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By Ray Hickson

Tips and race by race preview by Ray Hickson for Thursday’s Wagga meeting. Selections based on a soft track.

1. Bleue’s Choice is lightly raced and hasn’t finished worse than second in four runs this prep. Hit the lead at Gundagai last time and was run down late, in this field he should be prominent for a long way and has a chance to go one better.

Dangers: 7. Mo More Chicken is back from two runs at Coffs Harbour where she’s been competitive thought last time gave away a big start after drawing wide. May well be closer in the run this time and only win to date was here. Go well. 5. Miss Elsie May rarely runs a bad race and resumes after a close up fourth at Albury back in May. Her record on her home track is excellent without winning and she can be placed again at least. 3. Royal Gun Salute is an interesting runner making his local debut. Two SA runs this time in only fair but if there’s any support it might be worth including him.

How to play it: Bleue’s Choice WIN ($2.50 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Bleue’s Choice runs second at Gundagai on August 2

1. Landmine can run well first-up at each-way odds especially if there’s a bit of pace on early. Honest type who is usually around the mark on his home track and though he’s better at 1200m he’s not badly weighted after the claim.

Dangers: 9. Eastern Breeze has won twice at Narrandera this time in and defied them in a Benchmark 50 there on August 14. Up in class but down in weight and has an on pace pattern so will give a sight. 5. Zarsnip surged late to score at Gundagai a couple of weeks ago on a heavy 10 and while back in trip here he’s drawn to get a soft run and should be strong late again. 7. Denim Street ran a nice race fresh at Cowra but was never in the hunt last time at Goulburn, best to overlook that. She could run into a placing here.

How to play it: Landmine E/W ($14 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Landmine wins at Wagga in January

2. Bonvalante didn’t go at all at Narrandera last start but her two previous runs at this track were excellent on heavy ground. Slightly better track won’t worry, he’s drawn nicely and can bounce back. Each-way chance.

Dangers: 12. Pay The Deeler has only won once in 20 starts but is right on the cusp after a couple of seconds on end. She’s been racing on heavy tracks and slightly better ground will likely help her cause. Go well. 3. C’mon Reg led all the way to break through at Kembla Grange before a battling fourth at Goulburn, which was also a provincial race. Comes down slightly in grade and sure to give a good sight. 4. Gaylard disappointed on the synthetic three weeks ago but form before that was sound enough on the grass. Draws well, placed at this trip three starts back and is in the mix.

How to play it: Bonvalante E/W ($7.50 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: EVENS.

Bonvalante wins at Wagga on July 5

1. Nothing Compares is clearly on top here. Too good over a mile at Moruya then gave a big sight in a Highway at Randwick earlier this month. Gets in well with the claim and will be right on the speed. Take beating.

Dangers: 5. Perfect Pitch is fitter for two Highway runs back and she wasn’t disgraced in the latest at Kembla. While her strike rate isn’t great she is often around the placings and this class suits. Definite chance. 6. Just Business was safely held in the Highway that Nothing Compares contested then rebounded to win on a heavy track at Albury. He’s one of the main chances here. 9. Dismayed has struck top form with two wins from his last four and was game in scoring at Narrandera from near the speed. Yet to fire at this track but has to be considered.

How to play it: Nothing Compares WIN ($2.70 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Nothing Compares runs fourth at Randwick on August 7

4. Titled is a huge query sight unseen since coming from New Zealand to the Matthew Dale yard. Ran fourth in a Listed race at his second start and in a race with plenty of question marks he’s the one to watch.

Dangers: 6. Flying Squad has the best exposed form it would seem though she did have a perfect run and every chance at Kensington second-up. Good effort fresh at Kembla and the third horse from that race has since won. Chance here. 3. Giddy Up Gidleigh was only just warming up at the finish as he ran into third on debut at Moruya over 920m earlier this month. Sure to appreciate more ground here and has a case. 2. Daly Heads is an interesting first starter who has trialled quite strongly twice in the past month. Check betting but wouldn’t surprise if he shows something.

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

9. Dantain’s Magic should be a big improver on what she showed second-up at Corowa on a heavy 10, she went back after drawing wide and was never in it. Nice fresh run but will be better on a soft track and she’s always run well here. Good chance.

Dangers: 2. Blackall was placed at Hawkesbury when resuming last prep and trialled quite strongly leading into this first-up run. Should be competitive. 14. Twig is on debut for the Matthew Dale yard and with just one public trial. She didn’t set the world alight in the trial but worked home okay. Guided by the market but keep safe with gate one. 3. Blessed Award showed improvement from his NSW debut at Goulburn to run a close second at Narrandera recently. Both runs were at 1000m and he shapes as though he’ll appreciate a little further. Blinkers on and he’s an each-way chance.

How to play it: Dantain’s Magic E/W ($6.00 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Dantain’s Magic’s first-up run at Narrandera on July 18

2. Another One hasn’t raced since his game second in the Country Championships Final but showed his readiness with a nice trial effort here a couple of weeks ago. Handles all conditions, draws well and loves his home track. The one to beat. Read trainer Gary Colvin's comments here.

Dangers: 7. Lady Brook just lasted to dead heat first-up at 1000m and wasn’t far off Another One in the Championships Qualifier before her break. She’s an on pacer who will give a very good account with the run under her belt, especially with Peyton Place scratched. 6. Ruthless Agent can be a bit hit and miss but he didn’t disgraced fresh at Gosford a month ago. Has run well here previously and he could be an upset hope. 3. Forever Newyork is aided by the scratchings and it wouldn't surprise if he ran into a place first-up. Honest, likes his home track and has been in the finish more often than not first-up.

How to play it: Another One WIN ($1.70 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Another One runs second in a Wagga trial on August 8

3. Blitzar is a handy horse resuming and it’s a race that looks a good opportunity for him. Close up behind Lady Brook three runs back and fitter for his trial here two weeks ago. Yet to win first-up but rarely runs poorly. Hard to beat.

Dangers: 8. Hardy romped in on debut here in April and was softened up a little fresh when run down as favourite at Moruya two Sundays ago. Fitter and while up in class he shows promise and must be respected. 5. Nic’s Hero finished third at Narrandera two starts back but has won all three starts this prep on this track either side of that run. Hard to knock and is one of the main hopes. 2. Mnementh went off the boil at the end of last prep but his first two runs were excellent and would put him in contention in this sort of race.

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

Blitzar runs third in a Wagga trial on August 8

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