Fairey Barracuda is hardly consistent, but she has more than enough ability to strike here fourth-up. Thrashed a handy provincial maiden field fresh before closing off late in her last two. Likes it soft, and drawn to sit a bit closer here.

Dangers: Keep safe provincial five-year-old 7. Oakfield Warpaint who will find this easier fifth-up but threatens to go around under the odds drawn off the track. Both 8. Full Press third-up; and 2. Ultimate Man who has been tackling tougher grades on the North Coast; can run into a place; whilst watching for nine-year-old 4. Up The Stairs to charge home late second-up.

How to play it: Fairey Barracuda to win and first four 6,7/2,4,6,7,8/2,4,6,7,8/2,4,6,7,8
Odds and Evens: Split

Tough provincial mare 1. Bullinaschinaship is the one to beat significantly down in class fourth-up. Was collared late by a smart one in heavy ground here two starts back before just even through the line at Scone in stronger Class 3 company. Maps to sit just off the speed, and big weight off-set by junior rider's 3kg claim.

Dangers: Keep safe progressive mare 3. Awesome Miss who draws wide, but comes off a strong barrier-to-box Class 1 win in heavy ground. Included in exotic bets resuming 4. Preghero who won on debut in January; and 6. Cotton Caper who rattled home to win first-up at big odds.

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

We ride home with progressive provincial mare 4. Tequila Cabos who can land second-up. Went to the front and held on well in a much deeper provincial grade, and from a wider draw here can settle a bit further back, and produce a telling finishing sprint. Looks well weighted considering she was placed in provincial BM 68 grade last prep.

Dangers: Big watch on 3. So Good So Cool who charged home late behind the winner first-up in a slightly weaker grade. Big gap to the rest headed by 2. Shirazzle who resumes.

How to play it: Tequila Cabos to win
Odds and Evens: Split

BEST BETS:
R1 2. OAKFIELD REDGUM
R7 1. BULLINACHINASHOP

BEST VALUE:
R6 6. FAIREY BARRACUDA

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