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By Neil Evans

Track improving to around Good 4, with the Rail True for Krambach Cup day so likely even pattern before late trend away from the fence

Wide open and tough maiden at set weights to start. Gosford 3YO filly 13. Miss Valbonne looks a serious threat returning off two forward trials after hitting the line hard on debut at Pt Macquarie earlier in the year.

Dangers: Not often you see a 7YO on debut, but Scone-based 4. Watchtower (More Than Ready x Danoiserie by Danehill) has had three spaced trials for good fresh stable, but drawn off the track. Expect sharp improvement from 5YO Wyong mare 5. Dubleo Moon who over-raced and had a troubled run on debut at Pt Macquarie, and draws the fence.

How to play it: Miss Valbonne to win. Odds and Evens (First 2): Split

A bit easier here, and 4YO Newcastle gelding 1. Bandahara has the blinkers going on, and is ready to break through at third start after finishing hard behind a good horse at Scone when well backed.

Dangers: Rival 4YO Newcastle gelding 2. Greenskeeper wasn't far off a smart one resuming before rattling home to beat all but the winner at Tamworth, and draws even better here. Be surprised if anything else wins, but 3YO Newcastle gelding 9. All Reign didn't run up to his trials on debut in that same race at Tamworth, but will improve over this longer trip with the blinkers going on.

How to play it: Bandahara to win and quinella 1 and 2. Odds and Evens: Split

Open and potentially strong maiden. Keen on 5YO Gosford mare 7. Furlana who was no match for two smart ones resuming at Wyong when unwanted in betting, but drops in class second-up and draws to get the right trail.

Dangers: Newcastle 4YO gelding 3. Ice Shelf will find this more to his liking from a softer draw after knocking up chasing home the smart Melik resuming at Scone. Coffs Harbour 6YO gelding 1. Barkala ran a big race at home resuming off a near year-long break, but found the company too tough at the Gold Coast last start. Step up in distance here is a plus. Expect improvement at second start from 4YO Scone mare 9. Santa Margherita who didn't do much on debut, but has ability. Watch the market on rival 4YO Scone mare and ex-Victorian 10. Yulong Space having her first run in NSW for prominent stable; and debutant 3YO Newcastle filly 13. Deed Of Gift (Redoute's Choice x Lahana by Hussonet) who has been taken along quietly at the trials, and debuts in blinkers from a good barrier; while 6YO Cessnock gelding 4. Kingston Heath resumed with a brave effort at Muswellbrook despite drifting to a huge price, and while up sharply in weight, again draws to get a nice run on the speed.

How to play it: Furlana to win and quinella 3 and 7. Odds and Evens: Odds

Plenty of chances in this one, and tempo will have a big hand. Cessnock 8YO gelding 2. Three Sheets flew home resuming in the Hurricane at Newcastle over the short course before finding the big step-up in grade at Randwick too much. Much better suited here, and will be finishing hard.

Dangers: Include 5YO Scone gelding 3. Another Sin who won a Class 5 two runs back at Toowoomba before disappointing in the Hurricane when well backed, and extra distance also a bonus. Expecting a big bounce back from 6YO Pt Macquarie mare 6. Typhoon Bonny who put in a shocker last start after a string of consistent runs, and drops 7kg in weight. Local 6YO mare 5. Valbeata ran the race of her life as the rank outsider in a good quality BM 91 sprint at Pt Macquarie, but wins are few and far between; while 5YO Newcastle gelding 7. Sausalito is hardly reliable but finished hard to win a Class 3 at Tamworth two runs back, and will get plenty of cover midfield from a nice draw.

How to play it: Three Sheets each way. Odds and Evens: Split.

Another open affair. Tuncurry 5YO gelding 2. Scorching resumes without an official trial, but normally comes to hand quickly, and stable is having a good run.

Dangers: Scone 4YO mare 8. Are You Dreaming showed good speed to win her maiden first-up at Dubbo before an even effort in tougher grade on same track. Progressive enough, and draws well. Newcastle 4YO gelding 4. Shark Alley normally takes a run before hitting his straps, but he's trialled okay, and draws a good trailing barrier for leading country rider. Gosford 5YO mare 11. Hasty Heart finally cracked her maiden flying home at Scone, and while this is tougher, she took on some promising gallopers earlier in the prep; while local 7YO mare 1. Lobban Hood ran her best race in a while this grade at Grafton finishing hard late, although again will be giving them a tidy start over this trip.

How to play it: Scorching each way and box trifecta 2,4,8,11. Odds and Evens: Evens

Several hopes here, but 4YO Wauchope gelding 5. Jumper Leads will be hard to stop back in grade and distance from latest Highway run at Rosehill. Has been campaigning in the city all prep, and draws to go forward and park comfortably right on the speed.

Dangers: Talented 4YO Scone mare 14. Gem Dealer is the obvious threat down in weight and drawn the inside. Should have nearly won resuming in a Highway at Randwick when didn't get a clear run until late, although two runs since have only been fair. Pt Macquarie 4YO gelding 2. Chamisal didn't do much resuming in a tougher sprint at Newcastle, but second-up form is stronger, although tough ask drawn right off the track. Capable 4YO Kempsey mare 8. Campari Soda powered home to win second-up at Grafton two runs back before finishing on again from an unsuitable inside draw in similar grade. Better off drawn away from the fence, and will be saved for one late surge.

How to play it: Jumper Leads to win and quinella 5 and 14. Odds and Evens: Split

Jumper Leads' last start at Rosehill on September 28

Feature race over the mile sets up nicely for 6YO Wyong gelding 6. Mo The Great who had no luck last start covering ground all the way after a big run from the back in a BM 70 at Newcastle. Down 5.5kg from last run, and no problems up to the mile fourth-up with this weight.

Dangers: Tough local 5YO gelding 1. Editors can power over the top at fifth run this prep. Has finished hard in his last two, and stronger more experienced rider goes on. Another local 5YO gelding 2. Casino Mondial has improved this prep winning a BM 66 first-up, then wasn't far off the smart Miss Redoble at BM 84 level, and draws to get a cosy run midfield. Scone 8YO gelding 8. Dubali who won the weaker Manilla Cup at Gunnedah last start is best of the rest.

How to play it: Mo The Great to win and quinella 1 and 6. Odds and Evens: Split

Mo The Great runs fifth at Wyong on October 10

Competitive mile to finish. Progressive 4YO Newcastle mare 6. Miss Eporetto has been up for a while this prep, but was taken to the front up in trip at Muswellbrook last start and held them off. Up to the mile now, but likely to adopt similar tactics drawn the inside and down in weight.

Dangers: Pt Macquarie 5YO gelding 5. The Croc is slowly closing in on a long-awaited fourth career win just missing in a BM 64 at Newcastle fourth-up after being ridden further forward; while 5YO Gosford gelding and top-weight 1. Matakauri has been consistent enough all prep under big weights, but drawn wide.

How to play it: Miss Eporetto to win. Odds and Evens: Split.

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