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By John Schell

(Selections based on a soft track)

1. Foxwell started as an odds-on favourite last time out at Parkes and he ran well enough in that event when finishing third. He’s been placed in five of seven starts and looks to get his chance to score in this.

Dangers: 4. Sebilla debuted with a second at Coonamble at the end of last year. She resumes here and looks to have to talent to give this a shake. 5. Shutter was midfield at this track at her only start and should be improved by that hitout. 10. Devoted Deputy is drawn wide and comes into this on the back of a midfield Scone effort. He can be placed here without surprising.

How to play it: Foxwell WIN.

1. Zampano was favourite when scoring a win on debut at Tamworth. He is at a lot shorter quote in this and has the form on the board to go on with the job. This race looks a nice stepping stone for him.

Dangers: 3. Aquafire had looked good in a couple of trials before debuting with a fourth at Grafton when not beaten far. He can measure up here with a repeat of that. 8. Rivana will appreciate the drop in grade here having contested the Woodlands Stakes at Scone last time out. 9. Cutepi contested the Miss Finland at Muswellbrook when last produced and will also find this much easier.

How to play it: Zampano WIN.

9. Akauwheo has only won one race from 15 starts but she ran well enough at Tamworth when finishing third behind A Silvery Warrior after leading. She has the ability to give this a shake.

Dangers: 1. Global Encounter ran well at Scone three starts ago when finishing third. He has since finished eighth in each of two runs at Newcastle. He has the ability at his best to give this a shake. 3. Nature Boy is an on-pace runner that has performed well of late and was a last start second at Grafton. He can give cheek here. 8. Snow Star wasn’t beaten too far at Tamworth last time out and had a string of placings to her name before that. She can figure again here without surprising.

How to play it: Akauwheo WIN.

9. Wild Flash is still a maiden after six starts but he has shown enough potential in his career to suggest he can make an impact in this. He finished second at Hawkesbury two starts ago, then finished midfield when not beaten far at Tamworth when last produced.

Dangers: 6. Need A Miracle had solid form in Victoria before changing stables and is on debut for a new trainer here. He warrants respect. 7. Tavros has been placed in two of his three starts and is well worth including among the main chances in this. 10. Bright Legend ran well at this track at her first run for the new stable and is worth place thought again.

How to play it: Wild Flash WIN.

11. Hallowed Star has been racing well of late having finished fifth at Moree before running third at Warren when last produced He’s only won one race from 16 starts but looks to have to the ability to give this a big shake.

Dangers: 1. Blue Steel was a Quirindi winner at just his third start when last stepping out. He looks to have the ability to give this a shake. 2. Major Makeover is a winner of one from eight and ran well at Scone at Tamworth before a last start failure at Muswellbrook. He can improve here. 3. Magic Shot is drawn wide but has been thereabouts of late and is not out of this.

How to play it: Hallowed Star EACH WAY.

2. Casino Lord has tackled much tougher races that this in his career. He contested the Concorde Stakes and The Shorts in September 2023, and wasn’t disgraced in either of them. He scored a strong win in the Town Plate at Wellington last time out and can go on with the job in this.

Dangers: 3. Defiant Heart finished fifth at Quirindi in February then failed at Wyong in March before being freshened for this. He has a good record and only needs to run up to his best in order to be a leading contender here. 7. Leave Me Some has been racing well and wasn’t beaten far when a last start fourth at Wyong. He can show up here without surprising. 9. Iron Hat will find this easier than his latest start at Newcastle and a bold showing is on the cards in this company.

How to play it: Casino Lord WIN.

1. Akasawa has a great record with eight wins from 17 starts. He was midfield in the Big Dance at Randwick last November, and since then he was a close-up fourth in the Country Classic at Rosehill, before resuming from a spell with a fast finishing third in the Tamworth Cup behind Gringotts. He’d drawn well in this and Aaron Bullock takes the ride.

Dangers: 4. Blackcomb ran well when fourth in the Albury Cup then finished fourth again t Gosford last time out. She’s won a recent trial leading into this. 7. Convincebility was midfield at Warwick Farm last time out and is capable of figuring in the placings here. 8. Russley Crown is an on-pace runner which has the ability to give this a shake if he’s anywhere near his best.

How to play it: Akasawa WIN.

12. Miss Nicolini has been racing well of late, albeit in easier grade with wins at Walcha and Narrabri in two of her last three starts. She has the services of Grant Buckley which is in her favour, and she’s drawn well.

Dangers: 1. Magnus Red has had two runs back from a lengthy spell and followed a third at Tamwrth with a last start sixth as favourite at Bathurst. He is ready to peak here. 5. Regatta resumes here and has a win and two placings to his name from four starts. He should give cheek in this. 11. Nyali Sands resumed with a second at Tamworth and looks to have the ability to give this a shake.

How to play it: Miss Nicolini EACH WAY.

Best Bets:
Race 6 (2) Casino Lord
Race 7 (1) Akasawa.

Best Value:
Race 8 (12) Miss Nicolini.

All the fields, form and replays for Sunday's Gunnedah meeting