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By Neil Evans

Track Heavy 10 and rail out 2m from 650m to 350m & true the remainder

Provincial mare 3. Lost Illusions is still progressing, and can make it two straight wins here well into the prep, and significantly on an eight day back-up. Ran home late to miss narrowly in a Super Maiden before relishing a bit more ground and returning to a bigger track, finishing best at Newcastle. Looks fairly placed at the weights again after the claim, and the extra trip is timely plus.

Dangers: Home tracker 4. Otium has charged home to beat all bar the winner in his last two, and is desperate now for this longer trip. Another local and last start winner in similar company 2. Seething Chuck; and wet tracker 1. Strobing deep into the prep; can fight for the minor money.

How to play it: Lost Illusions to win

Moderate lineup here augurs well for lightly raced five-year-old 2. Cluster's General who is ready to break through third-up off a month-long freshen. Has done his best work late in consecutive Super Maidens, and carrying half kilo less here in a race with less depth, emerges as the one to beat.

Dangers: Watch the betting on resuming provincial mare 3. Alice Mae behind two trials. Was scratched from Newcastle on Thursday to be saved for this. Locally trained 6. Uncut Gem can peak third-up with key gear changes in play; while 4. Miss Moov trained on the track and coming through that same formlime as the top selection; is the best of the rest.

How to play it: Cluster's General to win

Resuming for a second prep, 4. Angelinthenightsky is good value in a weak race. Hasn't publicly trialled, but reportedly working well enough, and the stable is capable of striking fresh.

Dangers: 9. Romi can utilise tactical speed from the inside draw; while home tracker 11. Highly Tempted can improve sharply second-up. Gap to the rest

How to play it: Angelinthenightsky to win

Same sprint journey here for the higher graded gallopers, and it shapes ideally at good odds for provincial-based 2. Lady Shenanigans back from provincial company 15 days between runs. Found the line well in his last two at Hawkesbury, and further advantaged back on the heavy ground.

Dangers: Tough 1. Time For Victory ran home hard from well back, resuming in deeper grade, and has a very solid record on rain-affected ground. Capable 5. Buck Pharoah flew home to win a weaker country grade second-up, and while there's more depth here, gets a significant 5.5kg weight drop from the inside barrier. Keep safe 6. De Poet second-up; while 8. Zoom Outcome mixes his form, yet is also a big market watch rising in grade but down in weight, with three of his four career wins coming in heavy going.

How to play it: Lady Shenanigans to win

Improving provincial mare 12. Perri Lass is set to peak getting out to this distance third-up on a class drop. Worked home okay in a handy country maiden before fair from the back in a deeper affair at Wyong. Desperate for the extra trip now.

Dangers: Honest 3. No Tackle hasn't finished further back than second in his last three, including a fighting maiden win, and again draws to get a soft run right behind the speed. Watch for 6. Durusehvar, finishing hard, is very fit and well treated at the weights after the 2kg claim. 2. Killzy is on another quick back-up, although took a long time to get mobile from the back last start, but blinkers back on may provide a spark. Include 7. Intoxication with winkers back on; and at big odds 11. Rebel One in trifecta and first four plays.

How to play it: Perri Lass to win

Not much between the main contenders here, but home tracker 4. Bear's A Star emerges as the superior value second-up. Sat on speed before fading late at Kempsey, but that was his first outing in nearly eights months. Fitter now with gear changes, and sneaking down in the weights after the jockey's claim, he's primed to score.

Dangers: Watch the betting on lightly raced 5. Kevin McKeen resuming off a lengthy break and easy trial. 6. Aquafire comes back in distance a month between runs; while both 7. Miss Mazerati second-up; and 8. Deephar well into the prep; can figure in the minor money at good odds.

How to play it: Bear's A Star to win

Locally trained five-year-old 9. Golden Honour can upset this feature line-up deep into his prep. Finished comfortably to win two straight in weaker class before closing off okay under a big weight in a BM 58 at Kempsey. Naturally taking on some smarter ones here, but two of his three career wins have come in heavy going, gets a hefty 5kg weight drop for the rise in grade, and this is his best trip.

Dangers: Big watch on 4. Baglioni who did his best work late from a mile back in a BM 92 at Coffs, and clearly at his best on rain-affected ground. Resuming 1. Baltic Coast has been fitted with two provincial trials up to 1250m, and regularly took on tougher opposition last prep; while 6. Auzstar has been sparingly raced this prep, and is the best of the rest.

How to play it: Golden Honour each way

Consistent and hard fit 3. Talma I Love Her has found one better in his last couple up to this class, and can strike here on preferred heavy ground in a modest affair.

Dangers: 4. Royal Teens comes back in grade third-up; and 6. Lord Akomeed is also advantaged in heavy going.

How to play it: Talma I Love Her to win

BEST BETS:
R1 3. LOST ILLUSIONS
R8 3. TALMA I LOVE HER

BEST VALUE:
R5 12. PERRI LASS

All the fields, form and replays for Friday's Taree meeting