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By Ray Hickson

Tips and race by race preview by Ray Hickson for Sunday’s Sapphire Coast meeting. Selections based on a soft track.

8. Christmas Star returns for her second preparation having debuted at Wagga back in March with an even third over 1000m. Odds-on favourite in that race but not beaten far. Resumes in blinkers and if she’s come back improved she should take beating.

Dangers: 1. Daicos had excuses first-up at Canberra on the synthetic. He was slowly out and raced wide for the most part and couldn’t finish off. Much kinder draw this time and smaller field and he’s well worth another chance. 5. Simply Splendid is a stablemate to the favourite and she’s worth keeping safe after just the one public trial at Queanbeyan where she wasn’t pushed out. 2. Flashy Icon is another stepping out for the first time on the back of a Queanbeyan trial where he was unplaced but again not fully tested. Check betting for a pointer.

How to play it: Christmas Star WIN ($1.80 TAB Fixed Odds).

Christmas Star runs third at Wagga in March

5. Fire And Gemstone chased hard into a close second over this course two runs back then jumped to 1500m and wasn’t as effective at Goulburn last week. Prepared to overlook latest and if he runs up to the previous effort he’s a good chance.

Dangers: 7. Shelly’s Ace sat outside the lead and powered away for an easy fresh win at Cowra on a heavy track. Looked strong there and should be a major threat. 1. Heart Of Vancouver has been around the mark without winning and boxed on in a close finish at Moruya in a similar sort of race. Has a case. 3. Selhurst Park found the line pretty well when a much improved second at Moruya over the short 930m. Gets in well with the claim and has each-way claims.

How to play it: Fire And Gemstone EACH-WAY ($6.50 TAB Fixed Odds).

Fire And Gemstone runs second at Sapphire Coast on June 9

2. Ken’ker didn’t appear to love the heavy ground first-up at Goulburn just battling on to run fourth. Will be a lot fitter for that run, though, and shapes as though the extra ground will suit. Entitled to another chance.

Dangers: 1. Flying Jewel had some support at Moruya last time but didn’t fire. Previous two runs were sound including a placing here on a heavy 10 and he’s another that can bounce back. 7. Kickamushu ran a handy race two starts back but wasn’t up to the task at Wyong last week. Forgive that and she can be competitive here. 6. Blazing Beverley has had six start without a placing to date, firs-up run had some merit before never a chance on the synthetic at Canberra. Looks a place hope.

How to play it: Ken’ker WIN ($2.90 TAB Fixed Odds).

Ken’ker runs fourth at Goulburn on July 5

7. Devine Outcast was an impressive come from behind winner first-up then again at Moruya two weeks ago had excuses when beaten a length in fifth. Get a handy claim and win last prep was over this track and distance. Go well.

Dangers: 1. Highballer shaped up well when resuming with a close second at Nowra then back to city company and didn’t measure up at Warwick Farm. Much easier here and with the claim is a winning chance. 4. Crystal Waters will find this a bit easier than last couple though only has to run up to Kembla placing two starts back to be a major hope. Prefers a bit of sting out of the ground and gets that here. 8. Spritely Emily has struck form of late and beaten in a tight finish at Moruya two weeks ago over a similar trip. In the mix.

How to play it: Devine Outcast EACH-WAY ($6.00 TAB Fixed Odds).

Devine Outcast runs fifth at Moruya on July 12

2. Craft ran up to a promising first-up effort with a narrow defeat at Narrandera two weeks ago. Was a drifter in betting there but went down fighting. Mile is perfect for him and has drawn ideally. Lightly raced and sure to be in the finish.

Dangers: 4. Order To Charge was an easy maiden winner at Newcastle then sat handy and stayed on okay at Scone (provincial meeting) earlier this month. Racing well and should be competitive again. 8. Mulvader found himself a long way back at Moruya last time and did a good job to work through and run third. Won only start here and stays under notice. 9. Pauji Power has only raced three times and won well second-up at Moruya in March over a similar trip then fair effort at Doomben. Resuming and the trip suits fresh.

How to play it: Craft WIN ($5.00 TAB Fixed Odds).

Craft runs second at Narrandera on July 14

2. Gunnaheadovski hasn’t raced for a year but it was a cheeky performance behind Pereille in town. Given an easy enough time in a recent trial and if he runs up to that debut effort at Kensington he’ll be hard to beat.

Dangers: 1. McKenzie was thrown in the deep end somewhat at his stable debut at Warwick Farm earlier this month and he faded after racing handy. Did start in the market there so well worth another chance back to country grade. 8. Kurrajong was sent to Rosehill for his public barrier trial and while only beating one home he did work to the line well enough. Draws the inside and in good yard so well worth keeping an eye on. 4. One Smart Cookie led and was run down as favourite here two starts back then five weeks between runs and faded at Grafton after leading again. Capable of bouncing back.

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

Gunnaheadovski’s trial at Moruya on July 12

4. Jinsoku has come back in super form and followed up a sound placing when resuming with a dominant win off a wide gate with 60kg at Moruya. Up in class of course but he’s found a wide open race and can measure up.

Dangers: 11. Fourcade started double figures when resuming at Moruya and tried hard when runner-up over this sort of trip. Will be fitter and stays down in the weights. Definite chance. 5. Vegas Dream was placed at Albury and Goulburn before finishing just behind the placings in two provincial starts. Back a notch here and should be around the mark again. 8. Sassy Missile hasn’t raced since winning over a mile at this track back in February. Won on debut too. Trialled at Hawkesbury earlier this month and could sprint well fresh again.

How to play it: Jinsoku WIN ($5.00 TAB Fixed Odds).

Jinsoku wins at Moruya on July 12

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