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By Neil Evans

Track Heavy 10 and rail out 3m from 800m to WP & True the remainder:

We start over the longest journey on a track that will likely slip well back into soft range with plenty of rain in the lead-up. A few chances here in a moderately run battle of tactics, but no better value than four-year-old 4. Royal Affair who crucially gets back up to the distance she won easily over two starts ago when leading all the way. Gets back down in weight for this, with a much stronger rider taking over.

Dangers: Consistent and honest mare 6. Sure Strategy enjoys rain-affected ground, and only been out of a place once in her last four. Obvious watch too on 3. Thieve who scored at the provincials two starts back before failing in much tougher CL4 provincial company 11 days ago. Both 5. For Da Boys deep into his prep; and 7. Port Of Jeddah who gets in with a light weight after the claim; can run into the minor end of the money.

How to play it: Royal Affair to win and trifecta 3,4,6/3,4,5,6,7/3,4,5,6,7
Odds and Evens: Split

In a tricky race, like progressive provincial mare 10. Miss Shalaa second-up. Went down narrowly when resuming off a near seven month spell in Soft 7 ground; and drawn to get the outside from off the speed.

Dangers: Big market watch on 11. Akauwheo who got through the line well on debut at the provincials on a near bottomless track; while 6. Tyquendo showed good improvement a fortnight ago; and top country jockey sticks.

How to play it: Miss Shalaa to win
Odds and Evens: Split

Same set-up here, and it sets up well now for promising filly 14. Willinga Karisma has been beaten under a length in all three runs to start her career. Bred to perform on heavy ground, and drawn to stay out of trouble getting to the middle of the track.

Dangers: Watch the betting closely with metro raider 8. Mickey's Pride who hit the line in a handy provincial maiden on debut, and reportedly has trained on well. Included in wider exotics 5. The Wanderer second-up; and 13. Missile Moove fourth-up and getting back down in weight.

How to play it: Willinga Karisma to win
Odds and Evens: Split

Tough and weakened sprint for the maidens. Like Outreach three-year-old 4. Outback Ringer who debuts behind three recent trials, strong through the line winning the latest in Soft 7 going.

Dangers: Trained on the track, 7. Valoria resumes for a second prep off two steady trials; while resuming 16. Sunny Side Up; and at bigger odds debutant Tivaci gelding 3. Hammoon Thunder also trained here; go in exotic bets.

How to play it: Outback Ringer to win
Odds and Evens: Split

Always very competitive betting races at this level over the short course. The blinkers back on can pay dividends for speedy provincial four-year-old 6. Sharkim who draws out. Thrives on rain-affected ground, and jockey change is significant.

Dangers: Talented 7. Paradise Island has been close-up in two runs back from a break, and draws to get cover. while 1. Reveal The Magic dropping back from Highway class second-up; and 10. No Baby No reloading off an eight week break, head the rest.

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

Very open affair for the girls in a Heat of the Rising Star. Like promising and lightly raced local four-year-old 6. Mauricette who can go back-to-back, and ultimately win much better races. Charged home from well back on debut at the 'brook before parking closer and surging past for a comfortable breakthrough win 13 days ago significantly on a very heavy surface. Well capable of taking this next step despite being drawn off the track, and should settle well off the fence, and be given plenty of time to round them up.

Dangers: Keep safe improving four-year-old 8. Really Serious who peaks third-up over more ground. Never undersell tough 10. Bridges To Babylon who has been right behind the winner in her last two, and thrives on soft and heavy tracks. Included in exotic bets 7. Myeyesadoreyou who was strong late resuming at the provincials, although inside draw may not do her any favors if the track is heavily downgraded; and 14. Little Bit Yours who is hard fit and drawn to get the outside.

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

Keen on metro-based mare 13. Savanaci who can peak over more ground at her fourth start in a race severely weakened by scratchings, including the withdrawal of the early short-priced favourite. Has been working to the line well against deeper opposition than this, and dropping down to the limit weight on a big and spacious track now is ideal.

Dangers: Improving filly 14. Yamba's Award is the clear threat getting up to the mile at third start, and bred to react in heavy going; while home track mare 12. Kaisa heads the rest, second-up.

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

Plenty of chances in this. Progressive home tracker 1. Hardy powered home to just miss in a CL1 at the 'brook two starts back before again a good thing licked when close-up in a provincial CL2 24 days ago. Drawn out which won't concern her racing pattern, and afford some weight relief after the claim.

Dangers: Improving 10. Sapello comes off a fast-finishing fourth-up win in weaker company; while 11. Shen Gui who loves wet ground; and 13. Fabulous Choice off a second-up maiden win at big odds; are capable of running into the finish.

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

A good class sprint to bring us home, with a stack of chances. Progressive five-year-old 1. Mystery Lad is building a nice record having won two straight up to a provincial CL2 when leading all the way before doing his best work late in deeper Highway company 13 days ago. With the junior rider's 3kg allowance, he looks well placed to bounce back here in suitable conditions.

Dangers: Lightly raced and talented three-year-old 10. Demitasse impressed with a dominant first-up win from off the speed as a hot favourite, and looms as the one who will go on to win the bigger races. Included in exotics improving 8. Just Reach third-up and down in weight off a dominant win in weaker company; and 4. Proverbial peaking fourth-up; while at big odds keep watch on resuming six-year-old 5. Danza In The Dark who typically resumes with no official trials, but comes to hand quickly and gets through rain-affected going.

How to play it: Mystery Lad to win
Odds and Evens: Split

BEST BETS:
R1 4. ROYAL AFFAIR
R7 13. SAVANACI

BEST VALUE:
R6 6. MAURICETTE

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