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By John Schell

Selections based on a good track

8. Fools Play has only had six starts but has been placed in five of them. She’s had three runs back from a spell with a resuming second at Coffs Harbour being followed by a third and a second at Grafton. She’s drawn well in this and looks to be the one to beat.

Dangers: 9. Our Sparky is on debut and has had a couple of solid recent trials to prepare. He is primed for a solid effort. 3. Smokehouse Brown wasn’t beaten far at Grafton last time out and is worth some thought here. 7. Swanbrook Gem was midfield at Grafton last time out and has place claims on that effort.

How to play it: Fools Play WIN.

4. Another Gift hasn’t been too far away of late and has strong claims to break his maiden here in a race depleted with scratchings despite having had 17 chances without success in his career.

Dangers: 2. Wellerman is yet to figure in the placings from five starts but this looks to be within his reach. 6. Lady Of The Hunter was placed at Coffs Harbour last time out and can figure in the minor money again. 5. Another Success looks the next best.

How to play it: Another Gift WIN.

7. Figment has a solid record with three placings from six starts and returns to racing her after a brief freshen-up. She was placed on the Beaumont track when resuming then finished third at Scone before a close-up effort at Wyong as favourite and then finishing third at Gosford last time out. That form looks good enough for her to be able to break through in this event.

Dangers: 3. Voigner was placed in both Port Macquarie runs last campaign after failing on debut at Gosford prior to that. He’s resuming here on the back of two trials and should be ready to give a bold sight. 9. Silent Tomahawk is a filly on debut and has won each of her two trials. She has talent and is worth including among the main chances. 4. Glorien was placed at this track two starts back then failed at Scone before being spelled. She can run well fresh here.

How to play it: Figment WIN.

1. Exsensible had been racing well before contesting an event at this track back in November and winning in good style as a short-priced favourite when leading throughout. He was spelled following that event and has finished second in a barrier trial leading into this return to racing. The apprentice allowance of Chelsea Hillier should assist.

Dangers: 7. Menari Miss is a last start Quirindi winner when leading throughout and has claims again, while 4. Pocket Picker isn’t the most reliable but has place claims here. 3. In Front is resuming from a lengthy layoff and shouldn’t be underestimated.

How to play it: Exsensible WIN.

10. Adviser wasn’t beaten too far at Gunnedah last time out despite finishing back in the field. He was beaten less than a length when finishing fifth at this track three starts ago and he bobs up with a win and a placing every now and again.

Dangers: 2. Magic Shot was racing well at the end of last campaign with a couple of third placings being followed by a Quirindi victory. He’s won a trial leading into this return to racing. 1. Awesome Miss has been below best of late but can improve here from the inside gate. 6. The Affirmative wasn’t beaten too far last time out despite finishing down the track. She’s not the worst here.

How to play it: Adviser EACH WAY.

2. Red Beryl has a pretty good record with eight wins to his name and a further eight placings from 50 starts. That sort of form looks good enough for him to be considered one of the leading contenders in what isn’t an overly hard race.

Dangers: 1. Smoke Bomb was outclassed at Canterbury two starts ago then took on the Quirindi Cup last time out and finished second at big odds. This is an easier assignment. 6. Zoffany’s Gaze followed a Tamworth win with a fourth at Scone when hitting the line well and has claims here. 5. I’m On Break was safely held when fourth at Tamworth at his latest start and is not out of this from the good gate.

How to play it: Red Beryl WIN.

4. Quick As A Flash was a solid winner at this track two starts ago when resuming from a spell, then was down the track at Tamworth. She has talent and can bounce back here.

Dangers: 2. Vis I Do has been just behind the placings in his latest two starts. He was only beaten just over a length at Tamworth last weekend and is one of the leading contenders here. 6. Superargo has finished fifth in each run either side of a spell and a placing here wouldn’t surprise. 11. Deebo was a last start Tamworth winner in January and has had a trial since to be kept up to the mark for this.

How to play it: Quick As A Flash WIN.

Best Bets:
Race 3 (7) Figment.
Race 4 (1) Exsensible.

Best Value:
Race 5 (10) Adviser.

All the fields, form and replays for Monday's meeting at Armidale