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By Nick Berney

Tips and race by race preview by Nick Berney for Sunday's Port Macquarie meeting. Selections based on a good track. Monitor for bias/pattern.

Forget 8. Promised's last start in a high-rating race at Muswellbrook, where the mare had no luck. Before that start, she hit the line hard, running third at Coonabarabran and ran strong closing splits. She has had a freshen-up, which will offset the step back in distance and the dry track suits again. Additionally, Grant Buckley rides and expect her to be savaging the line. Each-way.

Dangers: 1. Red Lantern was specked late in the trade last start and was honest. He maps well, and Aaron Bullock rides. 4. Dis Is Heaven was ridden out in a recent trial at Taree, albeit on a Heavy 10 surface. He is a key market watch and a drier surface suits. 9. California Dreamin has a tricky draw but will be running on.

How to play it: Promised E/W ($5.00 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Promised last start at Muswellbrook on January 3

11. Lady Townson had excuses last start at the provincial level, where she was subject to a severe check in the final straight. The three-year-old filly has been building towards a peak performance and the extra distance is ideal. Expect her to run a bold race.

Dangers: 3. Titanicus is rock-hard fit and receives a senior rider for the first time. 2. Devocean gets blinkers on for the first time, and 4. Vegas Outlaw will be fitter.

How to play it: Lady Townson WIN ($2.60 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Lady Townson last start at Newcastle on January 17

2. Heir Apparent showed speed in a recent trial at this track and won in style. The gelding raced well last prep and was brave in defeat in a stronger grade prior to spelling last prep. He will roll forward from the wide gate and has multiple figures that can put him in the finish. Expect him to be hard to catch.

Dangers: 4. Snipillicious brings a race fitness edge and drops in grade. He will be strong late. 7. Fermanagh Lad has had 224 days off the scene and is a key late market watch. 10. Zapluck brings the best last-start figure; however, he hasn't won in a long time.

How to play it: Heir Apparent WIN ($2.40 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: EVENS.

Heir Apparent wins a trial at Port Macquarie on January 20

1. Headstart has a strong platform and is ready to peak third-up over more distance. The three-year-old ran on strongly last start at this track and gave every indication he would improve. He has drawn kindly, allowing him to settle closer, and Aaron Bullock sticks. Expect a bold showing.

Dangers: 3. Taking The Mikki was brave in defeat last start at this track and distance. Further, he led at a very fast pace and stuck on to hold second in a high-rating race. He has a tricky draw, but he will go close with any luck. 10. Stellar Style was honest last start when starting hard in the market and back to a dry surface suits here. 13. Discreet Lady has been up for a while but has been racing well.

How to play it: Headstart WIN ($2.70 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Headstart runs third last start at Port Macquarie on January 20

4. Lisztomania was outstanding in defeat last start at Doomben after having too much to do. The gelding got too far back throughout transit and had to make a long-wide, sustained run. Further, he sprinted one of the fastest final 600m splits of the meeting in 33.20. He has key attributes and, with even luck, will be in the finish.

Dangers: 6. Mr Tabasco, who profiles solidly for this, is ready to peak. He is rock-hard fit and gets in well at the weights after the claim. 9. Inspiration had a tricky draw but will look to have the last shot and may get the track pattern to suit. 3. Optimo can bounce back and win. Add 7. My One to trifectas and first fours.

How to play it: Lisztomania WIN ($2.40 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: EVENS.

6. Killzy's run had hidden merit last start at Tamworth, and he profiles well for this event. The three-year-old got too far back in a slow tempo, but to his credit, he made up significant ground late, running slick closing splits. He is rock-hard fit, the bigger track suits and expect him to settle closer from the soft draw. Each-way.

Dangers: 8. Blandoch can improve sharply with the blinkers back on, and he was honest last start at this track/distance in a stronger grade. 5. Curracabundi will appreciate the step back in distance and 12. Woburn Abbey broke through for her maiden win in style.

How to play it: Killzy E/W ($4.20 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: EVENS.

Killzy last start at Tamworth on January 19

1. Rinnova joins the Neil Godbolt stable and looks well-suited here. The six-year-old hasn't been suited to sit and sprint race shapes this prep and can bounce back down in grade. She has a tricky draw, but with the anticipated genuine tempo, expect her to hit the line hard. She may also get the track pattern to suit and has multiple winning figures for this event.

Dangers: 8. War Lady resumes without an official public trial and is a key late market watch. She is a speedy type and will give a sight. 4. Boss Shelby brings a fitness edge and is racing consistently. Add 2. Golden Breeze and 3. Berkinson to trifectas and first fours.

How to play it: Rinnova WIN ($4.00 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Rinnova last start at Gosford on January 13

Best Bet: Race 5 # 4 - Lisztomania

Next Bet: Race 4 # 1 - Headstart

Best Value: Race 6 # 6 - Killzy

All the fields, form and replays for Sunday's Port Macquarie meeting