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By Neil Evans

Track improving to around Soft 5 and rail out 3m

Hard fit four-year-old 6. Rainbow Man is the one to beat fifth-up. Has been hitting the line in some deeper maidens, just needs to tuck in from the wide gate.

Dangers: Improving filly 7. Sarcophagus can figure fourth-up with blinkers added after being caught wide last start; while Coffs three-year-old 8. Super Ted is on the next line.

How to play it: Rainbow Man to win. Odds and Evens: Split

A more competitive affair here. Deep into his first prep, three-year-old 1. Apache Red is primed to break through. Has finished right on the heels of some handy winners in his last three, and the set weight conditions are a big plus.

Dangers: Progressive three-year-old and ex-Victorian 3. Luz Long got going late in the heavy in a stronger maiden at Coffs, and has drawn to get a nice run just off the speed. Trainer has significantly removed the blinkers. Keep safe 6. Sir Bawn who is drawn wide, but another one who has been working to the line well enough in deeper races; while 12. Scanlan hit the line from a long way back on debut at Scone.

How to play it: Apache Red to win, Odds and Evens: Odds

Apache Red runs third at Tamworth on April 23

Back to the shorter course, and there are many chances. Liked the trial of resuming three-year-old 1. Flying Scotsman who sat behind a good speed and worked home nicely, although was ridden out from the 250m. Drops in quality for the start of a second prep, and draws to get a handy trail.

Dangers: Local filly 7. Chelsea Magic can improve enough to break through fourth-up with blinkers added. Has enough tactical speed to overcome a wide draw. It's taken a long time and plenty of trials to get Scone-based Swiss Ace filly 4. Montelvini to the races, but her latest effort when over-racing early was sound enough to suggest she's over the odds on debut.

How to play it: Flying Scotsman to win and box exacta 1,4,7. Odds and Evens: Odds

Improving provincial three-year-old 6. Sian can strike second-up in a thinner race over an ideal distance. Worked home fairly resuming in a good quality Class 1, and the second horse from that race then beat a handy field at Wyong last Thursday.

Dangers: Tough and fit six-year-old 2. Texas Storm is the logical threat from the inside draw. Charged late in heavy going to win a CL3 here two starts back, and has only missed a place twice from eight starts on his home track. Include in exotics 5. Jakuta who won a similar race two runs back at big odds; and 9. Greenskeeper who can figure down in weight second-up.

How to play it: Sian to win. Odds and Evens: Evens

Plenty of chances in this dash as well headed by resuming filly 8. Black Jacamar who has been fitted with two solid trials in good company. Jumped favourite in only two starts last spring, winning second-up in convincing fashion.

Dangers: Keep very safe progressive and lightly raced filly 4. Oh Say who swept home for a handy maiden win third-up, and again is drawn to get the right trail off the speed. Big watch on Scone three-year-old 6. Splasher third-up from the inside gate off two improving runs. Another filly on the rise 9. Exotic Enterprise was dominant from the front off a five week break at Dubbo when heavily backed, and can drive forward again from the same barrier; while 1. Hay John is over the odds third-up with blinkers added.

How to play it: Black Jacamar to win and box trifecta 4,6,8,9. Odds and Evens: Evens

Keen on four-year-old mare 2. Sophie's Lass down in grade third-up. Resumed with a strong all-the-way CL2 win before sticking on well enough in a provincial BM 64, and sharp weight rise off-set with a 1.5kg claim.

Dangers: Ex-Victorian mare 3. Beauty Betty resumes for a new Scone stable. Showed plenty of promise winning twice early in her career before finding stronger metro company too tough. Will need to find a spot from the widest gate, but looked strong in a recent open class trial. Local filly and last start winner 6. Outreach Belle is consistent, and has enough tactical speed to overcome a wide barrier. Keep safe 10. Tequila Cabos at her third start from a better draw.

How to play it: Sophie's Lass to win. Odds and Evens: Split

Even battle to finish. Loved the way progressive provincial three-year-old 7. Too Good To Be Tru overcame a tricky draw in a Class 1 to sweep home in dominant fashion. This is tougher, but he's got bigger fish to fry in only his second prep, and leading rider sticks.

Dangers: Progressive four-year-old 1. Atherton resumes off two forward trials, and expected to fire early despite the big weight. Lightly raced six-year-old 4. Kid Galahad has returned in good shape, winning easily first-up before only collared in the last stride in a thinner race. Watch the betting on provincial mare 5. Whatsin who resumes off two quiet trials.

How to play it: Too Good To Be Tru to win. Odds and Evens: Odds

Too Good To Be Tru wins at Port Macquarie on April 16

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