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By Ray Hickson

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

7. Stratum Chief comes off a complete forgive run at Taree last time where he drew wide and went back. Raced on speed and fought hard when narrowly beaten there prior to that and would be competitive here on that.

Dangers: 1. Press Lightly will be fitter for a first-up second at Scone where he hit the lead and was reeled in. Started $16 there and goes to 1200m. Worth respecting. 12. Uninsurable resumed with a handy effort at Taree running into a close fourth over 1250m a month ago. Yet to feature in the placings but appears to be getting closer and has claims here. 11. Pretty Shamrock has been just behind the placings at her last three. Did some switching off heels at Grafton last time out before running on late. If she gets the breaks she’s a major contender.

How to play it: Stratum Chief E/W ($9.00 TAB Fixed Odds) Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Stratum Chief’s third at Taree on January 9

3. Markwell Dreamer is very close to another win and does appear well placed. Has hit the front and been run down at his past couple, draws to be wherever needed here and should, take beating.

Dangers: 6. Niccyas is a big query first-up for Neil Godbolt without any public trials. Campaigned in Rockhampton last time in for three wins and a second. Market a big pointer. 8. Flash Point had excuses last start but her effort at Taree prior to that was sound enough. She drops sharply in the weights and draws to get her chance. Each-way. 7. Poita has a consistent record and will no doubt run another honest race fresh. Trialled in a strong heat against Country Championships horses and has gate one. Can only run well.

How to play it: Markwell Dreamer WIN ($2.00 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Markwell Dreamer runs second at Newcastle on January 17

9. Jimmy Manolo refused to settle at Canberra when right in the market, opening a break on the field midrace before just battling as you’d expect late. Blinkers off, nice soft draw and still lightly raced. He’s hard to beat.

Dangers: 2. Mariinsky was a shade disappointing at Taree a couple of weeks back but on his second over this course in a Class 1 two runs back he’s a huge chance. Will need some early luck to find a spot but must include. 8. Crown’m is now up to 22 starts without a win but he continues to threaten as he did when well supported at Taree last start. Beaten narrowly here back in December and has each-way claims. 6. Grecian Lass may be under the odds. She’s had every chance in three runs back. If she is to improve on her latest at Gosford over a mile it could come from the extra trip. Blinkers come off, you have to throw her in.

How to play it: Jimmy Manolo WIN ($3.60 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Jimmy Manolo runs fourth at Canberra on February 3

12. Ninja Star ran last in a small field on a heavy track at Kembla when resuming and wasn’t beaten too far. Less depth here, fitter and an extra 200m are all pluses. Expect she will be a sharp improver.

Dangers: 7. Red Cobra also disappointed when resuming on a wet track, he was well in the market and battled into sixth at Wyong. Regularly fancied in his races and he’s also open to improvement in a winnable race. 6. My Artie put a couple of nice placings together at Muswellbrook before not firing at Scone when a big drifter in betting. Entitled to another chance despite the wide gate. 11. Miss Prophet has mixed her form but if she can produce a similar effort to her last start fourth at Taree, where she made plenty of ground from well back, she has claims.

How to play it: Ninja Star WIN ($2.20 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Ninja Star’s first-up run at Kembla Grange

7. De Lovely Lad is racing consistently and placed in all three runs since a maiden win back in December. Led in his last couple so expect he’ll roll forward again and look to take catching.

Dangers: 11. Red Lantern broke through at start nine with a popular maiden win at Port Macquarie where he had a nice enough run and proved too strong. Sure to enjoy a soft passage again and could measure up. 1. Bottom Bar wasn't disgraced at big odds in a provincial Class 1 at Gosford. Needs some luck from the barrier but has a case to run well. 3. Lanks finally broke through at start 19 with a nice win at Walcha. Is racing well and can be in the finish.

How to play it: De Lovely Lad WIN ($4.60 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: ODDS.

10. Lady Goodfellow has struck top form in 2023 and she was game in defeat in Grafton off the outside gate a few weeks back. Again drawn wide but the mile suits and if she can find a spot without too much trouble she should feature.

Dangers: 9. Shades Of Frisco is one from 26 but is racing in consistent form with a string of recent placings. Led and been reeled in at her past two but has stuck on well. Back in class and well worth including. 3. Killzy has raced without luck lately but he was a shade disappointing when favourite at Port Macquarie last week. Blinkers go on and with any luck he could be an improver. 4. Wonfontein has been a bit below par at her last couple but if she could ind her form from Kempsey two months ago she’d be an each-way chance here.

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

Lady Goodfellow runs third at Grafton on January 22

1. Sir Ravanelli looks well set up to run a big race here on his home track and he should if he can get a little bit of early luck. Settled brilliantly first-up from a two month break and did it easily under 61.5kg. That’s the key, if he settles he’ll be a force.

Dangers: 6. Evocator had no luck at all in a Highway at Rosehill a month ago and has won a tickover trial since, finding the line easily. Blinkers on and drawn soft. He looks a huge threat. 3. Swamp Nation won this race last year at Taree and showed she is on target with a strong win at Coffs Harbour last month. The form has stood up and she can’t be overlooked. 12. Little Prophet was runner-up last year and her effort in the same Highway as Swamp Nation was a sneakily good one. She loomed to win but found the 1100-1500 too much of an ask. Better suited here and could surprise. 13. Agirlsbestfriend has a big finish on her and readied for this with a solid Highway fourth two weeks ago.

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

Sir Ravanelli wins at Port Macquarie on January 20

8. Never Sorry skips a grade after winning a maiden off a two month break, first run for the Lees yard, but it was a strong win and she looks to have more upside than most. Draws to get a perfect run this time and she has each-way hopes at least.

Dangers: 1. Reggie’s Boy started a well supported favourite at Newcastle two weeks ago and just seemed to battle to pick them up when running fifth. Couple of provincial placings prior to that so will appreciate the drop in class. Worth another chance. 2. Elarski went down as a$1,70 favourite at Port Macquarie a month ago. Can be a little forgiving as the field did break up quite a bit in the middle stages. Should run well. 4. Velvet Haze won easily when resuming at Kempsey but pulled up lame when well beaten on Boxing Day as a $5 chance. Might pay to be forgiving of that.

How to play it: Never Sorry E/W ($9.00 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Never Sorry wins at Port Macquarie on January 20

All the entries, form and replays for Sunday's Country Championships meeting at Tuncurry