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By Ray Hickson

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

7. Hammoon Summer looks well placed in this field on the back of a handy first-up third at Dubbo where she was a drifter in betting but hit the line well. Second to Stefi Magnetica second-up last prep reads well and she’s the one to beat.

Dangers: 5. Sports Page hasn’t raced since December and appears with no public trial. Consistent record so far and has the advantage of gate one. Should run well. 4. Character Witness has been a little disappointing this time around in four runs back. If she’s going to feature it’ll be in this field which lacks a bit of depth. 8. She’s Good Value was beaten a long way in her only trial but she did work home pretty well. Could find herself in a placing without a big shock.

How to play it: Hammoon Summer WIN ($1.45 TAB Fixed Odds).

Hammoon Summer runs third at Dubbo on February 18

6. Canamble is an interesting runner on debut on the back of a very nice barrier trial win at Newcastle a couple of weeks ago. Draws ideally and likely to have upside given just the one trial. Has to be respected.

Dangers: 1. Too Darn Lovely is very fast and has led all the way in both wins. Up 2.5kg on her Quirindi win last month and will be the one to run down. 3. Brutal Love was given a decent hitout when winning his trial at Dubbo recently and there was a big gap to third. In top stable and stays under notice. 2. Bolshie stayed on without threatening on debut at Newcastle in a 900m scamper. Likely better for it and no surprise to see improvement here.

How to play it: Canamble WIN ($4.00 TAB Fixed Odds).

Canamble wins a Newcastle trial on February 28

CLASS 1 & MAIDEN

3. D’Oro Choice isn’t far off a win if his last couple are any guide. Steps up to the mile after hitting the line nicely at Orange last week. Likely gives away a start again but if they can run on he should be somewhere in the finish.

Dangers: 6. Karaoke King has won one from 28 but is another hovering around a breakthrough. Is back in trip on his last few but in arguably deeper races so he might have a good chance. 1. A Pound Of Salt should be at his peak after three runs back and should appreciate the step up to the mile now. Has each-way claims. 10. White Arendelle has been a little disappointing but has a good set up here to run well on the speed down slightly in grade.

How to play it: D’Oro Choice WIN ($3.40 TAB Fixed Odds).

D’Oro Choice runs third at Orange on March 11

3. Aimpoint has a serious drop in class on an even effort in the Championships at Mudgee. Raced without luck in Highways before that and stepping to the mile now looks to suit him. Good chance to bounce back.

Dangers: 4. Competition went down fighting at Dubbo last week over this trip and looks to be not far off another win. One of the major chances. 9. Avalicious is a consistent type and stays under notice given two of her three career wins are at this track. Sound on the pace at Cowra last time and has each-way claims. 6. Weave That Web is back in distance having won at 2000m two runs back and placed at 2100m last week but is fit and sure to be around the mark again.

How to play it: Aimpoint WIN ($4.80 TAB Fixed Odds).

Aimpoint runs fifth at Mudgee on February 25

9. Peony Surprise had her first run for the new stable at Dubbo and wasn’t disgraced when finding the 1100m too sharp. This suits a bit better and she should be competitive.

Dangers: 8. Mrs Bull doesn’t run bad races it’s just she finds it a little hard to break through as her 21 starts would suggest. But she’s been placed in 12 of them including her last six so she’s hard to leave out. 3. The Nomad was runner-up here in December and resumed with a handy fifth from the back at Dubbo in the same race as Platinum Warrior. Must be considered.

How to play it: Peony Surprise WIN ($3.60 TAB Fixed Odds).

7. Plenitude will find this a lot easier than his last couple against some smart up and comers. Blinkers go on, draws well, top jockey and much easier company all point to him being hard to beat in a much more winnable race.

Dangers: 3. Rouge Moulin is the logical danger on his two solid runs for the Robb stable. The 4kg claim is a big plus and he should be in this for a long way. 2. Dream Game drew wide and wasn’t disgraced finishing midfield at Dubbo last time out. Capable type who will need some luck again but can’t be left out of the chances. 5. Green Run hasn’t raced since January and first start for new stable since finishing down the track at Eagle Farm. Top jockey on board and stays under notice.

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

Plenitude runs fourth at Dubbo on February 5

7. Gallant Star is the rightful favourite and brings easily the strongest form into this race. Big Highway winner three back then placed at Rosehill and his last start fourth at Canterbury was a good pointer to go to the 1400m. The one to beat.

Dangers: 1. Listen To The Band won this race last year and hasn’t raced since due to injury. He’s had three trials going in and the latest was a bit race-like. If he’s right he’s a major threat. 2. Elson Boy is the likely leader and he’s hit his straps of late with a game effort at Mudgee and an easy Dubbo win last week. May lack a little class of the favourite but can give a sight. 3. Sizzle Minizzle won the Country Championships Final at Randwick last year but hasn’t been the same horse since, albeit in stronger company. Can’t undersell him as he’s good enough if he finds his form.

How to play it: Gallant Star WIN ($1.80 TAB Fixed Odds).

Gallant Star runs fourth at Canterbury on February 16

6. Don’t Call Me Honey is straight out of a maiden but did the job well at Scone beating a subsequent winner comfortably over 1000m. Can only better for the win and has more upside than most so he holds the key to this race.

Dangers: 5. Canny Prospect comes off a popular win at Dubbo a month ago where he drew wide and swept home from near the tail. Honest type and hard to leave out. 4. Sisters Pick disappointed behind Canny Prospect last start but did win quite well from the front at Parkes prior. Each-way chance. 7. Obey has run well here previously and resumes without a public trial. Draws well and has each-way claims.

How to play it: Don’t Call Me Honey WIN ($1.95 TAB Fixed Odds).

Don’t Call Me Honey wins at Scone on February 27

All the fields, form and replays for Sunday’s Country Championships meeting at Coonamble