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By Neil Evans

Track Good 4 and rail True:

Competitive and open maiden at set weights to get us rolling. Loved the debut closing run from Sebring filly 12. Silent Raindrops who came from near last to run into a place through plenty of traffic and arguably slower ground. Draws to get cover back in the pack again over a suitable 200m further.

Dangers: The jury is still out this prep with Sooboog colt 4. Chain Of Gold after three mixed runs back at the provincials. At his best when he rolls forward, and should be suited around a tighter track if he gets across okay from the wider draw. The betting will tell a story with 5. Crafty Eagle who resumes from a handy draw for only his second start behind two forward trials. Debutant gelding 7. Preferral is an intriguing runner off two trials. Bred to get much further being by unbeaten Group 1-winning French stallion Almanzor, but watching for him late. Keep safe too striking UK-bred filly 11. Princess Raaya who debuts for a leading home track stable behind three trials in five weeks.

How to play it: Silent Raindrops to win and trifecta 4,5,12/4,5,7,11,12/4,5,7,11,12
Odds and Evens: Split

Progressive colt 1. Green Shadows is on a seven day back-up after hitting the line strong in a BM 72 over 1300m, and can settle a little closer here from a softer draw. Carries the same weight as last start after jockey's 3kg claim, and peaks over this trip. Over the odds.

Dangers: Smart Zoustar gelding 3. Saturn Star returns for a second start eight weeks between runs after saluting in an open city trial where he showed very good cruising speed to lead home some high class Group horses. Beat a handy maiden field on debut leading all the way, but must be some query jumping quickly to the mile. Promising 5. Kovalica was ultra impressive second-up at Wyong when zooming home from midfield for an easy win, and stays at this distance in his first metro run with top jockey taking over. Keep safe tough colt 6. Surfers Royale who reloads off a month break and quiet trial after winning two from four in his first campaign.

How to play it: Green Shadows each way
Odds and Evens: Odds

Same grade and age here but back over the short course, and it shapes nicely for Impending gelding 3. Shadow Vampire to make it three wins on the bounce. Rushed home late at double figure odds to score third-up before again finishing hard to trounce a handy CL1 field at Hawkesbury. Again will go back with cover and be saved for one final charge from the 400m.

Dangers: Promising colt 4. Iowna Merc is still on the rise after being edged out by the top selection two runs ago, then stalked the speed before an emphatic victory at Kembla as a heavily backed favourite. Rolls forward from a tricky gate. Dropping back from mixed performances in seriously tougher Group company over the Melbourne carnival, 2. Great Barrier Reef returns to where he won his maiden at good odds six weeks ago. Drawn to find a nice trail off the speed and be strong late. Home track filly 8. Ginger's Gal shoots for three straight this prep from a soft draw; and can run into the minor end of the money.

How to play it: Shadow Vampire to win
Odds and Evens: Split

The staying test presents nicely for tough provincial five-year-old 9. Bak Da Man who has taken big strides this prep at the provincials, and ready now for the rise in journey. Should have made it two straight in a CL4 at Hawkesbury when getting home from well back, and down in weight from a draw where he can settle back with cover, the step to metro company is well within his reach.

Dangers: Big watch on capable five-year-old import 3. Highland Rocker who is banging on the door after four runs in his first Australian prep. Been given a month since missing narrowly on the Kensington track over the same trip, and weight rise has been off-set with a 3kg claimer booked. Both career wins in the UK came on firm footing. Improving mare 11. Awesome Wonder is also suited by the extra distance third-up; while at bigger odds keep safe 1. Brown Thomas returning to his best trip fourth-up from a nice cover draw.

How to play it: Bak Da Man to win
Odds and Evens: Odds a special

Very open sprint for the older males, although the four-year-olds look set to dominate. Got plenty of time for improving 5. Vindication who is trained on the track, and can peak big time here third-up. Has just been edged out in two runs back at the provincials, and right at peak fitness now.

Dangers: Watch the betting closely on another home tracker 2. Lord Paramount who reloads off a two month break and quiet trial for a powerhouse stable-rider combination. Provincial-based 1. Fielding has built a smart record, and resumes without publicly trialling. Won two of his last three before spelling, the latest sweeping home for a dominant win at Scone, and has earnt a trip to town. Include both home tracker 6. Walkin'talkin third-up with a 3kg allowance; and 7. Boomsong second-up; if you're playing trifectas and first fours.

How to play it: Vindication to win
Odds and Evens: Split

Now the mares' edition, and it's an even wider and tougher affair. Like Godophin four-year-old 6. Vientiane resuming for just her third start with a 3kg claim. Was a dominant debut winner from just behind the speed back in July, and impressed with a recent trial where she circled wide out and cruised through the line nicely under a good hold. By Lonhro out of a dual Listed winner.

Dangers: Provincial four-year-old 5. Tidal Impact shapes over the odds third-up from a soft draw, although has to carry 6kg more dropping in grade; while at bigger odds 4. Silk Tie is each-way value second-up, with a key gear addition. If you're going wide in the exotics include provincial visitors 8. Compassionate resuming with a 3kg claim off two progressive trials; and 12. Zetarita second-up.

How to play it: Vientiane to win
Odds and Evens: Split

The widest and toughest is saved for last, with any number of chances. Provincial mare 9. Ottilie represents terrific value here second-up, and dropping sharply in weight after the 3kg claim. Things didn't go to plan first-up at provincials in similar company when soft in betting, but much better suited here rolling forward from a middle gate. Sparingly raced, and bolted in second run last prep.

Dangers: Talented and lightly raced four-year-old 1. Jamesonheart has to overcome the outside barrier, but he's been very good in two runs back, and destined for bigger targets than this. A softer draw and the addition of blinkers can pay dividends for 7. Cool Lad deep into his prep; while both 14. Principessa fifth-up with blinkers added; and capable colt 15. West Of Africa resuming with blinkers coming off; are each-way chances.

How to play it: Ottilie each way
Odds and Evens: Odds

BEST BETS:

R5 5. VINDICATION
R6 6. VIENTIANE

BEST VALUE:
R7 9. OTTILIE

All the fields, form and replays for Wednesday's Warwick Farm meeting