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By Neil Evans

Track Heavy 10 and rail out 3m, so likely on pace early before a trend away from the fence

Good competitive open, with a few chances headed by 4YO Newcastle gelding 2. Time Raid who wasn't overly suited back on the inside under a big weight at Wyong, but still made up good ground. Drops 3.5kg from that run, and is a soft track winner, so should get through it.

Dangers: Port Macquarie 5YO gelding 1. Mister Smartee is getting up in weight, but good in the ground. Finished too strong in a BM 82 two runs back before stuck on okay in same grade this track. Small field should suit his pattern. Coffs Harbour 6YO gelding 7. Triage is on the quick back-up after having no luck in the straight in a BM 66 here a week ago, and while this is tougher, gets a significant weight drop. Include improving 4YO Port Macquarie gelding 3. Chamisal who finished hard to win that same race here seven days ago, and also drops in weight, but first time in heavy ground.

How to play it: Time Raid to win and trifecta 1,2/1,2,3,7/1,2,3,7. Odds and Evens: Split

Very tricky dash for the maidens with some first starters, and a few key ones. Any betting move will be significant for 4YO Muswellbrook mare 1. Stars Don't Lie who resumes off a long break, but has trialled okay for a good sprinting stable, and looks ready after being scratched from home track meeting on Sunday.

Dangers: Wyong 3YO filly 7. Dreams Out West was well beaten at 100/1 in two tougher runs on the speed before Xmas, but improved sharply to just miss at Port Macquarie before winning a trial so looks to finally have her mind on the job, and should handle the ground. Scone 3YO gelding 3. Glendor resumes off a seven month break, and showed significant improvement in a recent trial, and stable is having a good run. Again look for any market move with debutant 3YO Scone filly 5. Yawkyawk (Wandjina x Spooked by Scaredee Cat) who was out the back in a Rosehill trial before Xmas, but leading trainer/rider combination can't be under-estimated, and she's bred to get through the ground.

How to play it: Stars Don't Lie to win and trifecta 1,3,7/1,3,5,7/1,3,5,7/1,3,5,7. Odds and Evens: Odds

Testing sprint for the boys at set weights, but 6YO Gosford gelding 4. Jay'n'jay can pay back punters fourth-up this prep from a good draw. Loves to park right on the speed, and ran three straight second placings to start the prep before swamped late this track, as a well fancied favourite. Bred to handle the conditions, and the blinkers come off.

Dangers: Big watch 4YO Newcastle gelding 7. Solano (Fastnet Rock x Cierzo by Centaine) who debuts in blinkers for leading provincial stable, and has had two quiet trials. Include 4YO Newcastle gelding 2. Freedom's Fire resuming after two solid trials, and is b red to handle such ground.

How to play it: Jay'n'jay to win. Odds and Evens: Split

Now the girls' turn over the same trip, and there are plenty of hopes headed by Wyong 3YO 12. Toguchi who finished off nicely resuming at Muswellbrook when well backed, and this looks an ideal follow-up race. By a good wet track sire, and scratched from the 'brook on Sunday.

Dangers: Resuming Newcastle mare 2. Lochita has looked good in two 1000m trials, and is headed for better races. Debuted on a heavy track at Warwick Farm last July, and stuck on okay from the front. Just needs even luck from a wide barrier to be in the finish. Another one first-up, Port Macquarie mare 5. Night Terror hasn't trialled, but reportedly working well, and has a real liking for rain-affected ground; while Gosford 3YO 7. Classic Gown returns off a nine week break off a smart trial win, but is a query in the ground at her ninth start.

How to play it: Toguchi to win. Odds and Evens: Split.

Toguchi runs third at Muswellbrook on January 3

Good competitive battle. Newcastle 4YO mare 4. Scenic Site is ready to peak after three runs back against tougher opposition, and wet track form from last winter was strong.

Dangers: Wyong 6YO gelding 2. Foxdown hit the line nicely resuming at home, and has a good wet track record. Normally improves into his second-up run, although low draw in these conditions could be tough for one who likes to settle back in the field. Improving 3YO Gosford gelding 6. Django Unreined has been hard in the market and close-up this grade in two runs back from a spell. Draws to be in the finish again, but is a query first time in this ground. Port Macquarie mare 7. Hard Ruler has been finishing okay in and around this class, but best form is in rain-affected going; while include another Port mare 8. Our Girl Babs whose recent form is only moderate, but she drops in weight, and has a real liking for wet tracks being by Clangalang who won a Group 1 Derby on a Soft 7 rating.

How to play it: Scenic Site each way and box first four 2,4,6,7,8. Odds and Evens: Evens

Plenty of chances in this one too. Improving 5YO Wyong gelding 2. Midi is knocking on the door after three fast-finishing runs this prep, and sire won a Group 1 over 2000m on a Heavy 10.

Dangers: Gosford 4YO gelding 1. New Tycoon was his maiden in smart style at second career run before fighting on tenaciously at Scone after leading over the mile. Untested on wet tracks, but breeding is okay. Similarly, 3YO Coffs Harbour filly 4. Dazzling Charm is progressing nicely in her first prep, and also suited stepping up to this distance, but first time on anything under a good rated surface. Be shocked if the winner came outside these four.

How to play it: Midi to win and box exacta 1,2,4. Odds and Evens: Split

Midi runs second at Mudgee on January 7

Open finish. Improving 5YO Newcastle gelding 3. Titus has been close-up in two of his three runs this prep, and has the class despite first time on a heavy rating.

Dangers: Local 4YO stallion and former Victorian 2. New Major did his best work late in first run for new stable, and will find this a little easier, but weighted to his best.

How to play it: Titus to win. Odds and Evens: Split.

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