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Neil Evans

Track Good 4 and Rail true for Cup and Newmarket Day so should play fairly even

Open middle distance race at set weights to start, and local 4YO mare 7. Beyond Desire is well suited rising in trip fourth-up. Flew home late at the Gold Coast last start, and that was her first run in a month, and draws to get the right trail.

Dangers: Gold Coast 4YO mare 10. Fast Eva didn't miss by much up in distance at Doomben, and can also reach a peak performance third-up. Sunshine Coast 4YO gelding 3. Distracted hops the border off two solid closing runs around this trip, and should be at his peak now fourth-up; while Gold Coast 5YO gelding 4. Prince Husson mixes his runs habitually, but he's better than his poor record from 20 starts suggests, and from an inside position back in the field he can finish hard.

How to play it: Beyond Desire to win and quinella 7 and 10. Odds and Evens (First 2): Split.

Good maiden. Gold Coast 3YO gelding 3. Reus gets his chance to pay back punters after missing by a head on debut at Lismore as a red-hot favourite. That came off a dominant trial win, and he draws to get a lovely run right behind the speed, with the winkers coming off.

Dangers: Liked the first-up run from 3YO Sunshine Coast gelding 7. Aheadofhistime when solid in the market, and is bred for speed on both sides. Local 3YO colt 9. Cubix will appreciate getting back on his home track after doing little on debut at Ipswich. Was specked at a long price that day, and big improvement expected here; while keep watch on 4YO mare and stablemate 4. Spring Day (Al Maher x Durrah by Langfuhr) having her first start for leading stable. Has had two trials, and 3kg claiming apprentice has been booked.

How to play it: Reus to win. Odds and Evens: Odds.

Looks the right sort of race for 4YO Gold Coast mare 6. I'm Kate who can take the step up straight from maiden grade. Got the job done at the Sunny Coast last start, and two runs back did her best work late in a strong maiden at Scone.

Dangers: Ballina 5YO gelding 8. Missile Attack has been finding the line strongly in deeper races, and draws to get a nice trail off the fence third-up and down in weight. Consistent 4YO Gold Coast gelding 1. Jackpot Jay has had four runs this prep, scraping home in a Class 1 two back, but weighted to his best with 60kg. Ballina mare 7. Clever Dolly is another who likes to drift back and get home hard, so will need the pace on and a share of luck from an inside draw. Gold Coast 5YO gelding 3. Eltizaam flopped on the heavy against stronger at Doomben before a much improved run at Coffs Harbour. Not well off at the weights, but will get a nice run with cover from the gate.

How to play it: I'm Kate to win and box exacta 1,6,8. Odds and Evens: Evens.

Gold Coast 6YO mare 2. Red Heat has kept improving to claim her last two at BM 58 level, and being by a former Victoria Derby winner out of a mare by former multiple Group 1 winner Intergaze, the extra distance is no problem. Looks a near good thing!

Dangers: Watch for 6YO Gold Coast mare 7. Cushty Princess finishing off late. Likes to drift back and get home strong, and draws the inside, with significant jockey switch.

How to play it: Red Heat to win. Odds and Evens: Split.

Red Heat wins at Kempsey on August 8

Feature sprint sets up nicely for classy 5YO local gelding 2. Snitz resuming off an impressive trial win at the Gold Coast. Has a smart fresh record, and likes to settle midfield and finish over the top.

Dangers: On the score of fitness and consistency, 7YO Gold Coast gelding 3. Taillevent looks the main threat from a good draw. Flew home late in both the Dan Baker Prelude and Final at Coffs before another solid run at Doomben in good company. Toowoomba 7YO gelding 1. Apoloboom will be itching to get back on a firm surface on which seven of 12 wins have come. Failed on the heavy at Doomben last start, but can go forward here from a middle gate, and big weight off-set by rider's 2kg claim; while under-rated 6YO Lismore mare 6. Malmoosa hasn't raced for seven months, but has trialled well and competed against stronger last year.

How to play it: Snitz to win and trifecta 2,3/1,2,3,6. Odds and Evens: Split.

Snitz wins a trial at the Gold Coast on August 12

Leading local trainer Matt Dunn has a big hand in this. Scratched from a later race, 4YO gelding 2. Pirlo draws the fence, and resumes off a tidy trial win at the Gold Coast, with a significant 3kg claim. Led and won on debut this track a year ago.

Dangers: Stablemate 4YO entire 3. Hayburner is another who has trialled solidly, and comes to hand quickly. Flashed home first-up last prep before winning his maiden second-up at a hot favourite. Gold Coast 4YO gelding 1. Elixir was well backed when finishing off okay behind the smart Heritage Sash, and should be right at his peak now after four runs back. Another of the Dunn-trained, 4YO gelding 4. Ashman has been plain in two runs back, but was scratched from Grafton on Monday to be saved for this, and gets a nice draw, but racing over 1200m for the first time.

How to play it: Pirlo each way and trifecta 1,2,3/1,2,3,4. Odds and Evens: Split.

Gold Coast 8YO gelding 2. Powerline put the writing on the wall finishing well in the Dan Baker at Coffs, before charging late to land the Casino Cup over a shorter trip. Well up to this, but inside draw under a big weight a little query for one who likes to get a fair way back.

Dangers: Ballina 6YO gelding 5. Nothingforthepress rarely runs a bad one, and won three straight back in the summer. Has had two improving runs back, and should be peaking third-up at this trip. The younger 3. Zamex, now a 6YO gelding, would give this a mighty shake, but still did his best work late in the Casino Cup when unwanted in betting, and extra trip a plus. Hasn't won for a long time, but can't be dismissed for top local yard. Stablemate 6YO gelding 4. Ready For Danger is better suited over a longer trip, but watch for him charging late second-up; while Gold Coast 9YO gelding 1. Bodega Negra hit a purple patch winning the South Grafton and Sawtell Cups before being over-run after leading in the stronger Coffs Cup. Is capable, but rises significantly in weight, and doubt he can beat these under 62kg.

How to play it: Powerline to win and box trifecta 2,3,4,5. Odds and Evens: Split.

Tough race to finish. Local 5YO mare 8. Daisy's Apart resumes off a solid trial behind stablemate Pirlo, and normally comes to hand fairly quickly. Won two straight in the summer before tackling tougher metro company, and looks ready to strike first-up from a nice trailing draw.

Dangers: Ballina 4YO gelding 2. Dorset Coast is smart on his day. Won a good quality Class 1 third-up this prep before finishing off okay at the Gold Coast. Has since won an open trial, and jockey takes 2kg off. Stablemate to top selection, and former Victorian 5YO mare 1. She Keeps Nosecret is having her first run in the region for the Dunn stable. Gets a 3kg allowance, and has trialled okay. Improving 4YO Beaudesert gelding 7. Sylvester scored a deserved Class 1 win at Lismore when heavily backed, and gets a cosy run on-speed from the draw; while stablemate 5YO mare 5. Miss Amanda resumes and has early speed. Won both trials narrowly at the Gold Coast, and will be in this for a long way.

How to play it: Daisy's Apart each way. Odds and Evens: Split.

All the fields, form and replays for Friday's Murwillumbah Cup meeting