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By Ray Hickson

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

2. Hot Extraction has had a few chances but can’t fault his consistency of late and is sure to give a sight. Crossed to lead from a wide gate at Mudgee last time and boxed on well for third. Back in trip and gets another chance to hold them off.

Dangers: 6. Charge Away has missed a place just once in seven starts and been runner-up her past two. Had her chance at Parkes last time but at peak after three runs back so worth another look. 1. Conversations ran well at Bathurst on Anzac Day then drew wide at Mudgee and wasn’t disgraced in the same race as Hot Extraction. Worse off at the weights but drawn favourably. 4. Thor’s Lightning has placed in one of five starts and was ridden up to win his trial at Muswellbrook a couple of weeks ago. Stays under notice first-up.

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

Hot Extraction runs third at Mudgee on May 12

10. Our Celebrity is the logical horse to beat with three placings from as many starts. She’s been solid each-way odds on each occasion and stayed on well from on the speed. Jumped 300m into her last run at Parkes so likely to be better for it. Good chance.

Dangers: 6. Bling Empire ran well over this course about six weeks ago then a month between runs and drew wide at Parkes before going back and not being effective. Much softer draw this time around and entitled to another chance. 7. Divine Belle started in the market in two runs in Victoria and finished unplaced. Switched stables and bears close watching in a winnable race. 8. Hot Gospel is another switching states and stables and comes back in trip having run over 2100m at Benalla on April 5. Interesting to see how she measures up on the fresh side.

How to play it: Our Celebrity WIN ($2.50 TAB Fixed Odds).

Our Celebrity runs second at Parkes on May 19

5. Flight Or Fight was beaten at Brewarrina when resuming after a six month break and is sure to be fitter. Placed twice over this course last preparation so if she runs up to those efforts she will be competitive here.

Dangers: 3. Lanwar is an interesting runner who trialled well back in June last year at Parkes but hasn’t been seen publicly since. Betting a guide. In good hands and with any luck from the tricky gate could show up. 7. Rebel Love was placed at Goulburn two runs back then in the market when she ventured to Warrnambool but wasn’t a factor after getting well back. In new stable and on previous run is worth considering. 8. Desirous is a two-year-old taking on older horses, formerly with Richard and Will Freedman. Another worth keeping an eye on.

How to play it: Flight Or Fight EACH-WAY ($26 TAB Fixed Odds).

Flight Or Fight’s first-up run at Wellington in October

4. Autofocus was a popular maiden winner in April at Moree then drifter in the betting and game in defeat at Tamworth up to a Class 1. Just over a month between runs now but done nothing wrong and should be a major player.

Dangers: 3. Big Wandji went down narrowly over 1100m here when resuming then too strong at Narromine up 200m. Races on speed and every chance to back up that win. 8. Mrs Bull has won once in 27 starts but she’s collected 16 placings including three on end. Started favourite over this course last time and worked home into third. Must be considered. 5. Bulla Vinaka was only warming up at the finish when midfield at Cootamundra when resuming. Fitter for it and the extra trip a plus. No surprise to see some improvement.

How to play it: Autofocus WIN ($3.10 TAB Fixed Odds).

Autofocus runs second at Tamworth on April 26

3. Star Of Kings is a speedy type who was just cut down in a similar race over this course about six weeks ago. Rarely runs a bad one over the shorter courses and if he finds the front he’ll take some running down.

Dangers: 1. Hurn Court charged home from the back to run fifth in the same race as Star Of Kings at his latest appearance. Risks a similar scenario here but sure to be running on again. 2. Sightseer was a drifter in betting first-up at Scone last month and just battled to beat a few home. Form last time in was certainly good enough and from the draw should get the right run. Capable of lifting. 8. Champers Girl hasn't done a lot in two runs back but if she could reproduce her form of last spring she'd be a knockout chance.

How to play it: Star Of Kings WIN ($2.80 TAB Fixed Odds).

Star Of Kings runs second at Wellington on April 14

3. De Forerunner handled the drop to 1100m with ease to score a soft win at Mudgee on heavy ground a couple of weeks ago and appears well placed. Game third in the Soldier’s Saddle at Bathurst prior at this trip and looks the one to beat again.

Dangers: 6. Dream Game was an easy winner over 1400m at Coonamble before dropping to 1200m at Parkes and finding it too sharp. Good effort to finish fifth, though. From the inside gate he’ll have the chance to settle closer. Go well. 1. Macchina Volante will appreciate a bit of a class drop on his last couple and he wasn’t beaten far in the Parkes Cup last time. Been a while between wins now but not badly in with the claim. 8. Brogans Creek would be a chance if he runs up to his second placing in the Soldier’s Saddle. Never in the hunt behind Elson Boy at Mudgee but this is easier. Each-way.

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

De Forerunner wins at Mudgee on May 12

2. British Statesman led and battled on well in a stronger race at Mudgee two weeks ago and lands in a suitable contest here. For the most part he’s been racing in tougher grade, Class 3 or higher, so from an ideal gate gets his chance to break through.

Dangers: 7. Feirme Prince can be a bit hit and miss but put a couple of placings together before an even sixth in the same race at Mudgee where he went back from a wide gate and ran on without threatening. Draws the inside and if he can take some advantage can be hard to hold out. 5. My Odette can be forgiven for failing at Brewarrina last time. Easy winner at Warren prior and is another each-way chance. Stablemate 8. Pyromania ran well at Orange second-up before a couple of disappointing efforts. Was back sharply in trip last time so could be an improver.

How to play it: British Statesman WIN ($4.60 TAB Fixed Odds).

British Statesman runs fourth at Mudgee on May 12

BEST BETS:
R6 3 DE FORERUNNER
R7 2 BRITISH STATESMAN

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