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By Neil Evans

Track likely Soft 6 and rail out 4m from 1000m to WP so even early before trending wider

The maiden sprinters get us underway. Improving 2YO Wyong filly 8. The Neon Knight from the Jeff Englebrecht stable is ready to win on the quick back-up at fifth run this prep. Comes through strong form-lines for a race like this, latest finishing hard at Scone behind smart youngster Married To The Mob.

Dangers: Big watch on Cessnock 3YO 2. Rubick's Command (Rubick x Taylor's Command by Commands) who debuts off a forward heavy track trial at Muswellbrook.

How to play it: The Neon Knight to win. Odds and Evens: Evens

The Neon Knight runs second at Scone on June 22

Out to the mile now in a tricky affair. Like Newcastle 3YO 4. Gameman to strike for the Nathan Doyle stable resuming again for only his third start. Worked home nicely at Scone in a deeper maiden in mid March, and returns over the same trip, with blinkers going on. Has trialled quietly behind some talented ones.

Dangers: Home track 3YO 2. Dunoon is the clear threat at third start from a nice draw and back on preferred soft ground. Pt Macquarie 3YO 3. Flying Mojo has consistently worked home in handy maidens this prep, and the wetter the better. Watch for further improvement from Newcastle 3YO 6. Omaka; while Port 4YO 5. Honovi is still searching after 17 runs and goes up sharply in weight, but is hard fit and found the line nicely in his last few.

How to play it: Gameman each way and quinella 2 and 4. Odds and Evens: Evens.

Keen on 3YO 8. Syncline from the Kris Lees stable at Newcastle resuming as a gelding off a long break, with blinkers on for the first time. Looked sharp winning the second of two trials, and should relish these conditions. Was scratched from Scone on Friday to run here.

Dangers: Newcastle 3YO 5. New York Nick charged home second-up in the heavy at Muswellbrook, and this looks a little easier. Local 4YO 4. Hashtag Viking likes to roll forward, and can give some cheek back in distance. Has had four fair runs back from a long break, but this isn't strong, and will find a nice forward position. Include 6YO local mare 9. Celia La Paloma who produced her best run in a while at Grafton, although doesn't want it too soft; while Wyong mare 10. Schengen has also been up for a while, and comes off a tidy closing run in a handy maiden at Scone.

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

Syncline wins a trial at Newcastle on June 10

Good quality tussle for this grade, with plenty of chances. Progressive 3YO Wyong gelding 3. Fantasy Eagle from the Allan Denham yard can break through at fourth start in his first prep. Finished hard to win his maiden in heavy ground at Port before again doing best work late here.

Dangers: Home track 4YO 1. Flash Palace comes out of that same race here as top selection when finishing hard from a little further back, and can peak third-up. Will likely drift a long way back from the wide draw, but watch for him charging late. Newcastle filly 6. Cool Missile is right in the mix at fourth start from a soft draw and blinkers going on after attacking the line in a handy CL1 at Dubbo; while Wyong filly 8. Brookwyn resumes off two improving provincial trials for in-form stable, but jumps from the outside gate.

How to play it: Fantasy Eagle to win and trifecta 1,3,6/1,3,7,6,8/1,3,6,7,8. Odds and Evens: Split

Tough and wide open race. Home track 6YO gelding 5. Makuba from the Tony Ball stable won two straight in this grade before held on okay in a stronger BM 66 here. Back to right class, and draws to get a nice trail just off the speed.

Dangers: Coffs Harbour filly 3. In A Step can mix her form, but she handles wet tracks and has enough ability in this grade. Grafton mare 6. Vivid Image resumes without a public trial, but has a sound fresh record. Coffs mare 7. All About Charlie also comes off a fair closing effort behind Mr Polar in that same BM 66 here, and is consistent enough on rain-affected ground. Big watch on former Warwick Farm-based mare 1. Boom Queen having her first start in 10 months for new local stable. Was competitive in stronger company last prep, but likely to need the run carting 62kg from a wide draw.

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

Same grade, but out in distance for the girls. Kempsey 4YO mare 3. Gwennybegg from the Barry Ratcliff stable is a progressive wet-track performer. Finished too well to win a CL1 at Tuncurry two runs back before strong late again in a better BM 58 at Grafton. Drops back in trip, but has been sparingly raced this prep.

Dangers: Consistent Port mare 7. Havana Storm has never raced better, narrowly beaten in two straight before rattling home from well back to land a CL1 at Grafton. Up in weight, but handles all conditions, and draws to get a soft run with cover. Local 4YO mare 2. Good Excuse has worked home okay in her last couple, and should find this a little easier, although up in weight and back in trip. Stablemate mare to top selection 1. Shy One comes back to the grade in which she won two straight in autumn before tackling tougher company. Has been freshened, but up significantly in weight. Port filly and last start heavy track maiden winner 10. Always Hot is clear best of the rest.

How to play it: Gwennybegg to win and first four 2,3,7/1,2,3,7,10/1,2,3,7,10/1,2,3,7,10. Odds and Evens: Split

Now the boys' turn over the same trip to close the meeting. Capable Wauchope 5YO gelding 6. Salty Rain from the Grant Prosser yard can claim a third win well into a long prep. Charged home from a mile back in a handy CL2 at Port, and at his best in soft ground.

Dangers: Kempsey 4YO 1. First Time Lucky gets out to his right trip third-up, with blinkers going on. Local 4YO 2. Senatorial resumes with no official trial, and normally takes a run or two, although both career wins have been here and bandages coming off is a positive sign. Include both Muswellbrook 5YO 7. Dragoneight and local 4YO 4. Shake On It second-up in exotics.

How to play it: Salty Rain to win. Odds and Evens: Split

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