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By Neil Evans

Track improving to Good 4 and Rail out 2m so even early before a late trend wider

Very competitive battle over the mile to kick us off. Improving Newcastle 4YO 3. Kings Row from the Paul Perry stable has been freshened since working home late in a handy maiden at Muswellbrook, and even better suited getting back on top of the ground.

Dangers: Rival Newcastle 3YO 9. Vanbari was heavily backed on debut here, but covered ground and weakened out. Draws to get a much kinder run over a longer trip, and can hit back. Hawkesbury mare 5. Chloebella Rose has been up for a while and mixing her form, but she will roll forward and likes it firm. Another Novacastrian 1. Another Sonnette has hit the line well in his last two at Scone, and well in at the weights after rider's full claim, although still looking for that first win ahead of his 31st start.

How to play it: Kings Row to win and quinella 3 and 9. Odds and Evens: Odds a special

Plenty of hopes in a tricky affair. Local 5YO gelding 1. Senatorial trained by Tony Ball will greatly appreciate the drop back in grade to exactly where he won four starts back. Since then, he's been outclassed in a Highway, Taree Cup and a provincial BM 68.

Dangers: Tough Port 6YO 2. Condover Hall is an iron-like performer having not missed a place in his last five, including beaten under a half length in a BM 66 at Kempsey last start. Back out to the mile is a plus, and has a sound record at this track; while improving 5YO 4. Lucky For Some steps up from a smart win in a weaker race at home.

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

Back to the short course for the maidens in an open dash. Keen at good odds on resuming and well-bred Newcastle 3YO 11. Tupou again from the Perry stable who was slow to begin on debut at Muswellbrook in May, but closed off nicely. Looks to have improved further winning a recent trial impressively.

Dangers: Rosehill filly 14. Time For Peace was only beaten narrowly three times last prep against better opposition, and has the early speed to overcome the wide barrier. Looks ready to return off a forward trial. Port 5YO 4. Prince Arlo resumes after two handy trials, and is over the odds; while include debutant Exceed And Excel 3YO 10. Sportsman who has been given plenty of time at the trials.

How to play it: Tupou each way and trifecta 11,14/4,10,11,14/4,10,11,14. Odds and Evens: Split

Strong race for this grade. Like resuming mare 3. Vox Populi from the Lee Curtis yard at Rosehill. Hasn't publicly trialled, but done plenty of work and always come to hand quickly.

Dangers: Capable Wyong 5YO 1. Aytobe resumes off a nice trial, although normally takes a run before hitting his straps. Draws the fence, and significantly big weight has been off-set by 3kg claim. Be surprised if one of those two doesn't win, but include in exotics both improving Coffs mare 9. Miss Goodnight fifth-up, and Newcastle mare 11. Sister Ellie who has been hitting the line well, and gets a 2kg claim.

How to play it: Vox Populi to win. Odds and Evens: Odds a special

Vox Populi's first-up run last prep at Muswellbrook

Talented Wyong mare 1. Toguchi from the Kim Waugh stable made a good impression in her initial prep, placed in first three runs when well in the market behind smarter sprinters than these. Has trialled twice, with key gear changes, and only needs a clear run from the turn.

Dangers: US-bred Newcastle 3YO and first starter 4. Mindreader has been close-up in two soft track trials, and looks ready to go from a handy draw with blinkers on. Improving local 3YO 2. Four Egos charged home late resuming in a thinner maiden at Kempsey, and down in weight after rider's claim. Most of the rest are at big odds, but one over the mark is home track filly 12. Chase My Crown who worked home nicely on debut here behind a couple of handy ones.

How to play it: Toguchi to win and quinella 1 and 4. Odds and Evens: Split

Toguchi's latest trial at Gosford on August 12

Got plenty of time for resuming Gosford 4YO 1. Landstrasse from the Greg McFarlane stable. Liked the way he finished off in a strong open trial, and first-up last prep did his best work late over this trip in a good provincial BM 70. Big weight crucially off-set by rider's 3kg claim.

Dangers: Improving Muswellbrook 4YO 4. Forever Jude can peak second-up over the the right distance after working home from right behind the speed in a handy CL1. Newcastle mare 3. Manhattan Whirl will also relish the longer trip fourth-up after hitting the line from well back in that same race. The third runner coming out of that race at the 'brook, improving 7YO 6. Legendofoz will find the extra ground to his liking from a better draw and down a little in weight; while Coffs mare 2. Could You Be Loved has had two runs back, and gets some much needed weight relief.

How to play it: Landstrasse to win and first four 1,4/1,2,3,4,6/1,2,3,4,6/1,2,3,4,6,7. Odds and Evens: Split

Toughest race of the day to finish. Progressive Cessnock 5YO 9. Spanish Missile has given nothing else a chance leading all the way in his last two, and while this is a bit tougher, gets in terrific at the weights after rider's claim.

Dangers: Local 6YO 12. Burn'm was only even through the line second-up behind Spanish Missile when specked in the market, but can improve further from a softer draw. Newcastle mare 6. Can I Rock finds her easiest race in a while, but best form is on rain-affected ground; while Wyong 5YO 3. Sparks is over the odds fourth-up from a good draw.

How to play it: Box trifecta 3,6,9,12. Odds and Evens: Split.

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