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By Nick Berney

Tips and race by race preview by Nick Berney for Friday’s Taree meeting. Selections based on a soft track. Monitor for bias/pattern.

4. Bob finished second and beat the rest easily in a strong time race relative to the day at Newcastle 20 days ago. Further, he chased a fast tempo throughout and never shirked his task to the line. Further, the eventual winner King Frankel has since come out and run well in stronger grade. The five-year-old is rock-hard fit, brings the best last-start figure and has a favourable map. Each-way.

Dangers: Import 3. Jack Duggan wasn’t suited first-up in a moderate tempo at Scone, and he battled on ok. The gelding will undoubtedly improve from that run, and the step up in distance is ideal. 2. Into The Blue is a consistent type, and all his career peak figures have come on rain-affected ground.

How to play it: Bob E/W ($4.00 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Bob runs second at Newcastle on September 24

9. Venatic, who represents value, was specked $12-$10 on debut last prep and had excuses. The filly raced greenly and was forced into the inferior ground, but to her credit, she battled on well and tried hard to the line. The three-year-old resumes after one soft trial where she wasn’t extended and looks to have come back improved. Each-way.

Dangers: 10. War On Bling was outstanding first-up at Scone after racing four-wide throughout and was just beaten on the line in a solid time race. She receives a significant barrier change and maps to have all favours. 5. De Lovely lad brings a strong starting price profile to this event and has fitness edge.

How to play it: Venatic E/W ($6.00 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Venatic’s latest trial at Port Macquarie on October 8

1. Greek Hero was honest first-up in a Benchmark 78 at Randwick and had to race in the inferior ground throughout. Second-up, he got too far bar back in a slow tempo but ran on well into the placings, clocking the fastest final 200m split of the entire meeting in 11.50. The Jason Deamer trained runner sectional/ratings profile suggests he is ready to peak third-up. In addition, he maps to have all favours, brings the best last start figure and is proven on rain-affected ground. Hard to beat with even luck.

Dangers: 3. Super tried hard in defeat last start at Warwick Farm and ran on well. The seven-year-old hasn’t won in a long time but has a favourable map, and this is the easiest race he’s contested for some time. 4. Valleys Sister is ticking over well and receives a significant barrier change here.

How to play it: Greek Hero ($2.30 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Greek Hero first-up at Randwick on September 17

7. Deep Snow resumes and has trialled well, hitting the line hard in a fast time heat at Scone. The consistent type raced well last prep in time/sectional merit races, and his figures line up solidly against his rivals here. The gelding has had factors against him in his past two first-up efforts, and he can rate to win from the soft draw.

Dangers: 2. Poseidon Ruler has trialled well enough, and the in-from apprentice Anna Roper rides. He has a tricky gate but will undoubtedly be hitting the line. 5. Xtra Apporval had all favours winning a TAB Highway (1400m) last start but draws perfectly, and senior rider Grant Buckley rides.

How to play it: Deep Snow WIN ($2.90 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Deep Snow runs second in a trial at Newcastle on September 12

8. Little Beginnings raced in the inferior ground throughout on debut at Scone 21 days ago and was beaten in a photo finish. Moreover, he sprinted one of the meetings fastest 400m-200m splits in 11.44. The three-year-old is still immature but will improve with race experience and maps to have all favours.

Dangers: Debutante 11. Millennibarr has trialled well and went through the line full of energy in a recent heat at Port Macquarie. She has drawn well, and Ben Looker rides. 6.Denarvi is suited up in distance and 10. Jaex hit the line well first-up at Kembla.

How to play it: Little Beginnings WIN ($2.15 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Little Beginnings runs second at Scone on September 23

4. Dreamdeel resumed at Hawkesbury 15 days ago and was bravely defeated in a high-rating race with decisive margins. Further, he led at a fast tempo and never shirked his task to the line holding on for a place. That race rated highly relative to the day after adjusting for age, class and additional factors. The Allan Kehoe trained galloper profiles well for this race with a positive map and brings a strong provincial figure to this event. Will take some catching.

Dangers: 1. Dawso got too far back first-up and had to make his run through the inferior ground. The gelding will be fitter; the rise in distance is ideal, and a senior rider goes on. 14. Shbourne De Lago is ticking over ok this prep and brings a fitness edge. Add 8. Crownm and 13. Power Legend to trifectas and first fours.

How to play it: Dreamdeel WIN ($3.20 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Dreamdeel runs third at Hawkebsury on September 29

2. Gold Card had every chance last start at Port Macquarie but was honest running second, and there was a big gap to third. Further, he closed off strongly and ran some of the meeting’s fastest final 600m/400m/200m splits in 36.13/24.89/12.29. The gelding has a tricky draw but will roll forward with the in-form apprentice Anna Roper on board. In addition, she brings a competitive last-start figure and is a definite chance. Each-way.

Dangers: 9. Robarge maps to have all favours and brings strong form lines. Add 12. Milingimbi to trifectas and first fours, who gets the blinkers back on.

How to play it: Gold Card WIN ($3.90 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Gold Card runs second at Port Macquarie on September 25

9. Nevada Smoke, who represents value, resumes without an official trial but races well fresh and has a strong first-up record. The mare has a tricky gate but races at her home track, is proven on the rain-affected ground and can rate to win. Each-way.

Dangers: 12. Continuum was solid in defeat six days ago at Port Macquarie after sitting outside the leader at a genuine tempo and battled on well to hold second place. Expect an aggressive ride, and she will take some catching. 1. Ready To Chase maps to have all favours and drops in grade. 2. Slice Of Heaven had no luck first-up after starting favourite in a similar grade race.

How to play it: Nevada Smoke E/W ($13 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Nevada Smoke first-up last prep at Port Macquarie on January 21

Best Bet: Race 3 # 1 – Greek Hero

Next Best: Race 6 # 4 - Dreamdeel

Best Value: Race 8 # 9 – Nevada Smoke

All the fields, form and replays for Friday’s Taree meeting