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By Ray Hickson

Tips and race by race preview by Ray Hickson for Thursday’s Wyong meeting. Selections based on a soft track.

Leaning to 2. Pink Shalala who resumes after a year’s absence so prepared to treat her like a new horse. Plenty to like about her two trials leading into her return, showed pace in one and sat off them in the other. Has every chance from the inside gate to enjoy the run of the race. Hard to beat.

Dangers: 1. Mostro was an easing favourite when resuming at Kensington two weeks ago. Possibly didn’t have the speed to get on the pace there but up to 1350m may have that chance here. Slight gear change with a tongue control bit going on. Worth another chance. 5. Flying Chevrolet hasn’t seen a soft track as yet in three starts and her efforts have been mixed. Fitter for two trials and stays under notice. 9. Donelegance was back in distance when running on late at her second start at this track so she will relish some more ground. Likely improver.

How to play it: Pink Shalala WIN ($2.10 TAB Fixed Odds).

Pink Shalala wins a Rosehill trial on June 11

1. Euromaster has four seconds on end and two this preparation but won’t get a better chance to break through than in this Midway maiden. Drew wide at Kembla last time and slotted in midfield before running on but was no match for a lighter weighted winner. Perfect draw here and no excuses. Read trainer Ron Leemon's comments here.

Dangers: 8. Ranhita boxed on pretty well at Hawkesbury first-up to run third then stayed at 1100m when midfield here two weeks ago. Wide gate a minus but gets up in distance which should suit. Is a 19 start maiden but is in the mix. 3. Fireup was a big drifter on debut at Goulburn where he led and stayed on okay to run third. Likely rolls forward and if he can improve on that first outing he’s an each-way chance. 10. Luvalegend is a well bred youngster out of former top mare Luvaluva on debut and based on his trials he’ll need every bit of the 1350m to be effective.

How to play it: Euromaster WIN ($1.50 TAB Fixed Odds).

Euromaster runs second at Kembla on June 20

11. Skip A Beat has the blinkers on after a late closing second at Nowra on a heavy track third-up. Two provincial runs prior were fair but with the shades she’s entitled to be considered a good chance.

Dangers: 5. Prefer The Wink has threatened to win a race and is an interesting runner here fresh at a suitable trip. Has been safely held in his two trials but over the mile first-up will have his chance to be effective.9. La Belle Claire has mixed her efforts, nice placing at Hawkesbury after leading before no match at Canterbury last week. Possible leader and could give a sight. 6. Ample Time might have just battled a bit late on the heavy when third in the same race as Skip A Beat so could be more effective here.

How to play it: Skip A Beat WIN ($2.50 TAB Fixed Odds).

8. Patience Is Virtue looked smart winning her only public trial at Rosehill earlier this month where she led and did it easily. Chance she gets control up front here and should be hard to run down.

Dangers: 11. Last Druid might be suited with a soft draw to get the last shot. Showed some promise in his first prep and close up in two trials leading in. Good chance to be in the finish. 1. Brokerage ran an even race when well in the market on debut back in October. Fitter for a couple of trials and is in the mix. 12. Zouphisticate drew wide on debut and went back and didn't make an impact. That was on a heavy at Warwick Farm so could be worth another chance here.

How to play it: Patience Is Virtue WIN ($2.30 TAB Fixed Odds).

Patience Is Virtue wins a Rosehill trial on June 11

7. Tommy Thug made quite an impressive local debut with a strong second over 1500m at Newcastle on a heavy track. Will relish getting up to this trip now and with that run under his belt should only improve on it. Good chance.

Dangers: 6. Lygon Street looked a bit one paced when a beaten favourite over this course two weeks ago after taking off before the turn and being outsprinted late. That said he should be better for it and could easily be a sharp improver. 10. Tenniel drifted sharply in betting first-up but found the line nicely late to run fourth over a mile here. That’s a promising sign and with the extra trip she could be dangerous. 5. Special Day has been racing well without winning and ran third in the same race as Lygon Street two runs back so that ties in okay. Narrowly beaten at Muswellbrook up to 2300m since. Has a show.

How to play it: Tommy Thug WIN ($5.00 TAB Fixed Odds).

Tommy Thug runs second at Newcastle on June 15

3. It’s A Wonder picks herself right back in class after an eye-catching fourth at Randwick, a month after another strong finish to run third in the Wagga Guineas. Well suited in a Class 1 over the mile and is clearly the horse to beat.

Dangers: 2. Aix En Provence has done nothing wrong with a win and five placings from six starts. Narrowly beaten at Kembla last time where he came again after looking like fading so going to a mile might be a plus. Go well. 1. Barazin made an even local debut running fourth over 1400m at Newcastle on a heavy track. Was in the market there so a likely improver and drawn to get every chance. 6. Monfiducia doesn’t win out of turn but she’s rarely too far away and held her ground okay to run fourth in a similar race here two weeks ago. Place chance.

How to play it: It’s A Wonder WIN ($1.65 TAB Fixed Odds).

It’s A Wonder runs fourth at Randwick on June 8

11. Taking The Mikki was game in defeat after having a tough run off the track here third-up from a break. Was a well supported favourite in that race and tried hard. Won’t be stuck wide from gate two this time and the extra trip looks no worries. Should be competitive.

Dangers: 2. Osman ran well in a similar race at Hawkesbury two starts back before battling on well in very heavy ground at Dubbo. Down a couple of kilograms and draws well so no surprise if he’s in the finish. 9. Spats Pav Bowie had some support first-up here two weeks ago and held his ground okay to run fourth. Fitter for it and a placing isn’t out of the question. 5. Imasuperstar has been racing well in country grade and was a popular winner on a heavy at Sapphire Coast a couple of weeks ago. Could measure up.

How to play it: Taking The Mikki WIN ($3.60 TAB Fixed Odds).

Taking The Mikki runs second at Wyong on June 6

5. Cosy Corner couldn’t bring better form into this race having run third behind In Flight and Flightcrew, both recent city winners, when third at Gosford last month. Down 4kg and drawn well and if she can repeat that last start effort she’ll go close.

Dangers: 9. Drama Dodger showed some promise winning her first two last prep before a fair effort at Gosford back in April. Recent trial was a quiet one and she could easily show up fresh. 1. Morpheus Bragi has been around the mark in town in two runs since a Gosford placing in May. Ran on without threatening for fourth at Kensington last time and is an each-way chance. 6. Mount Warning is coming through the grades in the country with back-to-back wins from the front. This is harder but drops 3kg and could give a sight.

How to play it: Cosy Corner WIN ($3.50 TAB Fixed Odds).

Cosy Corner runs third at Gosford on May 16

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