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By John Schell

Selections based on a soft track

1. Great Cosmic is a gelding on debut here for a good stable. He had two trials earlier in the year and has since had another recent one in which he finished fifth at this track. He should be primed to run well. 8. Silent Serenade is on debut and has had one trial for a fifth at Scone. She’s drawn the inside gate here. 3. It’s A Tata is also on debut ad has had one trial for a fifth at Wellington. Expect improvement under race conditions in this. 2. Billabong Alvin had his first start when sixth at Coonamble and should be better for that experience.

How to play it: Great Cosmic WIN.

9. Power Cruise is a three-year-old gelding on debut for trainer Kris Lees with Andrew Gibbons taking the ride. He’s had two trials in preparation for this and should be cherry ripe to run a bold race. 2. Dartbrook has been racing well and followed a string of placings with a last start fourth at this track. He should be thereabouts again. 5. Sethnique resumes here for a new stable and bears close watching fresh. 6. Wanavan was a last start fourth at this track and has been placed in three of eight starts.

How to play it: Power Cruise WIN.

11. Oakfield Virginia is a filly making her race debut here. She has had two recent trials and finished third in the latest of them at Gosford behind subsequent race winner Balmain Darling. 6. Kickoff is a member of the form stable of Tracey Bartley and comes into this on the back of a last start fourth at Port Macquarie. 2. Brutal Elegance debuted with a fifth at Muswellbrook in March and has had two solid trials to prepare for this return to racing. 12. Wootton Please hasn’t done a lot in two starts to date but is capable of improving sharply here.

How to play it: Oakfield Virginia WIN.

3. Storm Park has had two runs back from a spell for a sixth at Wyong and a fifth at Hawkesbury. He will appreciate the drop back to country class here and the step up in distance should suit. 4. Bellini Spritz has been placed in three of four runs since resuming and she was a maiden winner at Quirindi before the spell. 12. I Am Smiling ran well when a last start third at Forbes after arriving in a new stable and warrants respect. 5. Bonfidelity took on city grade at Doomben last time out and will find this an easier assignment.

How to play it: Storm Park WIN.

3. Suit Day was placed in a couple of starts before two fourths on the Beaumont track at Newcastle and then this track. He since hit the line well for a last start third at Coffs Harbour and only needs to run up to that to be hard to hold out here. 10. Dash By raced on the speed and fought on well enough for a last start placing here and can show up again. 7. Ghaznavi won in good style at Scone two starts ago and followed that up with a last start sixth here. 2. Point Out was down the track in the same race Suit Day contested last time out.

How to play it: Suit Day EACH WAY.

4. Release Point was first-up from a spell when hitting the line well to finish a close second at Scone in June. He’s fresh for this and should sprint well again. 8. Arambys has had two starts back from a spell and wasn’t beaten far at this track last time out. 11. Halle Bee was a strong winner at this track three starts ago and since followed a second at Moree with a ninth here. 9. Sharpen The Knives was placed at this track when last produced and has place claims again.

How to play it: Release Point WIN.

2. Nimble Star is a highly promising galloper with three wins to his name from four starts, losing the rider in his only defeat on debut. He scored as favourite at Wellington when resuming and can go on with the job. 6. Occult impressed when scoring with ease on debut for the new stable here last time out and has had a tick over trial since then. 5. Tough Guy has won two from two here and at Muswellbrook since joining a new stable and warrants respect, while 7. Girrawheen scored as favourite at Dubbo when last produced.

How to play it: Nimble Star WIN.

2. Cumnock is a talented sprinter at best. He won at Dubbo four starts ago and has taken on Highway grade in town without success at his latest two starts. This should be easier. 1. Spirit Of Pluto won a couple on end at Armidale last October and November and was spelled after a sixth at that track. He resumes here. 10. It Stays In Vegas broke through in hood style to score at Moree last time out and is a chance on that effort. 11. Simpy Better is resuming after two trials and won the latest of them at Wellington.

How to play it: Cumnock WIN.

Best Bets:
Race 2 (9) Power Cruise.
Race 3 (11) Oakfield Virginia.

Best Value:
Race 5 (3) Suit Day.

All the fields, form and replays for Friday's Tamworth meeting