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By Ray Hickson

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

3. Deepmind is a market watch on debut on the back of a very quiet trial at Canberra in his only public appearance. In top stable, drawn okay and if there’s support it’ll suggest he is expected to run well.

Dangers: 1. Big Time Charlie finished just ahead of Deepmind in the same trial, also his only hitout, two weeks ago. He may have been under a little more pressure as he edged past into third. Gap in the market between them probably shouldn’t be so big. Keep safe. 11. Lots Of Fiddies hasn’t raced since a handy debut at Wagga back in October. Close second in a recent trial and while drawn wide the grey could easily show up. 7. Diamond Carat is the big query runner, only start was at Sale in October and started $5 before running fourth. No public trials, drawn wide but scratchings are helping. Could feature.

How to play it: Deepmind WIN ($2.30 TAB Fixed Odds) Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Deepmind runs fourth in a Canberra trial on February 4

7. Street Cred was a month between runs when just knocking up late into fourth over 2000m here a few weeks back. Fitter for that, drawn well and drops 3kg after the claim. Should race handy and be hard to beat.

Dangers: 1. She’s All In is very well placed at the weights considering her high rating and she boxed on pretty well for third in the Bega Cup last time out. Small query at the 1800m but she looks to get some on pace favours and is a threat. 4. Think More led all the way to beat two rivals at Albury on heavy then back on top of the ground and up in class he ran a solid third in the same race as Street Cred. Sure to be around the mark again. 2. Roman is only third-up here so is open to more improvement than most and on his first-up Moruya Cup third he’d have to be a contender.

How to play it: Street Cred WIN ($6.50 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Street Cred runs fourth at Wagga on January 26

1. Deep Space is generally an on pacer but went up in the air at the start last time at Albury and settled near last. Ran on well into fifth there but that’s not his go. Drawn to find the lead here if he jumps with them and is well worth another chance.

Dangers: 6. Our Baez gave away an impossible start after dragging back from a wide gate in a Highway at Randwick a month ago and hit the line well. Honest type with a big finish and smaller field suits. Must be respected. 3. Magnetic enjoyed a nice run and sprinted away the last 200m to win the Albury race Deep Space was favourite in. Worse off at the weights but hard to ignore. 2. Oh No Mikki is lightly raced and resumes after a consistent spring prep. Won her first two before being competitive up in class and is well worth including in the chances.

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

Deep Space runs fifth at Albury on February 3

6. Hello Jack looks well placed here at his third start and based on his efforts to date looks close to a win. Well backed on debut when third at Canberra then took good late ground at Sapphire Coast, the winner there has since won again. Back to 1200m here and chance to go one better.

Dangers: 7. Merry Beach started odds-on at debut and tried hard when runner-up here then disappointed after getting well back at Goulburn. Winkers go on and drawn the inside so entitled to another look. 3. Onya Lional has come back in good order with seconds at both starts and only just missed at Canberra two weeks ago. If he runs up to that he’s in the finish somewhere here. 11. Anchorage was formerly with the Snowdens and started twice at the provincials in the spring without showing up. No public trials for the Dale yard and drawn wide but keep very safe.

How to play it: Hello Jack WIN ($2.50 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Hello Jack runs second at Sapphire Coast on January 30

11. Diamond Star is an up and comer who overcame a wide run to win here second-up in a maiden. Then solid effort in this grade at Goulburn up to this distance. This doesn’t appear a whole lot harder and she’s a good chance.

Dangers: 1. Isola Sacra comes back in class after she hit the line well at her local debut in the Championships Preview at Albury. That form is good enough to win this, just a small query whether she’s looking for more ground based on her NZ form. 7. Loose Love drew wide and went back first-up at Canberra but ran on well to be beaten just over two lengths. Extra 200m a plus and if he backs that run up he’s an each-way hope. 2. Dunvegan scored a narrow maiden win at 1300m here before an even effort at Albury up to Class 1. Generally not too far away and can improve.

How to play it: Diamond Star WIN ($3.70 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Diamond Star runs third at Goulburn on February 6

10. Geminids seems to be looking for this sort of trip and shapes as an each-way chance. Placed past couple at 1200m and was strong late behind Diamond Star here last month. Has a tricky gate but with any luck can be right in the finish.

Dangers: 6. Kaurava showed improvement on her debut effort with a closing third at Albury over 1175m. Perhaps drawn a little better here and the extra distance might well suit. Must be included. 5. Salute Again didn’t do a whole lot at his first two starts but much improved showing when runner-up at Albury two weeks ago. On the up and no surprise if he’s placed again. 9. Bring A Dame is an interesting runner first-up at 1400m. Runner-up both starts at Wagga and breezed home into third in a trial a month ago. Could surprise.

How to play it: Geminids E/W ($10 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: EVENS.

Geminids runs third at Wagga on January 26

1. Emma’s Gift won well first-up in this grade then up in class, five weeks between runs, started favourite, and had no luck at all with a wide run in the Championships Preview at Wagga last week. Nicely in with the claim and drawn well. All things being equal she’s entitled to go very close.

Dangers: 3. Stand Your Ground didn’t come up in two runs in October and was spelled. She will get a long way back and you’ll know if she’s back to her best, because if she is she will be the one steaming down the outside late. 7. Certain Shaft can mix form but resumes since June and with no public trials so he’s a betting watch. His best form is good enough to put him in the finish somewhere. 2. Gironde might be running into some form with a couple of closing efforts at Wagga and Albury getting back from wide gates. Drawn soft this time and could be dangerous.

How to play it: Emma’s Gift WIN ($2.50 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Emma’s Gift runs fifth at Wagga on February 10

6. Another One won this race last year in a thrilling finish before finishing second in the Final. One run back and he wasn’t disgraced in a BM88 at Rosehill where he it was hard to make ground. Fitter for that, the 1400m suits better and if he’s at his best he’s clearly the horse to beat. Read jockey Nick Heywood's comments here.

Dangers: 7. Blitzar started well in the market in this race last year but is arguably going better with two excellent runs back. Too good fresh at 1000m then unlucky behind Halo Warrior in the Preview on February 10. Danger. 1. Mnementh beat Blitzar first-up last prep then won again at Leeton before failing at Canterbury. He’s been set for this first-up, he fires fresh, he likes this track and his latest trial showed he’s in good order. Read trainer Mitchell Beer's comments here. 3. Oamanikka can be hit and miss but his best has him right in the finish. Overlook first-up run at Caulfield where he was never a chance over 1100m but he did win second-up last prep at this track. Each-way.

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

Another One’s first-up run at Rosehill on January 29

All the fields, form and replays for Saturday’s Country Championships meeting at Wagga