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By Ray Hickson

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

8. Son Of Emperor was forced into leading at Canterbury and was run down but held the remainder comfortably. Prior to that arguably beat himself at this track when well supported. Not far off a win and this is his big chance.

Dangers: 5. Teofilo Star is a big query being an import first-up at a middle distance. Took on open class horses in his latest trial and any market moves should be respected. 1. Conference held off Son Of Emperor to win two starts back then struck a heavy 10 at Wyong two weeks ago and held on for third after leading. Can’t be left out. 6. Cosmic Miss has been behind the placings at her past two starts including the latest on a heavy at Canterbury. Could be placed here.

How to play it: Son Of Emperor WIN ($2.25 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Son Of Emperor runs second at Canterbury on December 10

3. Midori Beauty came from a long way back to win over this course on debut back in October in a very impressive performance. Had barrier issues since then but did trial quite well recently and if everything goes right he’ll take holding out. Read trainer Bjorn Baker's comments here.

Dangers: 2. Tick Tock Boom is new to the Annabel Neasham stable and was racing consistently in South East Queensland prior to the switch. Blinkers off, no trials for the new yard so keep a close eye on betting. 1. Yardstick hasn’t raced in this class since a close third at Hawkesbury back in April with four subsequent starts in city company. Drawn well and generally an on pacer. Capable of being in the finish. 4. Our Fox was narrowly beaten as favourite on a heavy track at Tuncurry first-up. Sure to run well again.

How to play it: Midori Beauty WIN ($2.60 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Midori Beauty wins at Gosford on October 7

7. Currency Queen looks very close to a win and she pulled significant ground off the winner when narrowly beaten at Tuncurry on a heavy track. Mile will be no worries and drawn to get a soft run. Good chance.

Dangers: 2. Den Moss has a tricky gate to overcome but is showing some promise having not put in a bad one yet. Boxed on well at 1400m at Tamworth last time and is well worth including. 6. Cristalino wasn’t particularly fancied starting $17 at her return at Mudgee earlier this month but did catch the eye running the winner to a short margin. She was a bit wayward there so possibly could have won. Each-way claims. 9. Manoeuvre has had a few chances but fitter for two runs back and worth forgiving his failure on a heavy 10 last time. First-up run was okay and has gate one so could improve.

How to play it: Currency Queen WIN ($4.00 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Currency Queen runs second at Tuncurry on December 6

9. Flying Shamus showed nice improvement from her first to second trials and there was something to like about how she finished off the latest to win at Hawkesbury. Drawn well and she might be a good each-way chance in an open race.

Dangers: 10. Wolf Queen went under as a $1.75 favourite on debut at Mudgee but it was a handy enough effort given it was a heavy track and she sat outside the lead only to be swamped late. Fitter for that and not to be underestimated. 8. Kingsley is a big watch with the switch to Sydney after two unplaced efforts in Victoria when in the market. Wouldn’t surprise if he improves sharply. 2. Dijon is on debut after a couple of trials and he certainly wasn’t asked for anything significant in the latest. Worth including in the chances.

How to play it: Flying Shamus E/W ($9.00 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Flying Shamus wins a trial at Hawkesbury on December 13

7. Nickelback has shown more than enough in his trials to suggest he can take beating on debut, especially having come up with gate one. Wasn’t let go in the latest as he ran a close second and he can be expected to run well.

Dangers: 2. Overlord has promised plenty but yet to really live up to it. Obviously had issues since his last run a year ago. Be guided by the market as he has the talent to be a player. 3. Destiny’s Bounty is trialling well enough to warrant including on debut. Comes into this off a 1050m trial and is another market watch. 13. Falsetto ran a much improved race first-up on a wet track at Canterbury leading and holding on for third. Has claims.

How to play it: Nickelback WIN ($3.10 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Nickelback runs second in a trial at Rosehill on December 14

2. Secretively comes off an easy heavy track at win at Kembla but he did it so easily in front and will likely be the one to take it up here. That win was off a two month break so could only be fitter and can take catching.

Dangers: 3. Moralist was saved from Warwick Farm on Wednesday to run here and is the type that should always be considered in this sort of race. Battled on okay last time at Hawkesbury on a heavy track and was placed in a BM72 at the Farm three back. Has claims. 4. Da Nang Star wound up his first prep with a win over 1300m at Hawkesbury in August. Trialled twice and was beaten a length by Jamaea in the latest. Keep safe. 1. Rifles can be hit and miss but his best is more than good enough. Two runs last prep were fair and he’s a big market watch.

How to play it: Secretively WIN ($2.30 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Secretively wins at Kembla Grange on December 11

9. Lucky Banner can be unlucky given her racing pattern but she does have a big finish and a wide gate may not be so bad for her, especially if the pace goes on. She’s hitting the line hard in Highways of late and is an each-way hope.

Dangers: 2. Crosscube has the best form coming into this race with placings here and at Warwick Farm behind some progressive types. Will press forward and look to be on speed again and if he gets any favours will be hard to beat. 5. Fiordland was a drifter in betting second-up in Australia and didn’t really fire but showed enough fresh to warrant another chance from a soft draw. 1. Sonic Tycoon finished close up when resuming at Hawkesbury then beat one home up to this trip at Warwick Farm. Back in class and if he’s going to strike some form he has the chance here.

How to play it: Lucky Banner E/W ($7.50 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Lucky Banner runs fourth at Rosehill on December 4

All the fields, form and replays for Thursday’s Gosford meeting