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By Neil Evans

Track is a Heavy 9 with the rail out 2m the entire circuit.

We start an open meeting with the maidens on a track that is unlikely to get out of heavy range. Progressive four-year-old and ex-Victorian 5. Mr Eighty Eight ($2 favourite on TAB) is ready to win third-up for the new local stable. Has been right on the winner's heels in two runs on rain-affected going here and can peak sneaking down under the set weight minimum after the rider's 3kg claim.

Dangers: Provincial three-year-old 4. Mahomes ($9) continues to improve working home well in a handy maiden third-up, but does rise sharply in weight. Fiorente four-year-old 8. Prince Six ($4.80) didn't fire a shot second-up in tougher provincial grade but this is weaker and blinkers have been removed; while improving filly 10. At Midnight ($6) gets up to the mile at her third start.

How to play it: Mr Eighty Eight to win
Odds and Evens: Split

Tough race. Liked the recent trial of provincial Bull Point filly 9. Bullinachinashop ($3.10 fav) who was strong through the line. On debut for an in-form trainer/jockey combination and can overcome the outside barrier.

Dangers: Improving three-year-old 1. Gigastar ($3.60) will find this easier third-up, and was scratched from Dubbo on Sunday to run here. Panzer Division two-year-old 6. Wardaddy ($5.50) debuts in blinkers off an easy provincial trial. Provincial filly 4. Falreine ($7) is much better suited here second-up after failing to finish off at Hawkesbury.

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

Progressive filly 9. Just Like Lisa ($2.40 fav) got a mile back second-up off a long break at Port before charging home just behind the placegetters. Ideally looking for further but as long she's not too far off them at the 600m can mow them down with interest.

Dangers: Under-rated provincial mare 7. Candy Pants ($10) is steadily closing in on a win and 1. Baxter ($3.40) resumes behind a nice trial but draws off the track.

How to play it: Just Like Lisa to win
Odds and Evens: Odds

This shapes up nicely for under-rated five-year-old 9. Swordsman ($4.20) from a good draw. Has only missed a place once from four starts this prep against some smarter opposition and his only win so far came on a heavy track.

Dangers: Local three-year-old 3. Zaru ($2.70 fav) finally broke the run of near misses and bad luck clinging on to win his maiden here second-up. Has natural speed and well in at the weights with blinkers removed, but a big query running out the extra 250m. Unpredictable five-year-old 2. The Fossil ($3.90) has been mixing his form generally in better company. Gelded three-year-old and ex-Victorian 1. Future Idea ($12) is a big market watch having his first run in more than 10 months for a new country stable; while including 4. Morgenstern ($9.50) in wider exotics.

How to play it: Swordsman to win and box exacta 2,3,9
Odds and Evens: Split

Some very handy milers on show here. Provincial three-year-old 5. Lincoln Park ($6.50) has surged home from well back to beat some useful ones in his last two, and the wetter the better. Over the odds.

Dangers: Lightly raced 2. Oakfield Prince ($2.15 fav) finished best to win a Class 2 comfortably third-up and doubtful he's reached his prep peak yet getting to the mile for the first time. Capable four-year-old 1. Blazing Sunrise ($4.20) is much better placed here third-up coming back from Saturday provincial BM 64 grade. Another one who likes to settle back and finish hard is 5. Hidden Hills ($4.60) who got home hard in a provincial BM 64 and will again be saved up for one final surge from the inside draw.

How to play it: Lincoln Park each-way
Odds and Evens: Split

Keen on exciting and well-bred two-year-old 4. Buck Pharoah ($2.30 fav) who resumes for only his second prep and fourth start. Hasn't publicly trialled but comes to hand in a heartbeat and thrives on rain-affected ground.

Dangers: Talented 2. Chasing Comets ($4.40) resumes off a long break from a wide gate and under a big weight but is still very capable fresh. Normally fires early and fitted for this with a smart trial win.

How to play it: Buck Pharoah to win
Odds and Evens: Evens

Good competitive and open race. Progressive filly 9. Endorphins ($4.20) relishes rain-affected ground and maps to win. Was a dominant maiden winner from just off the speed at Scone and the second horse then wonderfully comfortably next start. The one to beat.

Dangers: Rival provincial filly 10. Loose Buttons ($4.60) is on the seven day back-up after sticking on well in a deeper Class 1 at Muswellbrook. Not well treated at the weights but bred to thrive on wet tracks and this looks a shade easier. Local mare 3. Atlantic Lite ($3.70 fav) has good early speed and also comes back a notch after two solid efforts behind a promising one, while including 1. Raay Of Dreams ($11) second-up and 2. Sister Ellie ($10) who is chasing a third win from her last five in exotics.

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

We wrap it with the boys' edition and likely the most open race of the program. Expecting provincial three-year-old 4. Sir Bawn ($4 fav) to hit back here in more suitable conditions. Came from the back to thrash a maiden field two runs back before getting home fairly in a BM 58 at Scone. Fitter now and less depth here.

Dangers: Liked the way Coffs 5YO 2. Dollson ($6) hit the line hard second-up off a long break despite being unwanted in betting and ready for the longer trip. Progressive five-year-old 5. Clay Pan Boogie ($4.40) did his best work late in a country Class 2 and immediately steps sharply to his pet trip second-up. Improving four-year-old 13. Essoess ($5.50) is well placed third-up this draw and distance.

How to play it: Sir Bawn each-way and trifecta 2,4,5/2,4,5,13/2,4,5,13
Odds and Evens: Split

BEST BETS:
R3 9. JUST LIKE LISA ($2.40)
R6 4. BUCK PHAROAH ($2.30)

BEST VALUE:
R7 9. ENDORPHINS ($4.20)

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