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By Neil Evans

Track likely a Soft 5 with expected late rain and the rail out 3.5m from 500m to 300m into a cutaway.

Very competitive opener for the maidens and plenty of chances. Improving 3YO filly 14. Soldier's Desire ($2.70 favourite on TAB) maps to get a lovely run behind the speed and is primed third-up. Came on lengths missing by a long neck second-up at Hawkesbury and extra trip a big plus. The one to beat.

Dangers: Plenty of them headed by Randwick 3YO 2. Dom Tycoon ($3.20) who has really attacked the line in his last two at Canberra and Scone, and also suited over a bit more ground. Watch the betting on 3YO 16. Shock Zone ($6) after a fair first-up effort at Canberra when a rock-solid favourite.

How to play it: Soldier's Desire to win
Odds and Evens: Evens

Back to the sprint trip and again it's an open affair. Keen on 4YO mare 4. You Rang ($2.80 fav) having her first start for new Hawkesbury stable. Showed more than enough fresh early in her career and has been tuned up with a smart trial win.

Dangers: Improving filly 7. Dreamline ($6.50) is also on the cusp after four runs to start her career. Showed a lot more fight after leading at Newcastle last start and her early speed is an asset around this course. Kept up to the mark with a recent trial win and blinkers are off. Got plenty of time for Scone 3YO 8. Nicator ($5.50) who resumes for a second prep off a tidy trial.

How to play it: You Rang to win and box exacta 4,7,8
Odds and Evens: Split

Progressive 4YO mare 5. The Fringe ($2.40 fav) can shake off the perennial bridesmaid tag third-up. Was easily overhauled in a tougher maiden at Canterbury after looming to win but looks well placed dropping back to this company and only 3kg over the limit.

Dangers: Bathurst 5YO 3. Saint Ay ($5) looks ready for this little rise in grade after an all-the-way CL1 win at home; while Dubbo mare 6. Hibern ($7.50) charged home to win a similar race over the mile at home and is drawn to get cover, but up 3.5kg in weight.

How to play it: The Fringe to win
Odds and Evens: Odds

Strong race for this class. Hard to go past promising 3YO filly 12. Too Much Class ($2 fav) who finished best as a hot favourite second-up at Canberra and this looks a lovely follow-up trip. Carries the same weight here and a leading metro stable has bigger targets in mind.

Dangers: Loved the way Hawkesbury mare 7. Timely Shadow ($5) hit the line in her last two at home and although she'll have to go a long way back from the wide gate, is screaming out for the mile. Mudgee 5YO 1. Scottish Soldier ($10) chased valiantly last start when back in trip off a freshen-up, but the sharp jump to 59kg is a big ask. Scone mare 3. Blue Velvet ($11) swept home for a dominant maiden win at Mudgee and while there's more depth here and she also has to overcome a wide draw, she can take the next step.

How to play it: Too Much Class to win and quinella 7 and 12
Odds and Evens: Split

A very open dash for the restricted sprinters, with good depth. The betting will tell a tale but keen on Bathurst 5YO and ex Kris-Lees trained 4. Buzzoni ($5.50 equal fav) who hasn't started for 13 months but has smart fresh credentials and won both lead-up trials at this track. The latest was impressive, sitting well off the speed and rounding them up with ease under a good hold.

Dangers: Hawkesbury 6YO 1. Charlie Chap ($5.50 eq fav) powered home to win this grade and distance two runs back before again getting home in a deeper BM 58. Drawn to get a soft run back in the field and will be charging late. Tough Scone 6YO 8. More Than A Samba ($5.50 eq fav) has only missed out narrowly in his last couple in similar grade. Has good tactical speed, although faces a tricky draw around here. Include resuming 7YO mare 9. Miss Hugo A Gogo ($6.50) who wasn't pushed out in that trial behind Buzzoni. Warwick Farm mare 2. For Love ($9.50) is over the odds after a fair closing return in a tougher race at Hawkesbury. Up sharply in weight, and not a renowned second-up performer, but drawn to get the right sort of trail.

How to play it: Buzzoni each way and trifecta 1,4,8/1,4,8,9/1,2,4,8,9
Odds and Evens: Split

Good depth in this one too headed by smart Warwick Farm 3YO 5. Solva ($3.50) who resumed with an impressive maiden win here sweeping home from midfield and he's still well on the rise getting out in distance from a soft draw.

Dangers: Hard to believe 3YO 2. Dynamic Impact ($2.70 fav) jumped $14 before destroying his rivals by 4.4 lengths fourth-up in a maiden at Goulburn, and can find a good trail again just off the speed. Hawkesbury mare 6. Louder ($6.50) was ridden further back from the draw third-up in a handy CL1 and finished off okay; while keep safe Bathurst 3YO 8. Bronzie ($5.50) who won on debut at Dubbo and top country rider (Grant Buckley) sticks.

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

Open battle to finish. Like local 5YO 8. Vaquero ($4.40) who can peak third-up out to this distance. Showed big improvement second-up here charging home to beat all but the winner in a handy CL2, and carries 3kg less.

Dangers: Warwick Farm 3YO 9. Always Sure ($4.20 fav) failed to run on at Kembla after an impressive maiden win at Canberra in only his second start. Form out of that race is strong and he draws to get a soft run back in the field. Expect sharp improvement second-up from 4YO mare 2. Whitchety Grub ($4.40) who was only fair through the line resuming in a similar race at Muswellbrook, but can improve sharply into her second-up run and drawn to find a nice trail just off the speed.

How to play it: Vaquero to win and box exacta 2,8,9
Odds and Evens: Split

BEST BETS
R1 - 14. SOLDIER'S DESIRE
R3 - 5. THE FRINGE

BEST VALUE
R5 - 4. BUZZONI

View the final fields with full form & race replays for Orange here