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By John Schell

Selections based on a good track

6. Byron’s Farm showed good improvement when leading and battling on well to finish second at this track at just his third start. He’s drawn to advantage in barrier one here and a repeat of his latest effort would have him hard to hold out in this.

Dangers: 1. Hot Extraction has been placed in five of his 11 starts and comes into this on the back of a trial win at Bathurst after failing to finish at this track last tine out. He has the talent to give this a shake. 7. Man From Brussells debuted with a second at Queanbeyan then resumed with a down the track effort at Warwick Farm. He will find this easier. 9. The Mooch has only been placed once but this isn’t overly hard and he could figure in the minor money.

How to play it: Byron’s Farm EACH WAY.

1. Kelilah stepped up in grade last time out and was far from disgraced in the CDRA Country Championships at Mudgee when sixth behind Lockdown Gamble. She will find this a much easier assignment and she can bounce back to winning form.

Dangers: 8. Miss Monopoly is resuming from a spell and has had two trials in preparation. She has won fresh and should give a good account in this. 10. Suomenlinna has a poor winning record but runs into the placings every now and again and this looks withinhis reach. 5. Danjel was placed at Queanbeyan three starts ago and could figure in the minor money again.

How to play it: Kelilah WIN.

4. Foxtrot Bravo scored in good style at Moruya three starts ago and since then he’s run well when finishing second in a couple of runs at the Sapphire Coast, the latest being on February 19. He’s drawn the inside barrier here and should get the run of the race.

Dangers: 3. Weave That Web has been racing in good form and followed a string of placings with a last start Bathurst victory. He can go on with the job here. 1. Eva’s Deel has been racing below her best of late but an improvement wouldn’t surprise against these. 2. Our Orator will find this easier than his last start effort in the CDRA Country Championships at Mudgee.

How to play it: Foxtrot Bravo WIN.

3. Takeover Artist debuted at Gosford last November and finished down the track before being spelled. He’s had a trial to prepare for this return and finished fourth in that at Warwick Farm. Expect a bold first-up showing here.

Dangers: 6. Bold Cherie started favourite here on debut when finishing fourth and can be thereabouts again. 7. Can Do Canto was placed at Nowra last time out and has place claims again. 2. Risky Revolution is on debut and a placing wouldn’t surprise.

How to play it: Takeover Artist WIN.

7. Russian Zarina is a lightly raced filly with just three starts to her name but she’s shown plenty of ability. She debuted with a third at Queanbeyan before finishing second at Taree and then broke through with a maiden victory at Gosford before being spelled. She’s had a trial against good company leading into this and has drawn the rails.

Dangers: 3. Titan Star finished second at this track two starts ago then scored a win at Canberra last time out. He’s racing well to give this a shake. 4. Time Bandit resumed with a second at Nowra before scoring a win at that track at her latest start. She has claims again. 6. Barcoo River comes into this on the back of a last start win at Bathurst and is not the worst here.

How to play it: Russian Zarina WIN.

3. O’Explosive had one run last year when failing to beat a runner home and was then spelled. He resumed in January with a fourth at Queanbeyan before following a third at Bathurst with a last start second at Mudgee behind Canadian Express. He’s drawn well in this and can be expected to take up a prominent position from the outset and take plenty of beating.

Dangers: 5. Phantom Flight hasn’t figured in the placings in his three starts but is resuming from a spell in this on the back of two trials. He is capable of improving enough to be rated a place chance here. 12. Kovanos resumed from a spell with a second at this track and must be respected again here. 11. Kimono has been out of the placings of late but hasn’t been beaten far and can make an impact here without surprising.

How to play it: O’Explosive WIN.

4. Canadian Express looked good in his first two starts when finishing second in each of them at Queanbeyan and Nowra. He backed up that form with a strong win at Mudgee at his third start over stablemate O’Explosive. He only needs to maintain that form to be hard to hold out again.

Dangers: 3. Kenology had shown ability in his career before finally breaking through with a maiden win last time out. He can go on with the job now that he’s found winning form. 2. Obelius has been racing well with placings in three of his four starts since winning at Tuncurry. He has strong claims again in this. 7. Bon Zipper was a Cowra winner three starts ago and comes into this on the back of a last start third at Mudgee.

How to play it: Canadian Express WIN.

Best Bets:
Race 2 (1) Kelilah.
Race 5 (7) Russian Zarina.

Best Value:
Race 4 (3) Takeover Artist.

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