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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 heavy track.

5. Rhineland hasn’t been beaten far in three runs back, blinkers come off here and has drawn to land handy to the speed. Not a lot of depth in this one and has to be a good chance to break through.

Dangers: 8. Kohinoor Lustre drew wide at Taree last time and didn’t get into the race. Best effort to date was on a soft 7 so it wouldn’t surprise if she improves. 4. Artiebe gave a bit of a sight in front at Wyong second-up. Drawn wide but only placing to date was on a heavy 8 at Newcastle so worth including in the chances. 10. Troska is yet to place in 11 starts but perhaps a wet track might help her cause in a race that is right up for grabs.

How to play it: Rhineland WIN ($1.85 TAB Fixed Odds) Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Rhineland’s last start at Newcastle on January 19

4. Welloutofreach started favourite on debut here on a heavy track and hit the lead momentarily before finishing third. Better for that, handles the ground and expect he will be prominent again.

Dangers: 1. Anselmo is a consistent type who has placed in six of his eight starts and ran on into third behind Amulet Street at Tamworth, that horse has won again since. Has a couple of soft 7 placings so the ground shouldn’t be an issue. 3. Rockbarton Roman is trialling strongly for a big first-up run. Competitive in all three starts to date, yet to see a heavy track but must be considered. 5. Kamikaze Kid was a drifter in betting but gave a huge sight behind a promising type at Newcastle second-up. Has a show.

How to play it: Welloutofreach WIN ($3.30 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Welloutofreach runs third at Port Macquarie on January 21

5. Wannawinwin was specked at odds first-up here two weeks ago and hit the line okay into third on a heavy track. Extra 100m looks a plus for her and if she can repeat that effort and take some improvement she’s right in the mix.

Dangers: 4. Sahana hasn’t seen a wet track but was well supported on debut when an even fourth at Muswellbrook a few weeks ago. Blinkers go on her and she’s well worth keeping safe. 3. Rockbarton Lass improved with racing in her first prep culminating in a close second on a soft 7 at Taree in September. Fitter for two trials and has a good chance fresh. 8. Parties Galore gave a big sight at Port Macquarie, same race as Wannawinwin, and if she can replicate that effort she can take some running down.

How to play it: Wannawinwin WIN ($4.80 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Wannawinwin runs third at Port Macquarie on January 21

4. Crowned Empress had good support second-up and delivered with a solid win in a similar race here two weeks ago. Race has fallen right away and with similar conditions should win.

Dangers: 5. Flash Palace has the bar plates off which is a good sign. Disappointed at Taree last time, can mix form but three of his four wins have been on wet tracks so has claims. 6. Bay Of Bengal was in the market behind Crowned Empress here but failed. Another mixing form but on best can be placed. 7. Rioli next best after a somewhat improved placing at Ballina.

How to play it: Crowned Empress WIN ($1.55 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Crowned Empress wins at Port Macquarie on January 21

2. Sawtell rarely runs a bad race but is in particularly good form at the moment. Heavy 10 winner three starts back then placed on a heavy here before heading to Taree where he struck a good track. Commands some respect in this.

Dangers: 6. Stormy Pluck was a heavy track winner three starts back as well, since then his two runs have been on good ground and he’s been solid without winning. Definite chance. 7. Asserting has only won one from 12 but her form is very consistent and is regularly around the money. Win two back was on a soft 6, tried hard back onto a good surface last time. Keep in mind. 3. Praeferox has the blinkers back on after leading off a wide gate at Tuncurry last time and weakening late. Last win was on a soft 7 at Ballina in November. Each-way.

How to play it: Sawtell E/W ($6.50 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: EVENS.

Sawtell runs third at Taree on January 28

5. Alibi Dot Com has been an odds-on favourite at both starts to date and got the job done on a heavy track here a month ago. Everything points to another strong performance up in class, drawn well and obviously handles the wet. Hard to beat.

Dangers: 3. She’s Contrary broke through at Scone before a spell, resumed at Wyong and was a drifter in betting before weakening late into fourth in a small field. Better suited here and has handled a heavy track. Go well. 6. Into The Blue has struck some form at his past three starts including a last start Taree win on a heavy track. Freshened up since then, claim doesn’t hurt and he can give a good account. 10. Xtra Approval had specking in the market and made some ground into fifth here last time. Each-way hopes.

How to play it: Alibi Dot Com WIN ($1.80 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Alibi Dot Com wins at Port Macquarie on January 7

2. Par Avion is a promising type who hasn’t raced since scoring here back in October on a soft 6. Yet to win first-up but hasn’t run poorly and does get in quite well with the 4kg claim. Big chance after some key scratchings.

Dangers: 4. Sound And Vision is a very good wet tracker who resumes from a short break since a heavy 8 win at Tuncurry over a mile. Won at 1300m three starts back on a heavy and while he will improve over more ground he’s not to be overlooked. Read trainer Karen Owen's comments here. 8. Off Her Roca wasn't disgraced first-up in the Queen Of The North and if she runs up to that effort can be in the finish. 11. Vicky's One was never in the hunt in the same race but only beaten under four lengths. Previous form was honest and she can place.

How to play it: Par Avion WIN ($2.10 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Par Avion wins a trial at Taree on January 11

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