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By Neil Evans

Track likely Soft 6 and rail True:

Testing maiden sprint to get us underway. Like improving four-year-old 2. Olimba to break through at his third start. Worked home late as a hot favourite just eight days ago, but gets a much softer run here on the map with the top jockey sticking, and the country stable is underrated.

Dangers: Local Stratum Star two-year-old 4. Bear's A Star debuts with a 2kg claim; and home tracker 13. Twin Seas deep into the prep; can add value into exotic plays.

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

This sets up a treat for Headwater colt and likely clear favourite 3. Remember Jack resuming for a second prep from the inside draw. Thrashed a handy country maiden field at second start last spring, and tuned up for this with a tidy open class trial win. The one to beat.

Dangers: Doubt there are any if the top selection jumps cleanly; but consistent home track three-year-old 1. Uncertain Terms off a dominant last start maiden win can run the quinella; while 5. Cavente first-up; and 7. Leopardi down in weight at his third start; are all worthy players in trifecta and first fours.

How to play it: Remember Jack to win and quinella 1 and 3
Odds and Evens: Split

Still over the five furlong journey, and another one drawn inside and by Headwater, five-year-old 1. Poita can put this field to the sword fifth-up. Has been finding the line from well off the speed all prep, placed in two of his last three carrying big weights, and with a much-needed 3kg claim here and settling a bit closer in the run, he can break a long drought out of the winner's circle.

Dangers: Keep safe 5. Robarge who hit the line late second-up off a nine week break, and draws to find a cosy trail; while provincial-based fillies 3. Jukebox Flyer down in class fourth-up; and 8. Mrs Ed who has won two of her last three at big odds; are both each-way chances.

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

Out to the mile now, and it shapes nicely for improving provincial-based filly 1. Yamba's Award despite disappointing in tougher company third-up. Failed to run home on a very heavy track at Wyong, but firmer ground here and stepping out to the mile now are big pluses. Draws to get cover around midfield.

Dangers: Watch for any money around home track mare 4. Flute Of Brut who can peak fourth-up out significantly in distance. Another one rising in trip at his fourth start, 3. A Dime Approach also comes in over the odds; while including home trackers 6. His First Lady fourth-up from the inside draw; and 12. Suncraft third-up; in exotic bets.

How to play it: Yamba's Award to win
Odds and Evens: Split

All aboard very capable mare 1. Darci Diva here deep into the prep, and dropping back from a strong CL3 Highway at Randwick. Had previously cruised home to win a country CL2 after tracking the speed, and is right at home in soft ground. Naturally back up in weight, but draws to get the right run, and has a touch of quality in this field.

Dangers: Progressive five-year-old 4. Swift Charm is a clear threat second-up after sweeping home to win a BM 58 before again solid to the line in a handy CL2 13 days ago. Gap to the rest headed by 6. She's Rewarding third-up and behind a fast-finishing CL1 win; while 3. Korubela Miss heads the rest also back from that same Highway after winning two straight up to country BM 66 level.

How to play it: Darci Diva to win
Odds and Evens: Split

Now for the feature race of the day, and keen on local four-year-old mare 8. That's Molly rising in grade fourth-up. Disappointing when failing to attack the line in weaker class a fortnight ago, but was $3.10 into $2.60 that day, and much more effective back on rain-affected ground here. Gets good weight relief after the claim.

Dangers: Tough provincial mare 3. She's Independent is on the cusp of another win fifth-up after only being collared in the last few strides at Wyong on a bog surface. Will roll forward from a handy gate, although just a query on her running out a strong seven furlongs. Honest mare 7. Inspiration is hard fit, and finished well to claim a BM 58, although tackling a better field here. Expecting sharp improvement fourth-up from 4. Foolish from a softer draw. Home track mare and last start BM 58 winner 9. Wokenwithakiss who draws to get plenty of cover; and 2. Buzz 'N' Joe with a superior jockey taking over; head the rest.

How to play it: That's Molly to win
Odds and Evens: Split

We finish with a tricky and weakened maiden. Contributer mare 12. Snapoutofit is well placed on debut behind two quiet trials for the leading provincial stable.

Dangers: At bigger odds, keep safe 1. Best Of Maher at third start with winkers added; while 3. Gold Something down in class with a key gear change; and 14. World Atlas third-up with blinkers off; can both run into the minor money.

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

BEST BETS:
R1 2. OLIMBA
R4 1. YAMBA'S AWARD

BEST VALUE:
R5 1. DARCI DIVA

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