Latest News

By John Schell

Selections based on a soft track

6. Sea Me Dance was down the track at Scone two starts ago but then bounced back in style to score a last start win at Quirindi on Boxing Day. She scored by a massive margin as favourite in that event and, while this is harder, she can repeat the does in this small field. 3. Mellencamp has been midfield in his latest two starts at Scone and on the Beaumont track at Newcastle and looks set to show up here on his best form. 7. Think I’m Irish is on the quick back up after scoring at Port Macquarie yesterday and should take running down again. 8. Cheeky Nugget has been just behind the placings in each of his latest two starts and is suited by the small field here.

How to play it: Sea Me Dance WIN.

8. Fannoir is on debut and has had two trials in preparation. He won the first of them at Scone in April and the latest at Tamworth last month. This looks a nice race for him to kick off in. 1. Agent Max ran well on debut at Taree and should run well in this. 7. Euroka Abby is on debut and has had a solid trial. She warrants respect. 9. Repeat Offender is on debut after one trial and bears close watching.

How to play it: Fannoir WIN.

10. Odaka has had two starts back from a spell for a third at Hawkesbury and a fourth on the Beaumont track at Newcastle. She has a solid record and should be hard to hold out again. 11. Tetsu Belle was down the track when last produced but can lift on that now. 5. Bellevue resumed from a spell with a fifth at Hawkesbury and should be ready to improve into this. 3. Maximum Ride has been racing well and can get into the minor money again here without surprising.

How to play it: Odaka WIN.

4. Speedy Target has a solid record with two wins and six placings from 18 starts. He’s been racing well with two second placings from his past two starts and only needs to run up to that to be hard to hold out fresh in this. 8. Kermitisapet was a last start winner at Taree back in May. She’s had a recent trial and should be primed to run well. 1. Ex Wife waa a winner two starts ago and is a chance here on that run. 5. Cupid’s Kiss ran well last time out and is far from the worst here.

How to play it: Speedy Target WIN.

1. Surpasser is a well-bred galloper that had a few trials before debuting with a fourth on the Beaumont track at Newcastle when only beaten just over a couple of lengths. He should be set to go on with the job in this event and run well again. 4. Top Speed has only had a couple of starts and should be primed to run well again. 3. Lune D’Excellene has been down on form of late butt is more than capable of improving in this. 12. Tesorino ran well when last produced and is not out of this.

How to play it: Suprasser WB.

1. Etoile Filante had solid form and was just behind the placings before being spelled. He’s had four starts since resuming and ran well wan a last start third on the Beaumont track at Newcastle If he can run up to that effort he should be hard to hold out again. 3. Lord Vettori has been racing well with a strong win at Grafton two starts ago before a last start second on the Beaumont track at Newcastle when hitting the line well as favourite. 2. Star Prediction was midfield in a Highway when last produced and only needs to run up to that again to be hard to hold out. 6. Herman Said has a handy record and is not out of this.

How to play it: Etoile Filante WIN.

6. Mission Bravo was a strong winner at Taree three starts ago and was then third at Tuncurry. He was down the track at Warwick Farm when last produced but can improve here. 5. Think We’re There has been disappointing of late but can improve here. 3. Monty Be Quick ran well when placed at Hawkesbury when last produced and should be thereabouts again. 1. Full Press is rarely too far away and can get into the minor money again here.

How to play it: Mission Bravo EACH WAY.

6. Antilocapra is resuming from a spell here but had solid form before the break including a narrow Gunnedah win and a close second behind subsequent city winner Super Norwest in a Highway at Rosehill. She only has to return in that form to be the one to beat in this. 3. Speedy Henry was a winner at Bathurst in June and then resumed with a fourth at Gosford last month. He is set to run well. 2. Navy Steel was a Muswellbrook winner before finishing midfield in a Randwick Highway and has claims, while 11. Zelestial is resuming and looks set to sprint well fresh.

How to play it: Antilocapra WIN.

Best Bets:
Race 5 (1) Surpasser.
Race 8 (6) Antilocapra.

Best Value:
Race 7 (6) Mission Bravo.

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