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By Ray Hickson

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

1. Rodeo Dealer has an ideal set up to perform on the back of a handy resumption at Newcastle where he settled back and hit the line nicely over 900m. Did start big odds there but finds a much easier task, draws well and extra group suits. Hard to beat.

Dangers: 7. Perasta resumed with a solid third over this course in early January then raced closer and weakened up to 1300m at Newcastle. Forgive that performance and he’s one of the main hopes. 4. Our Emily is on debut and has trialled quite well in small fields at provincial tracks. Has found a nice race to kick off in and has to be considered. 2. Cool Space was close up as favourite two runs back at Muswellbrook then led and weakened at Scone. Less depth in this field so could be an improver.

How to play it: Rodeo Dealer WIN ($2.80 TAB Fixed Odds).

Rodeo Dealer’s first-up run at Newcastle on January 25

1. Wannawinwin might be jumping sharply in trip but she’s much better suited to it after simply finding it too short fresh in the Queen Of The North. Gives away weight but this is a big class drop and she can be competitive.

Dangers: 3. Spills has raced into form with a Murwillumbah placing followed by a tough on pace win at Walcha last week. This is his distance range and he’s one of the main hopes. 4. Yorikiri has been around the mark without winning of late and his best recent effort was at a similar trip at Muswellbrook three runs ago. Should be thereabouts again. 5. My Sonny’s Faith was a bit disappointing in a small field at Taree two weeks ago. Last win was at this trip at Wauchope in easier company and could be placed.

How to play it: Wannawinwin EACH-WAY ($7.00 TAB Fixed Odds).

Wannawinwin’s first-up run at Port Macquarie on January 24

11. Battle Reign had a little support at debut and held her ground in running fourth at 1006m. Sure to be better for that and the extra ground should be in her favour. Drawn perfectly so has the platform to improve and be in the finish.

Dangers: 1. Kid Billy has had a few chances but if you forgive last start at Grafton he’s a good chance. Game in defeat when runner-up at Coffs Harbour prior to that and could bounce back. 7. Casebolt is an interesting runner resuming without a public trial and with blinkers on. Both career placings have been first-up so despite the wide gate he’s worth keeping safe. 5. Linford showed a bit of improvement at Tamworth last time when solid in the market. Little easier here perhaps so he has the chance to break into the placings.

How to play it: Battle Reign EACH-WAY ($5.50 TAB Fixed Odds).

Battle Reign runs fourth at Port Macquarie on January 24

1. Debussy will appreciate a class drop on recent assignments and he was far from disgraced when a close up third at Grafton a couple of weeks ago at this trip. Draws nicely in a race with speed to suit him and he should run well.

Dangers: 2. Heir Apparent was racing in great heart prior to a failure here in late December where hew had excuses after racing wide. Freshened up and only has to recapture previous form to be in the finish. 3. Procrastinator was too speedy for them around the tight Bowraville course about six weeks ago leading all the way. This is a little harder but has to be considered. 6. Bow hasn’t raced since October and hasn’t trialled publicly but won only start here and generally performs okay fresh. Worth including in the chances.

How to play it: Debussy WIN ($5.50 TAB Fixed Odds).

Debussy runs third at Grafton on January 27

3. Kosuke has the most upside with just six starts under his belt and he didn’t disgrace at Group 3 level before a spell. Hard to assess his two trials but kicks off at a suitable distance and the right grade so he should be competitive.

Dangers: 10. Meghan was only fair at Taree two weeks ago but has run well in both starts at this track including a close up second two runs ago. Gets another chance to be in the finish. 5. Monte Maximus hasn’t been a factor in two runs back but strikes a race with less depth. Won at Hawkesbury back in May so if he finds that sort of form he can feature. 7. Wilderness Star was outclassed in the Queen Of The North last time but did win nicely from the front here prior to that. Drawn to go forward and could give a sight.

How to play it: Kosuke WIN ($2.80 TAB Fixed Odds).

Kosuke wins at Newcastle in September

9. Monte Tiana is bursting to win a race and was closing when beaten a length at Grafton third-up for the new stable. At peak now, distance suits and draw gives her plenty of options. Best chance for her to break through this preparation.

Dangers: 8. Magic Shannon is a 22 start maiden but has placed in 10 of them including three of her last four so she’s racing well enough. Not far from Monte Tiana at Grafton and has to be considered. 14. Hell Of A Fox led them up at Tamworth third-up and just weakened late. Will have to push forward from the wide gate but has struck a winnable race and has a show. 12. Acireale Jayne has been just behind the placings of late and held her ground at Walcha last week. Each-way claims.

How to play it: Monte Tiana WIN ($3.00 TAB Fixed Odds).

Monte Tiana runs second at Grafton on February 4

1. Sumo Fish has been a revelation winning three on end in dynamic style. It was a dead heat win first-up at this track but it was short of his best trip and was finishing hard. Should relish a strong tempo, and if he’s within striking range on the turn should take holding out.

Dangers: 6. Bodhi Boy is promising and brings three wins from as many starts into his toughest test. Handled a drop in distance second-up and absorbed pressure before kicking away. Will need a bit of luck from the draw to slot in but hard to fault. 9. Laizabout is another up and comer who got a long way back but found the line powerfully into third behind Bodhi Boy. He has plenty of upside and the extra trip will be a plus. 10. Bomarea is the highest rated horse in the race though is a slight risk at a strong 1200m. Gets in well at the weights and will roll forward. 8. Pony Soprano sat handy and prevailed when resuming over this track and distance. Down in weight and fitter and he’s not to be overlooked.

How to play it: Sumo Fish EACH-WAY ($7.50 TAB Fixed Odds).

Sumo Fish wins at Port Macquarie on January 24

3. Sigsworth ran a nice race here two starts back in a BM66 then up in class and wasn’t disgraced at Taree beaten under three lengths. Big drop in grade, drawn well and he’s entitled to be in the finish with even luck.

Dangers: 1. Toomuchinformation is usually thereabouts and just weakened late when fourth here almost a month ago after racing handy. Gets a 4kg claim for in-form apprentice and should run well again. 6. Taking The Mikki has been in the finish in all four starts at this track and resumes with one trial under his belt. Tends to need a run but can be competitive back in class. 8. Queen Of A Hand was outpointed by Pony Soprano before another game placing at Taree last time. Weill roll forward and give herself every chance.

How to play it: Sigsworth WIN ($4.80 TAB Fixed Odds).

Sigsworth’s last start at Taree on January 31

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