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By Ray Hickson

Tips and race by race preview by Ray Hickson for Sunday’s Narromine meeting. Selections based on a soft to heavy track.

11. Scarlet Monarch has good speed and should relish the short course first-up from a handy draw. Fitter for a trial win earlier in the week, drawn to put herself right there and has found a winnable race. Should run well.

Dangers: 9. Blind Squirrel trialled on the same day as her stablemate and looked to do it quite comfortably. Drawn out a bit but any support for her would be a good push. 6. Yes Ma is another drawn out a bit but was a short priced favourite when running fifth at Newcastle first-up a couple of months ago. Keep in mind. 5. Elderberry Wine was big odds at her only start back at the end of December and she held on okay over the 1000m there. Interesting to see if she can be competitive here fresh with no public trial.

How to play it: Scarlet Monarch WIN.

Scarlet Monarch wins a Gosford trial on August 18

8. Wanavan looks well placed here after a couple of nice runs at Tamworth and coming back might be in his favour after just weakening late when third there at 1200m. Drops 4.5kg after the claim and expect him to be hard to beat.

Dangers: 7. It’s A Tata might have beaten only one home at Tamworth on debut but the run was still okay and he’ll be better for it. No surprise to see some improvement. 6. Willow Capri is an interesting first starter for Rod Northam with just the one quiet trial at Scone. If there’s support for her she’d be worth including. 5. Litlfela made some late ground from well back at Gilgandra at his first outing and likely will be suited by the bigger track. Each-way.

How to play it: Wanavan WIN.

Wanavan runs third at Tamworth on August 15

7. My Kind Of Girl hasn’t landed on the podium yet in 12 starts but she signalled something is coming with an eye-catching fourth at Dubbo two weeks ago. She drew the outside and was a lot way off them before charging down the middle. Kinder draw and has a good each-way chance.

Dangers: 10. Territories Spirit led them up and battled on for fourth on debut at Moree in July. Fitter for a tickover trial and might be a bit harder to beat this time. 6. Hard Rattle has had a few chances but isn’t usually too far away. Raced handy at Wellington and held on for third. Has to handle the extra trip but is in the mix. 12. Winning Reign is another long time maiden but ran on into a placing at Bathurst last start. Probably has to get back a bit but should be strong late.

How to play it: My Kind Of Girl WIN.

My Kind Of Girl runs fourth at Dubbo on August 10

8. Saintly Sands is going to relish the step up in distance after two very good runs since a break. Drawn out in both runs and charged home, the latest at 1400m at Tamworth when a close second. Ideally placed here and is entitled to go close.

Dangers: 5. Just On Fire was shaping up okay prior to a fair effort at Dubbo over the mile two weeks ago as favourite. Did race a bit handier than usual there so entitled to another chance. 10. Castro had some support at odds when making a promising debut over 1300m at Forbes. Rise in trip looks nice as does a bigger track and he’s one to keep an eye on. 2. Down The Kooka worked home okay just behind the placings at Dubbo when a drifter in betting. Each-way claims here.

How to play it: Saintly Sands WIN.

Saintly Sands runs second at Tamworth on August 7

9. Kantishna is lightly raced with a handy record and gets in light after the claim. Fitter for a trial and any improvement in the track would be a plus. She can make some use of the inside draw and be within range and if that’s the case then she should be hard to hold out.

Dangers: 12. Romantic Love has been a little disappointing in two runs back but gets a 3kg drop in the weights on his last run at Warren five weeks ago. Form last time in was honest and chance to improve. 2. Destiny’s Bounty has run well at both starts this time in and is another down in weight a bit. Placed only run at this track, drawn well and capable of showing up. 1. Castlebar Road is a very good short courser with a couple of wins at this track and distance to his name. Wide gate a minus but the claim helps him and no surprise if he gives some cheek.

How to play it: Kantishna WIN.

Kantishna runs second in a Scone trial on August 13

1. Hard Too Impress has been competitive in all four runs this time in for placings in three of them and he did run on well into fourth at Wagga in the latest. Looks to have struck a race without a lot of depth and will have a good chance to break through.

Dangers: 6. Mean Girls is a consistent type whose recent win was at the picnics but three runs since then sound including a placing in a similar sort of race to this. Worth some each-way thought. 4. Saint Philomena was a maiden winner at Mudgee in July and two runs since then sound enough. Held ground at Dubbo two weeks ago. Has a show. 2. Denman Deputy is only lightly raced and was beaten a length when fifth at Dubbo over 1100m. Nicely drawn and could be an improver.

How to play it: Hard Too Impress WIN.

Hard Too Impress runs fourth at Wagga on August 4

3. See You Then is coming off a maiden win, which she achieved in the last stride, but she’s got the upside and should be looking for the extra ground now after four starts at 1000m or below. Rises in weight without a claim now but good chance.

Dangers: 1. Jason Darren drew wide and led them up when resuming at Tamworth over this trip and just weakened for a midfield finish. Fitter for that and while drawn out again could be a bit harder to run down. 4. Grand Oyster has improved with each run back and made some good ground into third at Forbes three weeks ago. Only win was at this track and drawn ideally. Go well. 5. Godwits is an interesting runner now with Clint Lundholm. A month since his last run at Bairnsdale and any support would be telling.

How to play it: See You Then WIN.

See You Then wins at Tamworth on August 7

2. Lockdown Gamble is always competitive at this level and drops 5.5kg on his handy third at Dubbo two weeks ago. The mile is no issue for him, drawn to get a soft run and if the pace is on he’ll be strong at the finish. Each-way.

Dangers: 1. Indifference gave a huge sight when out to 2000m at Coffs Harbour as he was run down in the final couple of bounds. Form is a bit hit and miss but a performance like last time would see him hard to catch. 5. Deion was able to lead and fought off the challenge of a subsequent Highway winner when scoring at Dubbo. First time at the mile which is the query but couldn’t leave him out. 3. Rajnish won twice at Tamworth over the mile then close up at Canterbury on heavy ground. Wide barrier is a negative but would be suited if it’s down the outside.

How to play it: Lockdown Gamble EACH-WAY ($8.50 TAB Fixed Odds).

Lockdown Gamble runs third at Dubbo on August 10

1. Plenitude is coming right back in class after tackling an open sprint at Dubbo and only four starts ago was placed in a Highway at Randwick. Far from disgraced there last time and the step up in trip is a plus. Claim helps, hard to beat.

Dangers: 3. Haze led them up second-up at Dubbo over 1400m and battled on okay into fourth there. Likely has to roll forward again and is one of the chances. 10. Fantasy Crowned comes through the same race where he sat second and was able to finish in that position. Drawn nicely and can only hold form. 4. Mrs Bull scored an upset win first-up two weeks ago and it’ll be interesting to see if she backs it up. Generally pretty honest as her 25 placings illustrate so she’s an each-way chance.

How to play it: Plenitude WIN.

Plenitude runs fifth at Dubbo on August 10

All the fields, form and replays for Sunday’s Narromine meeting