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By John Schell

Selections based on a good track.

2. Blackcomb was formerly in the care of Victorina trainer Danny O’Brien and steps out here having her first start for trainer Kris Lees at her resuming run. Blackcomb’s Victorian form was solid, including a Geelong victory, before being placed at Morphettville at the end of July. Dylan Gibbons takes the ride here and she should be ready to run well.

Dangers: 3. Oakfield Prince is a stablemate of Blackcomb. He finished third at Muswellbrook and Kembla Grange before failing as favourite at the latter track when finishing last. He has since been narrowly beaten when second at Newcastle and can be prominent again here. 6. Broadway Bouncer has won both his runs since coming back from a spell and warrants respect again, while 1. Silvakia is resuming and has had two trials to prepare. Don’t take her lightly.

How to play it: Blackcomb WIN.

2. Drialle is a lightly raced gelding that has had two runs back from spell for a close-up second at Kembla Grange and a fifth at Newcastle. He was a city placegetter earlier in the year and hasn’t struck the strongest of races here.

Dangers: 6. Miss Artfire is back from a year away from racing but has finished second in both recent trials. 8. Monsanna is the best of the rest, while 3. Party Stop could improve in what is a weak race.

How to play it: Drialle WIN.

1. Jedibeel was resuming from a spell at Kembla Grange last time out and was only claimed late when finishing second behind Dancing Alone. Jedibeel was a winner om debut at Hawkesbury earlier this year and finished in the placings at his only other runs. He is drawn to advantage in this.

Dangers: 3. Betsy’s Flag was backed as if unbeatable and led throughout to score impressively at Hawkesbury when resuming and should give a sight again here despite the wide alley. 4. The King failed against much grade in his two runs before being spelled, but his form before that was good enough for him to be rated a leading contender here. 8. Los Padres is a winner at this track and shouldn’t be discarded.

How to play it: Jedibeel WIN.

3. Razors looked good when winning at this track when resuming from a spell, then didn’t have the best of luck when striking trouble in the straight when second to River Snitty at Hawkesbury. James McDonald hops aboard Razors in this and he has drawn well.

Dangers: 1. Memoria has solid form and she did the job well enough to score at Newcastle last time out, albeit narrowly. 2. Peace Officer has shown ability throughout his career, and while he is resuming from a spell, his second trial this campaign showed he is on target. 5. One Kind is racing well enough to be rated a place chance.

How to play it: Razors WIN.

4. Balkans is a well-bred colt in the James Cummings stable and returns to racing here on the back of a fifth at Canterbury on debut in June. Balkans has had two trials leading into this, and looked good winning the latest one at Hawkesbury. He’s drawn to get the run of the race in barrier two.

Dangers: 9. Xidaki is another on debut, and both his trials point to a forward showing here. 13. Jawharat Dubai is also a first starter in the Annabel Neasham stable and she’s shown enough in her trials to be rated a good chance. 1. Dreambender has performed well enough to date to be rated a place chance again against these.

How to play it: Balkans WIN.

6. Va Via has been racing in great form having won her past three starts in Melbourne. She has a sharp turn of foot and must be respected.

Dangers: 3. Wollombi hit her straps earlier this year when winning a couple on end at Warwick Farm before scoring at Flemington. She resumed with a fourth behind Kalino at Rosehill and has had a tick over trial leading into this. 5. Short Shorts is resuming here but has speed and is drawn ideally in gate one. 1. North Star Lass is a good performer on her day and warrants respect.

How to play it: Va Via WIN.

8. Kalapour was resuming from a break when finishing a sound third behind Bold Mac at Rosehill. He had been racing in great form in Brisbane earlier in the year. He strips fitter for this and handles rain affected tracks.

Dangers: 7. Hosier was dominant when winning in group 3 company at Randwick last time out and has an outstanding soft track record. 4. Bois D’argent is a consistent performer and should be thereabouts again here, while 5. Desert Icon is never too far away.

How to play it: Kalapour EACH WAY.

2. Flying Destiny impressed when resuming from a spell at Hawkesbury to score in class 1 grade. He is yet to miss a place from six starts and has a win and three placings from four soft track starts. He’s drawn well here and can win again.

Dangers: 3. Chipper raced on the speed and dashed clear to score a strong win at this track on August 3. He will go forward again in this and will take beating again with a repeat performance. 1. De Poet has wins to his name in each run either side of a spell. He shouldn’t be taken lightly here. 7. Major Murphy has been thereabouts of late and warrants some attention.

How to play it: Flying Destiny WIN.

Best bets:
Race 4 (3) Razors.
Race 5 (4) Balkans.

Best value:
Race 7 (8) Kalapour.

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