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By Ray Hickson

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

6. Graceful Ellen looks hard to beat first-up since a couple of placings at the Sapphire Coast back in February where perhaps 1400m was just at the top of her range. Held together in her trial at the same track recently and has found a race that suits a lightly raced type like her.

Dangers: 7. Kobold has shaped up pretty well in three runs this time in and that’s been off an 18 month break. Ran on late into the minors on a heavy at this track before again finding the line into fourth at Dubbo when back in trip. Has a good chance. 1. Bosco proved quite disappointing on debut when sent out a well supported favourite at Wagga a couple of weeks ago. Seemed to have his chance in front there but much less depth in this field and he could be an improver. 2. Conversations is a 37 start maiden who is racing honestly enough without being a real factor in the finish. Has placed at this track previously and might sneak into the minor money.

How to play it: Graceful Ellen WIN ($1.75 TAB Fixed Odds).

Graceful Ellen runs second in a Sapphire Coast trial on June 8

1. All Astern wasn’t able to find the fence in front last time out at Wagga and weakened out of it. Won her past two in good style and with a senior rider taking over and barrier one, despite the weight, she should take some running down.

Dangers: 2. Vis I Do has been very hit and miss of late and perhaps he doesn’t like the Sapphire Coast because he’s been plain at his past two there of late. Two runs back he attacked the line into second at Albury. Gets in well with the 4kg claim and has to be considered. 5. Rail Trail looked promising when scoring his maiden win at Scone in April but the wheels may have fallen off in his past two starts. Freshened up since the latest where he ran last at Quirindi and he has the chance to bounce back. 6. Just One Look has had two runs back at provincial level and been safely held. Could place in the small field.

How to play it: All Astern WIN ($3.20 TAB Fixed Odds).

All Astern wins at Queanbeyan on May 11

4. Big Papa is on debut for the Bjorn Baker stable and he’s done everything right in his two barrier trials leading in. If anything the first one was visually better than the latest but draws one and sure to have every chance to be in the finish.

Dangers: 3. Marvel Man gave a great sight up front when resuming at Wellington and was just cut down near the line. Strongly supported favourite there too. Month between runs but a repeat performance would see him hard to beat. 6. Torquin is an interesting runner from the Baker yard. His debut effort was sound enough then failed at Queanbeyan as favourite in January. First trial was handy then latest inconclusive. Any support may be significant. 10. Rasloc hasn’t been placed in six starts but can forgive second-up run at Goulburn where she led on what proved to be the inferior ground. Could get into a placing.

How to play it: Big Papa WIN ($1.70 TAB Fixed Odds).

Big Papa runs second in a Rosehill trial on June 6

1. Bawnaglen is running into form and he backed up a sound effort from Warren with a narrow defeat at Scone where he kept finding the line. Has another 100m here and fourth-up should be close to his top so if he can continue that improvement he’ll go close.

Dangers: 3. Cuesta isn’t far off a win with a close second at Kembla Grange and a last start third at Wyong where she hit the front early in the straight and was run down. Whether 1400m is ideal is a query but back to country grade she’s a threat. 6. Turning Circle ran well from on speed at Parkes a month ago then fair effort when a big drifter in betting at Goulburn. Had a few chances but would have her in the mix. 2. Wire To Wire is a question mark after going around as favourite at Newcastle first-up and failing badly beaten 13 lengths. Gelded since then, gate one and he could turn it around.

How to play it: Bawnaglen WIN ($6 TAB Fixed Odds).

Bawnaglen runs second at Scone on June 10

8. Devils Daughter broke her maiden when resuming and has raced well in four starts since including a handy third at Goulburn a few weeks ago. Gets another shot at 2000m and it shouldn’t be an issue the way she hit the line three back at 1800m at this track. Sure to be a factor.

Dangers: 2. Bonus Tempus has only won two from 52 but is rarely too far away when in the right grade as shown at Sapphire Coast two runs back. Overlook latest effort at Canterbury, can handle this trip and drawn to get ever hope. 6. Yak has missed a place once in six starts at Bathurst for two wins and he was an all the way winner at Dubbo before a last start unplaced effort when up to 2400m at Warren. Generally an honest type who can give a good account. 4. Straight Fire is back in form with a game win at Canberra on the synthetic fourth-up. Was placed at 1800m at the end of last campaign and she’s a chance to repeat.

How to play it: Devils Daughter WIN ($4.20 TAB Fixed Odds).

Devils Daughter runs third at Goulburn on May 30

6. Speedy Henry went under as a $1.40 favourite at Dubbo a couple of weeks ago but happy to forgive as he didn’t ever look comfortable back in the field. Favourite when third to Tasoraay at Scone prior, which is good form, and if he does everything right he should be hard to stop.

Dangers: 7. Wonder Step was a brave first-up winner at Dubbo leading all the way at 1100m. Drifter in betting too so likely to have more improvement up his sleeve and on home track could take some running down. 8. Eilrahc has only won once in 26 start but off a freshen up he hit the line with plenty of purpose to get very close to Deion at Warren. If he holds form he’s an each-way chance. 3. Navios is first-up for Gayna Williams (ex-Peter Snowden) and wasn’t exposed when contesting a trial at Dubbo two weeks ago. Pay to keep safe fresh.

How to play it: Speedy Henry WIN ($1.90 TAB Fixed Odds).

Speedy Henry runs third at Scone on May 16

4. Grandini comes off a maiden win at start 11 but it was one with some authority despite a small margin and she’s creeping up to a more suitable distance. Has a very honest record and given she’s not yet hit her peak she could go on with the job without surprising.

Dangers: 7. Stonegate Lane scored an overdue, runaway, maiden win here on a heavy last month then up in class and far from disgraced when a close fourth at Wyong. Wide gate but rolls forward and has claims. 1. Tokyo Queen has first run for new stable and was a maiden winner at Newcastle back in March. Had two runs since then and disappointed slightly but might find this a bit easier than last time out at Kembla. Has a show. 6. Major Desire resumed with a handy second to Hell Of A Fox at Sapphire Coast but couldn't repeat the effort there last time. Worth another chance.

How to play it: Grandini WIN ($4.20 TAB Fixed Odds).

Grandini wins at Dubbo on June 6

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