Latest News

By Neil Evans

Track is rated a Heavy 9 with the rail in the True position.

Tough opener. Very keen on provincial three-year-old 7. The Jaguar ($2.40 favourite on TAB) who resumes as a gelding in suitable ground from the inside draw. Hasn't been publicly trialled but that's typical for the stable and was close-up in both starts last spring.

Dangers: Improving 8. The Regular Show ($5.50) chased home a smart filly third-up and he's by renowned wet track sire No Nay Never. Watch the betting on Outreach two-year-old 10. Bigdoggottaeat ($10) who debuts in blinkers for the leading provincial stable and was given plenty of time at the trials. Keep safe another two-year-old 11. Oblivion ($4.20), by Winning Rupert, who is also back as a gelding off a forward trial, while 4. Gigastar ($5) gets blinkers for the first time fourth-up.

How to play it: The Jaguar to win and first four 7,8,10,11/4,7,8,10,11/4,7,8,10,11/4,7,8,10,11
Odds and Evens: Split

The girls' edition isn't a whole lot easier. Tough Coffs filly 5. Continuum ($3.50) has been banging on the door all prep, and only missed narrowly in her last few. Hard fit, with a crucial 4kg claim for an inexperienced rider.

Dangers: Consistent filly 4. Chocolate Kisses ($3.30 fav) hasn't missed a place in her last four, and is drawn to get another cosy run on speed, but struggles to finish off. Ex-Victorian filly 8. Little Miss Dotty ($5) can show up for the new local stable off a two-month break and with blinkers back on.

How to play it: Continuum each-way and box trifecta 2,4,5,8
Odds and Evens: Split

Coffs three-year-old and ex-Victorian 7. Hengst ($7.50) did his best work late first-up since last November under a big weight. Looks even better placed here and proven to react on rain-affected ground.

Dangers: Improving three-year-old 2. Atomic Surprise ($6) peaks here after holding ground through the line at only his second start. Keep safe Nicconi three-year-old 1. Joher Spirit ($41) who debuts off two improving trials.

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

A battle of tactics and tempo plays into the hands of progressive four-year-old 2. Oakfield Cherokee ($1.95 fav) despite coming back a little in distance. Fell in as a hot favourite three runs back before powering home in his next two, including a last-start Class 6 win from well off the speed. The one to beat.

Dangers: Progressive provincial mare 1. Justitia ($6) is searching for this longer trip after two runs back, while 3. Theo Legion ($3.80) put paid to a handy Class 3 field last start on a Heavy 8 and stretched out to this distance for the first time. Under-rated five-year-old 4. Hubble ($13) also jumps in trip deep into his prep.

How to play it: Oakfield Cherokee to win
Odds and Evens: Split

Plenty of chances in this one. Like talented home track four-year-old 11. Mr Eighty Eight ($3.40) fourth-up with a significant weight drop and blinkers coming off. Went down narrowly surging home here two runs back before somehow missing by a whisker last start. Hasn't missed a place in five career runs and is ready to break through.

Dangers: Emerging three-year-old 6. Alastor ($3.30 fav) looks primed at the weights fourth-up, although middle gates are always tricky. Has been close-up as a well-backed favourite in his last two. Improving four-year-old 2. Em Em D'ar ($13) rattled home to land his maiden on a bog track off a nine-week break, and back out to the mile under the same weight. Three-year-olds 7. Baxter ($4) and 8. Imperial Grey ($8) are both capable of working into the finish.

How to play it: Mr Eighty Eight each-way and box exacta 2,6,11
Odds and Evens: Split

Very competitive sprint for this class. Progressive three-year-old 4. Superior Witness ($3.20) was dominant from barrier to box resuming on a bog track and all three wins from seven have come on heavy ground. Carries weight, the wetter the better and should soon be back contesting Highway races.

Dangers: Exciting provincial filly 8. Pleading ($2.90 fav) reloads after missing a run at the abandoned Scone meeting last Friday. Was a dominant maiden winner first-up and draws to get a nice trail just off the speed. Real Impact three-year-old 5. Tupou ($10) has enough ability to threaten here. Swept home to win a weaker race two runs back before working home behind a smart one in similar grade. Provincial mare 1. Cool Missile ($11) can improve sharply second-up after being very weak leading in a BM 66, while included in exotics 3. Oakfield Hiawatha ($5.50) freshened up for the drop back in trip and blinkers have been added.

How to play it: Superior Witness to win
Odds and Evens: Split

Back out to the mile and typically around this grade there's a stack of hopes. Improving five-year-old 3. Great Marlow ($6.50) is looking for this journey now after getting home late in a Class 3 second-up.

Dangers: Provincial mare 5. Nashian ($11) rarely runs a bad one in and around this trip and carries her lightest weight in a long time after rookie rider's 4kg allowance. Keep safe capable mare 7. Lasting Grace ($4.80) who draws to get a nice trail just off the speed.

How to play it: Great Marlow each-way
Odds and Evens: Odds

Very keen on progressive three-year-old 15. McNair ($4 equal fav) who swept home for an impressive second-up maiden win at Coffs and has plenty of scope ahead. Untried in heavy ground but bred to plough through it.

Dangers: Local three-year-old 4. Zaru ($4 eq fav) was ridden a little quieter here third-up and only missed by a nose finishing hard. Hung on to win his maiden over 1000m prior but they may have found the trick riding him with a sit, after so many close calls previously when leading until the shadows of the post. Wide draw will be a test. Lightly raced 10. Prince Akeem ($12) and freshened-up filly 12. Paxos Miss ($6) are best of the rest.

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

BEST BETS
R6 4. - SUPERIOR WITNESS ($3.20)
R8 15. - McNAIR ($4)

BEST VALUE
R7 3. - GREAT MARLOW ($6.50)

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