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By Ray Hickson

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

5. Voldemort comes off a couple of synthetic trials which is always a query but he did look very comfortable in his close second just over a week ago. Nicely bred colt and expect him to run well.

Dangers: 9. Heiress Hera chased home Lady Laguna in a trial a month ago also on the synthetic ran third at Randwick earlier in the month. Likely to go forward and stable should be respected here. 4. Inca Empire has trialled once at Hawkesbury and you had to like the way he performed there running a close second. No surprise if he shows up. 8. Eurydice drew wide first-up behind Promitto where she held her ground okay for third. Has the rails here and added fitness so she’s a likely threat.

How to play it: Voldemort WIN ($4.40 TAB Fixed Odds) Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Voldemort runs second in a trial at Warwick Farm on March 11

1. The Dramatist started odds-on first-up at Mudgee and had no luck at all in the straight, going to the line hard held beaten two lengths. Looks a better set up not drawing the fence this time and chance to atone.

Dangers: 2. Fashion Fort from the Waterhouse/Bott yard hasn’t set the world on fire in his trials but you’d expect from an inside gate he’ll be prominent and if there’s support it should be followed. 7. Miss Laquetta was a drifting favourite second-up at Muswellbrook and disappointed. Her form last prep would suggest she can win a maiden so give another chance. 9. Imperioness made ground from last on debut at Dubbo to finish midfield beaten a couple of lengths. Extra 200m a plus and she could be placed.

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

The Dramatist’s first-up run at Mudgee on February 27

10. Scarzel appears the logical horse to beat, he showed promise last prep with three placings and was an easy trial winner at Tamworth a month ago. Speedy type drawn to lead and will be hard to run down.

Dangers: 2. Back To Front had support at odds and ran right up to it with a closing second at Scone a month ago over this trip. If he runs up to that he’ll be in the mix. 8. Protostar knows how to win trials, had three rivals when winning a trial at Muswellbrook recently and is another market watch. 3. Burdekin resumed in the same race as Back To Front and boxed on for a handy third. Drawn nicely so keep in mind.

How to play it: Scarzel WIN ($4.00 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: EVENS.

Scarzel wins a trial at Tamworth on February 22

6. The Mystery Guy is on the up and overcame a wide gate to win running away over a mile at Dubbo a couple of weeks back. Shapes like the extra 100m will be perfect for him and it’s a winnable race. Hard to beat.

Dangers: 7. Keen Contributer ran a fair race in a Highway last month then well supported favourite when chasing home Hemsworth over 1500m at Muswellbrook. Sure to be thereabouts again. 2. Jack Duggan has been around the placings in two runs back and perhaps the extra trip and return to firmer footing will be in his favour. Must be considered. 3. Read My Future showed improvement second-up at Newcastle and expecting similar improvement here back onto a good track, up 100m and from a nice draw.

How to play it: The Mystery Guy WIN ($2.15 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

The Mystery Guy wins at Dubbo on March 4

2. Super Bright has started favourite in both appearances and sprinted sharply to hit the front at Gosford last start only to be grabbed late. Nicely drawn, suited here and should be right in the finish again.

Dangers: 7. Robarge is racing in peak form and she led all the way at Taree a month ago to what was a very soft win. Yet to miss a place, should be on the speed somewhere and can measure up. 3. Water Dove seemed to have her chance when resuming at Taree, leading without too much trouble only to be run down. Has two wins and four seconds from six starts so is hard to knock. 1. Sungblue had two starts in November for a win and third at Gosford, no recent public trials so is a big market watch.

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

Super Bright runs second at Gosford on February 19

6. Essoess was also freshened up and came back to 1200m last time so he’ll be open to some improvement on what he showed at Port Macquarie. Form around this trip is handy and is a good each-way chance.

Dangers: 8. Morgenstern mixes his form but showed something late at Cowra last time so he could be ready to show something on the bigger track. Will get back but look for him running home. 9. Typhoon Tavi had it very easy when breaking through for her maiden win at Goulburn on a heavy track at odds-on. Will roll forward here and could take running down. 2. First Peoples isn't far off another win after seconds at her past two. Bumped into a promising type at Newcastle last time and is right in this.

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

Essoess runs fourth at Port Macquarie on March 10

9. Edit should get a tempo to enable him the chance to sweep home down the outside from the second half of the field. Brilliant first-up last prep then fourth in the Kosciuszko and five lengths from Eduardo last start reads well for this. The one to beat. Read trainer Cody Morgan's comments here.

Dangers: 4. Banju will roll forward and put himself somewhere in the first few in running and he always stays on strongly. Far from disgraced at Tamworth with almost two months between runs, will be fitter and likely harder to beat. 6. Philipsburg was in the market first-up in the strong Nowra Championships and wasn’t disgraced beaten two lengths. Since fitter for a second at Canterbury on a heavy track and has drawn to get the right run. Capable of showing up. 7. Wren’s Day is coming off a long break since his second in last year’s Tamworth Cup. Has been trialling well, draws to have his chance and as the highest rated horse in the race should be respected.

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

Edit wins a trial at Tamworth on February 22

4. Akasaki is much better suited here than he has been lately and he does love his home track. Made a long wide run under 60kg at Quirindi last time and wasn’t disgraced beaten under two lengths. Down 2.5kg and drawn well. Good chance.

Dangers: 15. Step On Fire came off a long break and performed quite nicely though safely held in third at Tamworth a month ago. Better for it, drawn to be handier and is worth including in the major hopes. 1. Bugalugs has been racing well in midweek metro company and was a little unlucky when third at Canterbury last time behind Sixgun. Has a wide gate to contend with but take beating on form. 6. Primal Scream can’t be left out coming off wins at Walcha and Quirindi. Will put himself there somewhere and only has to hold form to be competitive.

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

Akasaki’s last run at Quirindi on February 18

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