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By John Schell

Selections based on a soft track

1. Blue Kingdom is a well-bred gelding on debut with Aaron Bullock taking the ride. He’s had two recent barrier trials since joining the Lou Mary stable for a second at Scone and a close-up third at Gunnedah. He’s drawn to advantage here and should take a power of beating. 2. Highland Mirage has been placed in eight of 20 starts. He resumes here having finished second on the Beaumont track at Newcastle and then at Port Macquarie before being spelled. 5. Prince Rupert hit the line well when a last start third at Coffs Harbour and should be in the thick of things again with a repeat of that effort, while 11. Nikody’s Binks wasn’t beaten too far at Grafton when last produced and is not out of this.

How to play it: Blue Kingdom WIN.

1. Oakfield Pluto is on debut and has had two trials either side of a break. He ran third in the first of them at Scone and then finished a close second in the most recent on the Beaumont track at Newcastle. Bullock takes the ride in this from barrier two. 7. Fast Blue is first-up from a spell and has had two trials to prepare, winning the latest of them on the Beaumont track. He’s been placed in two of nine starts and is worth including. 11. Tampa Bay followed a second at Scone with a last start fourth at Muswellbrook. She looks to have the talent to figure prominently. 12. Volare has been placed in two of her seven starts and should be ready to sprint well fresh in this.

How to play it: Oakfield Pluto WIN.

5. Bold Splendor was just behind the placings in a couple of runs at Coonabarabran and Gosford before a fifth at Gosford and then a last start fifth at Scone when beaten less than two lengths. She’s drawn well and is ready to bounce back to winning form. 1. In Iso was placed in a couple of starts at Wyong before a last start sixth of six at Gosford. He can improve on that in this field. 2. Prince Is Game finished fourth at this track when last produced and has claims on that effort, while 3. Straight Through won well at Grafton last time out and is worth thought.

How to play it: Bold Splendor WIN.

3. Toomuchinformation was resuming from a spell when a last start second at Muswellbrook. He raced on the speed in that event and fought on well. He’s drawn to get the run of the race in this. 4. Mr Damage wasn’t beaten far when resuming with a fifth at Coffs Harbour and can be in the thick of things again. 5. Withstand wasn’t beaten far when sixth in the same race Toomuchinformation contested last time out. 9. Exorealm ran well when third at Coffs Harbour two starts ago and can show up with a repeat of that.

How to play it: Toomuchinformation WIN.

2. Show ‘Em Howl has had two starts back from a spell for a fourth in a Randwick Highway and a fifth in a Rosehill 3YO BM72. He’s a winner at this track and this looks a nice race for him to get back into winning form. 6. King Soleil wasn’t far away at Grafton after leading last time out and warrants thought again. 7. Albanian Star is a former Victorian with solid form for a race like this, while 8. All Too Rosey was placed at this track two starts ago as favourite.

How to play it: Show ‘Em Howl WIN.

2. Sprightly is a well performed galloper that come into this on the back of a last start win at Port Macquarie. He’s a winner at this track and has drawn ideally in gate two for this assignment. 1. Mega Fight was midfield at Port Macquarie before a last start fifth at Tamworth. He’s racing well enough to give this a shake. 4. Oakfield Echidna resumed from a spell with a narrow win at Muswellbrook before running well again when a last start second at big odds at Hawkesbury. He’s drawn wide here but should run well again. 5. Smashing Dancer failed at Wyong when last produced but was thereabouts in her latest two starts before that.

How to play it: Sprightly EACH WAY.

1. Bodhi Boy is a talented performer that won his first three starts before taking on the MNC Country Championships in which he failed before being spelled. He won a trial before resuming with a second at Newcastle and looks the one to beat here despite the big weight. 4. Critical Time was placed at Taree before being spelled and then resumed with a solid third at Grafton when doing his best work late. He looks placed to advantage in this. 3. Supreme Command won at Port Macquarie before a midfield Highway effort at Rosehill and a last start third at Muswellbrook. A bold showing is on the cards. 7. Kayz Time resumed with a second placing at Taree and has since finished fifth in each of two starts at Port Macquarie and Coffs Harbour. She shouldn’t be taken lightly.

How to play it: Bodhi Boy WIN.

Best Bets:
Race 2 (1) Oakfield Pluto.
Race 7 (1) Bodhi Boy.

Best Value:
Race 6 (2) Sprightly.

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