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By Neil Evans

Track Good 4 and rail out 3m, so even pattern early before gradually trending off the speed

A couple of first starters off solid trials will influence the market here. Victorian colt 2. Malbas (Savabeel x Pins On Ice by Pins) looks ready to go for leading juvenile stable off a nice trial at Werribee, and is bred to run this right out on debut, and gets blinkers for the first time.

Dangers: Debutant filly 8. Rubaiya (Rubick x Royal Emerger by Flying Spur) is bred to fly and comes off a quieter trial for strong Canberra stable. Doubt anything else can win, although market watch on Canberra gelding 4. Tiz War Bro who has had two modest runs over shorter trips, and will improve over the longer journey.

How to play it: Malbas to win and quinella 2 and 8.

Different story here over the same distance for older horses, with several chances in what looms as a battle of tempo and tactics. Keen on Canberra filly 12. Rosy Dawn second-up for a stable renowned for getting them ready early. Hit the line hard on debut at Goulburn five weeks back before freshened and winning an open trial. Draws the inside so will get a smooth run a few lengths off the speed.

Dangers: Another Hayes-Dabernig runner 3YO colt 3. Big Boss Bee Kay led on debut on the synthetic when easily over-run, but should improve back on turf, and draws a nice on-speed gate. Plenty in this field come out of the same maiden on this track two weeks ago including 4YO Canberra gelding 4. Bonitas who was okay on-speed in second run back from a spell; and rival Canberra gelding 6. Katatonic who got a mile back third-up and didn't really run on, but draws a much better barrier here and won't be as far off them at the 400m. Two others with the same last-start form-line are Canberra 3YO gelding 7. The Dream Giver who produced an even run on debut, but draws a wide gate; while Bass-trained 3YO gelding 5. Darlamax finished hard from well back in that same maiden when specked at double figure odds.

How to play it: Rosy Dawn to win and first four 3-12/3-4-5-6-7-12.

Tough race, although 3YO Albury filly 4. Smart Promise looks the one to beat. Has had two encouraging runs back from a spell, the latest flashing home late to just miss as an odds-on favourite, and should be peaking now third-up from a good draw.

Dangers: If 3YO Canberra colt and first starter 3. Scrooge (Snitzel x Fluffy Duck by Tale Of The Cat) gets any luck from a wide barrier, she'll be in the finish. Held together in two trials, the latest at this track; while 3YO filly and stablemate 7. Fabulous Fran is fitter now second-up and draws to push forward and be hard to run down. Yet another 3YO filly from rival Canberra stable 11. She's All In resumes without an official trial, but has ability, and draws to get a lovely trail tucked away midfield. Respect for debutant 5YO gelding 1. Ajay (Ilovethiscity x Classic Vuitton by Lonhro) who trialled quietly in the heavy at Albury last week, and hops the border for smart country stable.

How to play it: Smart Promise to win and box trifecta 3-4-7-11.

Smart Promise runs second at Wagga on May 25

Competitive and open sprint. Jerilderie mare 2. My Zarmidala boasts a good winning strike rate around this grade, and is unbeaten second-up. Resumed and kept chasing at Swan Hill, and again draws to sit on speed, and give plenty of cheek for an under-rated trainer.

Dangers: Well-bred Albury filly 11. Ima Puppet came off a break to win her maiden four runs back, but has been a little disappointing since, although gets a cosy run from the inside. Jerilderie gelding 6. Mr Brown Fox, stablemate to 2, has been raced sparingly this prep without threatening, but 3kg claim keeps him in the contest.

How to play it: My Zarmidala each way.

Another heat of the Wagga Stayers Series, and 4YO Gundagai mare 9. Whicker can do it for us again after steaming home to win a Class 1 this track two weeks back. Up in weight, and will again be forced a long way back from a wide gate, but is hard fit and can unleash on the long run in.

Dangers: Talented 4YO Warwick Farm gelding 5. Hilltop Hood careered away to win second-up at Canberra, and looks destined for better races. Albury mare 6. Anna Baabella who has found the line nicely in her last couple, and extra trip will allow her to settle back from a wide draw and get home. Goulburn mare 10. Isadora Twinkle kept chasing behind a nice horse last start this track when specked in the market; while Bass 5YO gelded 4. Autmed has had his runs spaced this prep, but liked the way he finished off in a good quality BM 58 this track last start over shorter, and improves again getting out to a more suitable distance.

How to play it: Whicker each way and box exacta 5-6-9.

Another highly competitive contest, but smart 4YO Goulburn mare 11. Wyendra can progress further from an ideal draw, with the blinkers going on. Sat midfield and easily picked them up resuming in a CL1 at Canberra before again finishing off nicely from a long way back in a much stronger Rosehill Highway. Looks a cut above these.

Dangers: Wodonga-trained 4YO mare 4. Magnavale is on the rise after winning two of her first three runs, including first-up in a Class 1 at Albury where she defied a betting drift to lead all the way. Jerilderie 7YO gelding 2. Bianbarnie only needs to find cover from the wide barrier to be competitive. Won last time out this track late last year before resuming with an even effort at Albury three weeks back. Should improve second-up and gets a crucial 3kg claim. Expect an improved run second-up from Goulburn mare 5. Terra Reign who was okay late resuming in a stronger BM 64 grade at Gosford; so too Victorian 3YO filly 10. Critical Reaction who is much better than her poor first-up run at Moe, and drops in weight.

How to play it: Wyendra to win and first four 11/2-4-5-10.

Wyendra wins at Canberra first-up

Good deep race to finish. Local 5YO mare 2. My Maher is one of those heartbreak finishers who needs the breaks from well back in the field. Still boasts a 30 per cent winning strike rate, and looks ready to win again after getting home last start off a poor getaway. Was only 2.2 lens from the winner in Wagga Town Plate.

Dangers: Another local, 6YO gelding 4. Delivered has kept improving this prep flashing home in a BM 80 at Parkes before again powering late to win the Kurrajong this track last start. Gets an economical run from the inside draw, but pattern suggests will need to get away from the fence by the turn. Canberra mare 6. Mahalo should be peaking now after three runs back, the latest flying home in a CL3 this track, and one of the better weighted runners after the rider's 3kg claim. Tough 6YO gelding 1. Lucky Fish has been campaigning against stronger in Victoria and SA, including a BM 75 win at Morphettville four runs back, and gets in okay at the weights after rider's 2kg allowance. Wodonga 5YO gelding 5. Toorak Cowboy is another who mixes form, but has been racing against stronger, and draws to get a nice run.

How to play it: My Maher each way and first four 2-4-6/1-2-4-5-6.

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