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By Ray Hickson

Tips and race by race preview by Ray Hickson for Sunday’s Nowra meeting. Selections based on a good track.

3. Rose Aye showed some promise in her first prep with two placings from three starts but was a different horse when she cantered home in a maiden at this track two weeks ago. Obviously up in class but looks smart.

Dangers: 7. Zoutastic sat handy and prevailed in a strong maiden at Wagga a month ago. Overcame a wide gate there and has to be a danger from a perfect gate this time. 1. Istolea Merc was a beaten favourite first-up at Kembla then odds-on again and proved too strong over 1200m at this track. Just back the 100m but commands respect. 4. Soho Artist was too good as favourite at Queanbeyan when resuming then just fair here two weeks ago. Entitled to another chance.

How to play it: Rose Aye WIN ($2.70 TAB Fixed Odds).

Rose Aye wins at Nowra on February 9

7. Brannum struck a heavy track on debut at Goulburn and while safely held in third he boxed on pretty well. Likely to appreciate a firmer track and will be better for the run. He’s struck a very winnable race and should be hard to beat.

Dangers: 10. Remadosi was a drifter in betting on debut at Sapphire Coast and while she never looked a winning chance she did make some ground. Extra trip likely to suit so look for an improved showing. 8. Cammi has had a few chances of late and stayed on fairly in the same race as Brannum when fourth at Goulburn. Could easily put herself in the finish. 1. Beograd Boy was runner-up in that race and has to be considered but he is a 35 start maiden so has had a few attempts.

How to play it: Brannum WIN ($2.50 TAB Fixed Odds).

Brannum runs third at Goulburn on February 11

6. Skiing is an interesting runner first-up for the new stable having raced honestly in Victoria. Two trials leading in have been excellent closing off nicely just behind the placings. Whether the trip is too sharp is a query but he could get over the top late.

Dangers: 4. Take The Rap had a gap between a solid Highway effort in November and a close third at Goulburn almost a month ago. All three wins are at this trip and this is an open race so he should be competitive. 3. Starlight Girl is racing honestly with a Moruya win two starts back then beaten favourite at Tumut where she had her chance. She’ll run well and has to be considered. 5. Fourth Spargo has been a bit disappointing in two runs back but this is a step down on last time in the Bega Sprint and 1000m suits. Can improve.

How to play it: Skiing WIN ($3.90 TAB Fixed Odds).

Skiing’s latest trial at Warwick Farm on February 11

2. Airliner can be forgiven for his heavy track failure last time, his previous efforts were sound in similar races. Big run at Sapphire Coast two back and while he’ll need things to go his way he’ll get every chance from a perfect draw.

Dangers: 7. Win The Day is lightly raced and did quite a good job when resuming at Canberra a couple of weeks ago. Barrier is a minus but with any luck can be in the finish. 6. Far Too Hot started $26 and led all the way to an easy win at Nowra two weeks ago in a small field. Same grade here and has to reproduce but must be considered. 5. Liquor Talk is another coming off something of a surprise win as he was to good at Orange last week at double figure odds. Has a show.

How to play it: Airliner EACH-WAY ($8.50 TAB Fixed Odds).

Airliner’s fourth at Sapphire Coast on February 2

7. Davikar started favourite on debut at Scone and had no luck at a crucial stage when finishing sixth, not sure now close she gets with a clear passage. Better for the run and drawn favourably so she’s more than entitled to another chance.

Dangers: 9. Honey Perfume was solid in betting in the same race and tried hard when finishing third. Not far off a win it seems and is a definite chance. 2. Gone To Cape York is trialling okay for his debut winning nicely enough at Randwick last week. In top stable and wouldn’t surprise if he’s hard to beat. 11. Synergize has been thereabouts of late and was favourite when a fair third at Kembla two weeks ago. Was six weeks between runs there. Drop to country grade a plus.

How to play it: Davikar WIN ($4.60 TAB Fixed Odds).

Davikar’s first-up run at Scone on February 6

9. Turn Left is a well bred filly on debut and she’s only had the one trial but it was a pleasing one behind a smart type at Canberra. Half-sister to One Aye and if she runs up to what she showed in that trial she will be competitive.

Dangers: 2. Rubilace was placed at Warwick Farm at her second start then beaten favourite at Kembla Grange before a spell. Fitter for a recent trial and must be respected here fresh. 6. Lack Of Restraint from the Bjorn Baker stable commands some respect on debut, she’s trialled twice and the second was an improvement on the first. 1. Uncle Barry is an ex-NZ three-year-old first-up for the new stable and trialled okay at Kembla behind a subsequent winner. Wide gate a minus but worth keeping an eye on.

How to play it: Turn Left WIN ($4.20 TAB Fixed Odds).

Turn Left runs second in a Canberra trial on February 7

10. Kimberley Secrets has returned from a lengthy break in outstanding form with placings at Canterbury and Randwick. Did a bit of work last start and held on well. Won this race two years ago at Moruya and looks the one to beat.

Dangers: 14. Super Norwest won a Highway at Rosehill back in August and hasn’t been far away in two very strong Highways this time in. Draw is ideal for her to get a trail in behind and she’s capable of being in the finish. 1. No Drama wasn’t the best away and didn’t get into the race at all when resuming at Rosehill so best to forgive that. Was in excellent form last preparation and if he lands near the speed he can improve sharply. 2. Cable Express has some work to do from a wide barrier but he warmed up with a nice fresh win at Goulburn and a trial win at the same track leading into this. Has to be included in the chances. 8. Toes In The Water had no luck in the Bega Cup with a wide run and dropped out. Kensington winner prior and she could bounce back without surprising.

How to play it: Kimberley Secrets WIN ($3.00 TAB Fixed Odds).

Kimberley Secrets runs third at Randwick on February 8

10. Tjaka didn’t handle the heavy track first-up at Goulburn when well fancied so that run can be forgiven. Shaped up well in her first prep with a debut win and a narrow defeat before a Highway failure. She looks suited and gets the chance to lift.

Dangers: 3. Deni Gal has a good record at this track and enhanced it with a strong first-up win two weeks ago. Rarely too far away and an extra 100m will only help her cause. 8. Motorboat only had the one run last time in on a heavy track but two trials back have had merit. Barrier not ideal but wouldn’t be leaving her out. 7. Heavenly Legend ran a much improved race at Sapphire Coast just over a week ago at his second run back. Has had a few chances but with even luck from the gate he could be in the finish again.

How to play it: Tjaka WIN ($4.00 TAB Fixed Odds).

Tjaka’s first-up run at Goulburn on February 11

All the fields, form and replays for Sunday’s Country Championships meeting at Nowra