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By Ray Hickson

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

8. Miss Fennell has been runner-up in all three starts to date and odds-on in her two runs back. Blew the start first-up and did a big job then led and seemed to have her chance last time. Up to 1400m now and if she gets the start right she’ll be on speed and hard to run down.

Dangers: 4. Shine Like It Does has placed in five of eight starts and ran on into second placing over this course second-up. Big weight drop with the claim and has to be a major threat. 6. Jenni Divine showed improvement at her third run back with a solid second over 1200m here. That was her best effort in five starts so has to back it up now. 1. Launch Mode is another honest type now up to 14 starts without winning but placed in both runs back. Draws a lot better this time so has to be included in the chances.

How to play it: Miss Fennell WIN ($1.70 TAB Fixed Odds).

Miss Fennell runs second at Wagga on January 9

4. Warpainted showed promise winning a maiden at Corowa at his second start then excuses in a brutally run race over the mile at Wagga a couple of weeks ago. Boxed on okay there and in this field he’ll get the chance to figure prominently.

Dangers: 8. Pimpernel broke into the placings for the first time with an improved third at Tumut last week beaten half a length. Goes up in distance now which may suit and he’s an each-way chance. 1. Divine Conclusion raced on the speed at Corowa and faded last time but this is a step down in grade, slightly, and his form back in the late spring would be good enough to put him in the finish. 2. Magicholler had a nice run when winning at Benalla two runs back then never in the hunt at all at Wodonga. Inclined to forgive that and gets the chance to improve from the draw.

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

Warpainted runs fourth at Wagga on January 9

2. Victory Roll will provide a decent rival. He was even first-up in the Moruya Cup then led and just cut down in the Cowra Cup last week. Proven out to this sort of trip and is a good chance.

Dangers: 4. Ashau Valley won nicely at Albury two starts ago then up in class he just missed over a mile here three weeks ago. Has placed at 2000m and is an each-way chance. 6. Zontawah was an impressive winner at 1800m on the Riverside track then didn’t repeat the effort over the same trip on the main Wagga track. Has an each-way chance.

How to play it: Victory Roll WIN ($2.10 TAB Fixed Odds).

3. Just Google Me did a good job when resuming on Christmas Eve to be narrowly beaten on the Riverside. Down in class so up sharply in weight but drawn well and he has plenty of upside.

Dangers: 1. Cooee has been too good in both starts to date at Albury and resumes since his win over 1400m back in June. Big weight but drawn well and hard to leave out. 10. Dupli Kate won first-up last preparation and was honest in three more runs with a couple of placings. Still lightly raced and draws well so she could easily make an impact.

How to play it: Just Google Me WIN ($2.60 TAB Fixed Odds).

3. Calmer Karma looks to have struck some form with a much improved second at Nowra a couple of weeks ago on a heavy track. Overall form suggests he’s better on top of the ground and has drawn ideally to get his chance to break a run of outs.

Dangers: 7. Guru Two is an up and comer who enjoyed a good run before converting with a win at Wodonga earlier this month. Attracted good support there and ran right up to it. Could go on with the job up in class. 4. Finn’s The Icon has a wide gate to overcome but did run well fresh last time in and with any luck can be competitive. 11. Midnight Affair has her first run for the Nick Olive stable and has trialled okay for a first-up run. Check betting.

How to play it: Calmer Karma EACH-WAY ($6.50 TAB Fixed Odds).

Calmer Karma runs second at Nowra on January 12

12. Rach had no luck at all on debut in what has been a strong maiden so far then tried hard when beaten in a close finish at Kensington. One of a number here to chase the $100,000 bonus, she’s drawn nicely and should have her chance to break through.

Dangers: 7. Majorca Sunset ran well in a good quality maiden at Nowra then unlucky in a small field at Randwick on Boxing running a close third. Doesn’t have to improve any from a form perspective and just needs the luck in running to be in the finish. 6. Cougars is another who isn’t far off a win after a narrow defeat at Nowra on a heavy track. He’s honest and is one of the chances. 17. Insain was well in the market on debut at Nowra but couldn't sustain the run after racing wide. Drawn out here but chance with any luck.

How to play it: Rach WIN ($3.00 TAB Fixed Odds).

Rach runs third at Kensington on January 15

5. Hulm had a faultless early preparation in the country then campaigned in Melbourne in the early spring and ran a couple of fourths. Much better suited here, drawn well and sure to be prominent for a long way.

Dangers: 9. Starlight Girl has won four from 10 and was simply too good when leading all the way at Moruya last week. Sure to give a good account again. 2. Kattegat is rarely too far away at this sort of level and will put in as usual from a soft draw. Each-way chance. 3. Mr Moppett has failed at his last couple in stronger races and chance to find his best here back in grade.

How to play it: Hulm WIN ($2.60 TAB Fixed Odds).

3. Bravissima was always in control and was never threatened in winning first-up at Nowra almost a month ago. Won’t find this any harder, sure to be fitter, and has the draw once again to get a perfect run. She’s clearly the horse to beat.

Dangers: 1. Dolly has missed a place once in 10 starts and while she had her chance at Corowa she stayed on well to run a close second. Right in this. 2. He’s My Warrior has been even in two runs back from a spell at 1200m and is ready for the step up in trip. Will need some early luck from the barrier but has to be considered. 8. Gijima Gal didn't have the best of luck when runner-up at Tumut last week and could show up.

How to play it: Bravissima WIN ($2.15 TAB Fixed Odds).

Bravissima wins at Nowra on December 31

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