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By Neil Evans

Track Good 4 and rail true:

Open affair over the mile to start. Provincial mare 5. Criminal Art is very much on the rise, and gets out to a peak distance fourth-up. Ridden much quieter last time when also up in trip and rattled home from near last to be beaten only a neck. Again should find cover in the second half of the field and be very strong from the 500m.

Dangers: Plenty of them headed by 9. His First Lady who is very fit deep into the prep, and draws to get ideal cover just off the speed. Local mare 4. All Too Rosey has also been up for a while, and looking for this longer journey; while 2. Oakfield Macka and 10. The Coat Hanger can both run into the money.

How to play it: Criminal Art to win

Not much between the leading contenders in this maiden, although progressive and lightly raced mare 2. Rox'n'rol rates on top at her third start. Has beaten all bar the winner in two runs at Grafton against slightly deeper opposition, the latest ridden further back and finishing well. The extra furlong now is the big key.

Dangers: Provincial-based 1. Corvalist is also ready to win third-up in his first full prep after tracking the speed and holding his ground behind an odds-on winner at Scone. Must include 6. Cynic who draws to peak fourth-up and 26 days between runs after charging home into a place here when backed from $3.40 into $2.60. Gap to the rest, although watch the betting on ex-Victorian 5. Highland Raider who comes back in trip fifth-up for his first run for the new home track stable. Draws to get a soft run, and gear changes have been made.

How to play it: Rox'n'rol to win and exacta 1,2,6

Back to the pure sprint trip, and it shapes nicely for improving home track four-year-old 3. Noci Di Cocco second-up off a five week freshen-up. Took on better maiden opposition in the early part of winter before being beaten narrowly here off that short spell on what was a deteriorating surface. Less depth in this, and the top country jockey in NSW takes over.

Dangers: Lightly raced 4. Star Emblem is the clear threat from a soft draw, and on a quick back-up well into the prep; while 9. Serifice also hard fit and having not missed a place in her last four; and 10. Spirits Burn Deep resuming; can fight for the minor money.

How to play it: Noci Di Cocco to win

Staying at the distance for the girls, and in a race of a few chances, home track five-year-old 4. My One can return from a 19 week spell with a bang. Hasn't publicly trialled, but comes to hand quickly, and only two previous wins so far from 17 starts have come fresh. Was competitive enough in much deeper races last prep, and likes to settle off speed and come with a rush.

Dangers: Ultra honest 1. The Neon Knight is well placed on the map just behind the speed fifth-up, and has a rock solid record over this trip. Keep safe 2. Lady Tulessa who has to get over from a wide barrier, but comes off a tough all-the-way win fourth-up. Both 3. No Filter from a soft draw and a month between runs; and 6. Cotton Caper who backs up quickly from the inside gate; go in trifecta and first four plays.

How to play it: My One to win

Lightly raced five-year-old 4. Zanardee's Lane can make a significant step up from a dominant maiden win to this class over 150m further. Loved the way he sat off the speed and put them to the sword first-up off a 19-week spell. Despite the class rise, looks well placed with a superior jockey taking over and carrying 1.5kg less, and all being equal he's destined to go on and win much smarter races.

Dangers: Keep safe local 5. Tayla's One who hasn't finished further back than second in four runs this prep, including back-to-back wins here at home. Handles all ground, and also shapes well after the claim. Be surprised if one of those two doesn't win, but watch for any money around 2. Zetarita dropping in class second-up for the Kris Lees yard; while 9. Berkinson is also in the each-way mix third-up and drawn to get cover back in the field, with winkers being added.

How to play it: Zanardee's Lane to win

Back up to the mile, and underrated provincial five-year-old 3. Pippen can put two wins together stepping up in grade. Overcame a wide gate and big weight ro rush home and claim a weaker race fourth-up, and while he takes on some better ones here, rarely runs a bad one, and is drawn to get a lovely position just better than midfield with cover.

Dangers: Any number will be running home starting with 1. Miss Shalaa who draws off the track, but has been in and around the money all prep in better races. Over the odds is provincial staying mare 6. Cristalino resuming behind two very quiet trials. Draws to get a soft run back in the field and will naturally be strong late. Keep safe too 9. Tornado Light who draws the fence second-up, and comes through a race with more depth; while home tracker 8. Curracabundi can improve sharply third-up over more ground.

How to play it: Pippen to win

Same grade of galloper here in another fairly even and open affair. Like improving mare 7. Enterprise Lassie dropping in grade second-up over a touch further and 33 days between runs. Didn't finish off when fresh in deeper company over the border, but this is far more to her liking settling further back with cover, and an important jockey change.

Dangers: No doubting local 3. Stratum Chief has the ability to make it three straight after a dominant front-running CL2 win here, but not as effective on dry ground, and up in weight from a tougher draw as well, has him under the odds. Watch for improving 11. Stellar Style running home second-up; while honest 10. Herne Hill from the inside draw; and 12. White Arendelle off a second start maiden win; both go through the exotics.

How to play it: Enterprise Lassie each way

Back to the five furlongs is the ideal pointer for tough four-year-old 2. October Revolution to claim the 'closer' off a four week freshen-up, despite drawing wide. Was right in the money, including a win in this grade, across three runs around the region before doing it too tough in a much deeper grade over the Grafton carnival and failing to finish off. Better placed back in this company.

Dangers: Keep very safe 8. Cluny Road who comes off a dominant win in a weak CL1, and draws to get a soft run just behind the speed. Drawn wide out, 4. Uncertain Terms is also better placed fourth-up; while provincial-based 9. Titan Star can figure in the minor money.

How to play it: October Revolution to win

BEST BETS:
R3 3. NOCI DI COCCO
R5 4. ZANARDEE'S LANE

BEST VALUE:
R4 4. MY ONE

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