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By Neil Evans

Track likely Soft 5 with a few showers around, and rail true, so even early before gradual trend away from the fence

Wide open maiden at set weights to start, and it likely hinges on the run emerging 3YO local gelding 9. Wandzel gets from another tough draw. Has had little luck in two runs so far from wide gates, but still made up a heap of ground, and is a youngster destined for much bigger races. Little extra trip an added bonus.

Dangers: Expect local 4YO gelding 4. Lucky For Some to improve third-up, so too 3YO Newcastle gelding 7. Major Heist who didn't do much on debut at Muswellbrook, but that was a deeper race over this journey, and with that experience is naturally better placed. Wyong 4YO mare 11. Schengen has far more to offer than her modest two placings from 11 starts, and found the line nicely over the mile at Taree. Will need plenty of luck from a wide barrier, but capable of running into the finish off a decent tempo.

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

Doesn't get any easier here for the girls over the sprint trip. Wyong 3YO filly 4. Exotic Pearl resumes off a seven month break and has drawn off the track, but has trialled okay for a stable who knows how to get them ready. Finished hard at big odds on debut last winter.

Dangers: Coffs Harbour filly 13. Just Cosmos needs to find a length or two, but her form has been solid jumping from wider barriers in handy maidens.

How to play it: Exotic Pearl each way. Odds and Evens: Split.

Now the boys' turn over the same distance. Newcastle 4YO gelding 3. Pride Of Adelaide has a tonne of potential, and returns for another crack after a terrific closing run over further on debut at home last spring. Has trialled in top fashion, and bred to get much further, so just needs to be in contact with them before the turn to sweep over the top.

Dangers: Debutant 4YO local gelding 1. Not Out (Keeper x Vandenne by Van Nistlerooy) looks a threat off three trials, the latest beating home Lochita who then scored a strong fresh win at Taree on Monday. Bred to sprint and the blinkers are on. Be surprised if anything else wins, but stablemate 4YO gelding 14. What A Cracker can push on down in weight after finishing hard resuming at huge odds in a maiden with some depth.

How to play it: Pride Of Adelaide to win and quinella 1 and 3. Odds and Evens: Odds.

Pride Of Adelaide wins a trial at Wyong on January 13

Good quality Class 1 that augurs well for progressive 3YO Newcastle gelding 1. Reveal The Magic third-up this prep. Was run over after leading in a stronger BM 66 at Taree last start, and was scratched from Tamworth on Thursday to be saved for this.

Dangers: Smart 3YO Newcastle filly 4. Cafe Royal is the logical threat off her dominant debut win here careering away after stalking the speed, although will find this a bit tougher from a wide draw. Consistent 4YO local mare 3. Firefly Poppy hasn't missed a place in three runs this prep, and returns to the track where she bolted in her maiden first-up. Include improving 5YO home track mare 8. Delight who only just missed in a weaker race last start, but is hard fit and drops 4.5kg from that run.

How to play it: Reveal The Magic to win and box exacta 1,3,4. Odds and Evens: Split

Well bred Newcastle 3YO 2. Animate returns for leading stable as a gelding, and off a nice trial behind smart sprinter Sir Elton. Won comfortably on debut last spring as a hot favourite, but you could argue under 58kg from a tricky draw, he's a little under the odds.

Dangers: Got plenty of time for 3YO Muswellbrook gelding 5. Chargement who resumes off a very quiet trial, but won first-up last prep as a heavily backed favourite, and trainer has removed the blinkers. Taree 4YO mare 9. Gypsy Queen can peak fourth-up after finishing hard in a BM 58 this track, and drops back down to the limit weight.

How to play it: Animate to win and quinella 2 and 5. Odds and Evens: Split

Plenty of chances again in a competitive sprint. Muswellbrook 5YO gelding 2. Siege Warfare has been mixing his form in much tougher company, including a strong finishing effort in a Highway at Rosehill three runs back. Up sharply to 60kg, but this is a drop in depth.

Dangers: Newcastle 3YO filly 10. Red Light Dancer stuck on okay from the front resuming, and looks the weighted runner dropping 4.5kg, but also has to overcome a tricky barrier.

How to play it: Thiswilldous each way. Odds and Evens: Evens.

Wide open sprint, where early cover and positions will be pivotal. Big striding 5YO Coffs Harbour mare 9. Alternative Facts has terrific ability, and capable of running a cracking last 400m. Resumed with a dominant off-speed win in Class 2 company before doing her best work late in back-to-back stronger Highways. Naturally back up in weight and will again go back from a wide draw, but with an even share of luck she's the one to stop.

Dangers: Smart 4YO Taree gelding 5. Fair Dinkum was disappointing first-up when heavily backed, although just got beaten for early speed. Second-up form normally not as strong, but he draws to get plenty of cover, and finished close-up in consecutive Highway races last spring. Watch the market on resuming 4YO Coffs Harbour mare 11. Yarrinup Flyer who hasn't publicly trialled, but has early speed and normally comes to hand quickly.

How to play it: Alternative Facts to win and box exacta 5,9,11. Odds and Evens: Odds.

Alternative Facts runs fifth at Randwick on January 11

Feature Queen Of The North is an intriguing sprint, with plenty of hopes. Talented 4YO Taree mare 7. Bellastar is drawn out, but she should be able to go back and tuck in off a good speed. Hit the line nicely second-up in a Class 2 at Gosford, and looks ready to peak down 2kg.

Dangers: Another 4YO mare Coffs-trained 9. Northern Wilderose keeps improving, and was a dominant winner leading all the way in a BM 58 last start, but this is tougher, and she draws wide. You can never rule out popular 6YO local mare 1. Shelley Beach Road when she's nice and fresh. Cops a big weight, but trialled nicely, and half her six career wins have come first-up. Newcastle 5YO mare 2. Ellie's Encore has had three runs back in deeper company, and should be ready to peak; while tough 5YO Taree mare 3. Danzibar Dancer steps up in grade and weight after consecutive BM 66 wins, the latest in record time.

How to play it: Bellastar each way and trifecta 1,7,9/1,2,3,7,9/1,2,3,7,9. Odds and Evens: Odds

Open battle to finish. Newcastle 4YO mare 8. Power Of Wexford was flat last start at Muswellbrook after hitting the line hard in previous two at BM 66 level as a well backed favourite. Will find this a little easier, and looks ready fourth-up.

Dangers: Stablemate mare 2. Scenic Sight reloads from the abandoned race at Taree on Monday, and is also well placed fourth-up. Has done her best work late in last couple, and form around her is strong enough to be a key player; while 4YO local mare 16. Eurogem is on the rise after thrashing a Class 1 field last start, and stays on the limit weight for this significant rise in class.

How to play it: Power Of Wexford to win. Odds and Evens: Evens.

All the fields, form and replays for Friday's Port Macquarie meeting