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By Ray Hickson

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

6. Fine Vintage might not have been suited to leading last start, while he had every chance in front he didn’t find the line. Placed at Nowra three back and ran on well to be beaten under two at Goulburn two back. He’s found a suitable race.

Dangers: 7. Gallic Fox will find this a lot easier than what he’s met this time in. Just battled okay at Canterbury last time but drawn well here and chance to improve. 8. Global Deel has had a few preparation without racing but debuts here after running third at Kembla over 790m last week. Probably outsprinted there and could fare better at the 1400m. 12. Platinum Asset started $61 on debut at this track and led before weakening to a midfield finish. May be fitter and could give a sight.

How to play it: Fine Vintage WIN ($3.20 TAB Fixed Odds) Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Fine Vintage runs second at Nowra in December

2. Soloist will be much fitter for a solid first-up effort at Canberra where he found the line well into second. Drops 3kg and has the inside gate. Wins are in this distance range and he should be hard to beat.

Dangers: 3. Sizzle Minizzle raced clear late to score an impressive win at Gilgandra as an odds-on favourite, certainly earning him a shot at this stronger race. Commands some respect. 4. Radegast looked home until he was claimed in the last stride when resuming here last week. Was a $26 chance so does need to consolidate here but if he does he’s in the mix. 1. Zouologist has been racing in high country benchmark races for the most part and is around the mark. Had his chance behind Participator at Wagga last time but his 1400m form keeps him under notice.

How to play it: Soloist WIN ($2.90 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Soloist runs second at Canberra on December 30

2. Brogans Creek just came off second best in a two horse stoush here first-up but gets a huge weight swing in his favour for a return clash. Has to be fitter and could easily turn the tables.

Dangers: 4. Rubiwish is 3kg worse off for just outgunning Brogans Creek when they met over this course. He was second-up so it’ll be interesting to see how they match up with added fitness. They look to have the race between them. 6. Own The Night broke through for a solid maiden win at Dubbo then beaten favourite in a non-TAB Class 1 at Wellington on Boxing Day. Consistent enough and could be in the placings again. 3. Titan Star has put a couple of solid runs together for placings at Canberra behind Soloist and here in a similar race a week ago. In the mix.

How to play it: Brogans Creek WIN ($2.80 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: EVENS.

Brogans Creek runs second at Orange on January 6

6. Iknowastar seems to be trialling a lot better this time in and if that transfers to race day this is a nice race for him. Barrier could be a bit stick but it’s only 1000m and any support would be encouraging. Go well.

Dangers: 12. Salisano is on debut for the same stable and her latest trial at Rosehill was her best for a while. Also drawn out but is well worth keeping safe. 13. Starspangledancer has been a little disappointing of late. Led and weakened as a $3.20 chance at Gosford first-up. Fitter and will likely lead again. Could be an improver, but needs to. 10. Court Whispers is on debut for Jarrod Austin and she showed some improvement into her second trial at Warwick Farm where she ran a close third. Right race to kick her off and she could show up.

How to play it: Iknowastar WIN ($3.40 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: EVENS.

Iknowastar runs third in a Warwick Farm trial on January 3

13. Suomenlinna is very much a take on trust commodity but he might like the extra ground after running on okay behind the placings at 1000m at his past couple. Is a 22 start maiden so there’s the risk but a good each-way hope here.

Dangers: 12. Seminara is a 12 start maiden and ran fourth in the same race Suomenlinna finished fifth at Orange two weeks ago. Will get back from the wide gate and in a wide open race can run into the finish. 2. Loch Anton Lady did a good job resuming at 1000m here last week, had some support at odds and ran on well into third. Another who will likely relish the extra trip and is a definite chance. 6. Divine Entity has been competitive in two runs back from a spell including a fourth over this trip at Gilgandra. May want a little further so could be one to keep an eye on for next time.

How to play it: Suomenlinna E/W ($11 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Suomenlinna runs fourth at Orange on January 6

5. Cheptegei is racing in outstanding form and made a lie of his Coonabarabran Cup run over a mile with an easy Gilgandra Cup win over this distance. Some luck needed from the gate but expect he’ll be hard to hold out.

Dangers: 11. Whatsin was placed in a Highway in May and if fitter for a couple of trials on this track in recent weeks. Right down on 53kg gives him a chance to measure up. 10. Power Bank put three wins together at the end of last campaign rushing through the grades from a maiden win in September. Trialled alongside Whatsin and while this is his biggest test he could be up to it. 7. Almost Persuaded is in career best form at present and led when placed at Canberra following wins at Mudgee and Queanbeyan. Has a show.

How to play it: Cheptegei WIN ($3.10 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Cheptegei wins at Gilgandra on January 2

3. Knife’s Edge has won three from five since joining Garry Lunn and his two unplaced efforts came in Sydney. Dominant in the Coonabarabran Cup and while up in weight he’s a big chance to repeat.

Dangers: 2. Nieces And Nephews went stride for stride with Another One in the Ted Ryder Cup at Dubbo so he’s racing in top form at the moment. On pacer who can take some getting past. 4. Not Negotiating gets back and runs on and will do that again. Found the distance change against her in the Gilgandra Cup so getting back to a mile suits. 9. Sea Of Flames is the emerging horse coming off a very easy win at Orange in a BM58 last week. Tougher task but could be up to it while in form.

How to play it: Knife’s Edge WIN ($2.25 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Knife’s Edge wins at Coonabarabran on December 23

9. Can Do It has an ordinary strike rate but his two runs at this track this time in suggest a breakthrough isn’t far off. Has been strong late in both runs, might need some luck from the wide gate but big chance.

Dangers: 1. How’s It Kev had some support first-up when midfield here last week and does tend to improve with a run or two. Might want slightly further but drawn soft and is a chance. 3. Down To Earth won successive races in good style at Bathurst in the spring but last few have been poor. Big class drop on his run in open company here a couple of weeks ago and chance to show up this time. 7. Avalicious is first-up on the back of a couple of trials though could find this a touch sharp given she was tried out to 2200m before a spell. Keep in mind for the multiples.

How to play it: Can Do It WIN ($2.70 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Can Do It runs second at Orange on January 6

All the fields, form and replays for Sunday’s Orange meeting