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By Ray Hickson

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

2. Maurice’s Medad is a short price for a horse with one win from 20 but he won’t know himself in this company. Placed in a BM88 first-up this prep then went into the Silver Eagle. Massive class drop for him on just about everything he’s contested. Clearly on top. Read jockey Rachel King's comments here.

Dangers: 4. Raffish would be just about a good thing if not for Maurice’s Medad’s presence. Close to a win after placings at Wagga and Wyong and has blinkers on. Logical danger. 6. Crown’m is a 16 start maiden but he’s been racing quite well this time in and recorded his best result so far when runner-up at Port Macquarie last time. Each-way claims. 11. Uptown Boy ran an improved race at his third start to finish fourth at Canberra last week. Might find the lead this time and be hard to beat but faces some stiff opposition.

How to play it: Maurice’s Medad WIN ($1.35 TAB Fixed Odds) Odds & Evens: EVENS.

Maurice’s Medad runs third at Rosehill in September

2. Casirina has been mixing distances of late and probably finds his comfort zone at a mile after hitting the line well for third in the Kempsey Cup off a two month break. Last win was at 1700m at Scone and draws kindly. Should go close.

Dangers: 4. Vancouver Khan hasn’t raced for almost two months since a narrow defeat at Canberra on a heavy track. Lightly raced and has trialled since then, he’s one to keep an eye on. 5. Stay Chill is an ex-Hong Kong galloper who broke through for a soft win at his third run for Kris Lees at Quirindi. Won three races at this distance range in HK and while much harder here he gets weight relief. 3. Vanbari is back a notch in grade on his last couple and fair to say he disappointed at Kempsey after leading. Best form is at the mile so entitled to another chance.

How to play it: Casirina E/W ($5.00 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: EVENS.

Casirina runs third at Kempsey on November 4

6. Thief By Night is a very interesting runner first-up since placing in a handy 2yo race at Tamworth back in April. Trialled well recently and returns as a gelding. Has his chance from a perfect draw.

Dangers: 11. Invest In Love struck a heavy 10 first-up since May and was a beaten favourite but boxed on for third. Fitter for that and strikes a dry track for the first time. Must be respected. 14. Venatic didn’t run up to expectation at Kempsey second-up but if you can be forgiving go on her first-up second over this course back on October 14. Well worth considering. 1. Razzama was rested after leading and holding on for second at Port Macquarie on a heavy track back in May. Locally trained and could show up.

How to play it: Thief By Night WIN ($2.80 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Thief By Night runs third in a Wyong trial on November 7

5. Into The Fire is a big market watch at his first run for Tony Ball after a very quiet trial recently. Form around Dalavin and Quick Tempo is pretty good for a race like this and gets every chance to show up fresh.

Dangers: 4. Time For Victory won three starts back at Port Macquarie and narrowly denied in two starts since then. If anything the drop in trip is against him especially from a wide gate but can’t leave out. 6. Pepper’s Ghost was a drifter in betting first-up at Eagle Farm and got a long way back before finding the line okay late. Wide gate here likely sees him concede a start. Each-way. 3. Kirra Lass gave a big sight first up at Tamworth then on speed and weakened at Wyong after working from a wide gate. Capable of improvement.

How to play it: Into The Fire E/W ($7.00 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Into The Fire’s trial at Port Macquarie on November 10

3. Dante Alighieri seems to be racing in career best form and just needs a breakthrough to cap it off. Led when a solid third at Port Macquarie last time and has the chance to press forward here. Looks a good chance.

Dangers: 4. Echoes Of My Mind is a market watch at his first run for Paul Shailer off one trial. Showed some promise in first two starts so has some ability to be unlocked. 10. Gracious Gracie is a 20 start maiden but she’s often around the mark and is much better placed than first-up over 1100m at Armidale. Drops 3kg and look for her to run well. 6. Power Legend had support last start at Port Macquarie and boxed on okay for fourth in a similar race. Placed here three starts back and is an each-way hope.

How to play it: Dante Alighieri WIN ($4.40 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Dante Alighieri runs third at Port Macquarie on November 10

3. Gobbled was a big drifter in betting and not aided by a wide gate when a gallant fourth at Grafton up to 1420m. Solid winner of successive races prior around this trip and while drawn out again should be in the finish.

Dangers: 4. Gold Card had a shot at a Highway last start after an impressive win over this course. Didn’t measure up but drew wide and best to forgive that. Could easily bounce back. 1. Buck Pharoah won nicely first-up on a heavy 10 then fair effort, not beaten too far, at Kempsey two weeks ago. Distance might be more in his favour this time so likely improver. 7. Don’t Forget Dad rarely misses a place and is fitter for a sound effort when second at Armidale in lesser grade. Down 4kg and drawn soft so don’t overlook.

How to play it: Gobbled WIN ($4.60 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Gobbled runs fourth at Grafton on November 2

2. Greek Hero might have the right set up to stalk the speed and put himself in the finish. Won the Krambach Cup here with 62.5kg then not disgraced at Rosehill. Has to tick the 2000m box but has a good each-way hope.

Dangers: 7. Socrates is charging through the grades with three straight wins, the last couple in Highway grade. Will be prominent from an inside gate and down on the limit weight can be competitive. 1. Military Mission didn’t do a whole lot first-up at 1500m at Randwick but likely to be fitter and much better suited up in trip. He’d only have to produce the form that led him to start $1.95 in the Winter Cup in June to take beating. 9. Proost is another up and comer who has won three straight by big margins at Grafton, Ballina and Kempsey. Could measure up.

How to play it: Greek Hero E/W ($6.50 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Greek Hero wins at Taree on October 14

4. Willinga Freefall ran right up to his short price scoring on debut at Scone back in July and was put straight away. Fitter for two trials and showed tactical speed at only start so can overcome a tricky gate. The one to beat.

Dangers: 1. First Peoples hasn’t raced since April but trialling quite well leading into a return. Has a nice soft gate and if there’s support he should be in the finish. 3. The Orphan won at Tuncurry quite comfortably then shade disappointing at Port Macquarie a month ago. Back onto a good track and well drawn so can bounce back. 13. Metal Bar finally broke through with a maiden win at Dubbo then even effort on a heavy track at Muswellbrook up to this class. If he can make some use of gate one he’s a knockout chance.

How to play it: Willinga Freefall WIN ($4.20 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Willinga Freefall’s trial at Wyong on November 7

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