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By Neil Evans

Track Soft 6 & rail out 2.5m from 950m to 300m, 1.5m to the winning post & True the remainder:

3. Giddy Gan’s Joy is a Gold Coast mare afforded a timely drop in grade deep into her campaign. Swept home to win a BM 65 at home two starts ago before struggled to run out two miles in an even tougher race nine days ago. Hard fit for this trip, and draws to get a soft run around midfield in much thinner company. 1. Gripping comes out of that same race over the border when failing to run out the 3200m, but also much better suited dropping back to this grade and shorter journey. 6. Sun Topaze is an honest performer, placed in two of his last four at this level, but has a poor strike rate. 5. Flaming Genesis led all the way to land his maiden over 1700m at Grafton, although not treated well carrying only 1kg less. 7. Vladelamore is the best of the rest rising sharply in distance.

How to play it: Giddy Gan’s Joy to win

3. Starward is a sparingly raced four-year-old from the Sunshine Coast who can upset a short-priced favourite fourth-up from a better draw. Chased home a dominant winner at the Gold Coast two starts back before led for a long way in a deeper maiden than this. Right at his peak fitness. 7. On Point Pixie is likely to jump the clear one to beat having been scratched from Sunday’s Sunshine Coast meeting to be saved for this. Had three fair runs back against much tougher metropolitan opposition over the border, but despite the big class drop wouldn’t be diving into any ultra short price coming back in distance on a tricky map. 6. Motion A Nation is a second start improver drawn to get a good trail. 2. Scion is another Qld visitor in and around the money all prep, and over the odds here.

How to play it: Starward to win

8. Copenhagen Cat is a consistent enough North Coast mare banging on the door deep into her campaign. Placed in her last two after leading, and a significant drop in weight over a shorter trip are big pluses, especially if the rain hangs around and the track drops further into soft range. 2. Outoftheoffice has been inconsistent in his first prep, but a jockey change and inside draw bring him right into the race. 7. Valouri is a filly by Heroic Valour, and big market watch on debut for the Matthew Dunn stable behind two soft trials. 3. Rock On Angel and 9. Dandelion Wishes can both add value into trifecta and first fours.

How to play it: Copenhagen Cat to win

1. Monarch Express is a lightly raced improver ideally placed to strike second-up. Tackled much better fields last prep, including the Grafton Guineas where he finished only two lengths back, and signalled his return rushing home to miss narrowly in a CL1 three weeks ago. The one to beat having been scratched early from the last race to run here. 4. Gold Puma is enjoying a solid prep, winning her maiden comfortably here two starts back; while 2. Lady Alabama is shooting for a third straight win, going home best in a fillies and mares BM 58 here last month. Gap to the rest headed by 6. Gaming who draws inside, and comes off a fighting BM 58 win at each-way odds.

How to play it: Monarch Express to win

8. Sinatra is a well named three-year-old by Microphone in the Dunn yard who seemingly has this at his mercy from the inside draw after missing by a length here on debut as a well backed favourite. Had trialled strong in good time prior, and with race experience under his belt and against a very moderate line-up, he can open his account. 10. So Sain is hard fit having placed in his last three and can run the quinella. 6. Taravia returning for a second prep behind two improving trials, and 9. Outdoor Cat second-up fight for the minor money.

How to play it: Sinatra to win

3. Icewater is a progressive home track four-year-old who can continue on his merry way and make it three straight wins. Has shown his versatility by winning from on speed and from further back in those two wins, and has the option again over the same trip. 5. Warrior Bae is the immediate threat coming back to a race with less depth a month between runs. Won his maiden here back on Cup day before hitting the line impressively in a deeper CL2. 2. Vendemmia has lost his way in tougher company after winning two straight at Grafton, but still well up to winning this from the inside draw. 1. Barcelona Express is each way value on soft ground and deep into his campaign. Big gap to the rest.

How to play it: Icewater to win

2. Eagle’s Fire is an underrated and hard fit Gold Coast four-year-old well placed to strike coming back in grade on a nine day turnaround. Missed narrowly in similar company here two starts ago before running home well on the Gold Coast. 6. Leica Glove is a lightly raced Qld mare, and likely to go off a hot favourite resuming off two progressive trials, bolting in the latest on the Gold Coast. Easily won on a Coffs maiden first-up last prep as the hottest of favourites, and she’s on the rise. Be shocked if anything else wins, but keep safe 7. Zimbara who draws the fence fourth-up.

How to play it: Eagle’s Fire to win and quinella 2 & 6

1. Kahlua Girl is an improving Qld filly ready to win again fourth-up. Has run home well to beat all but the winner either side of the border in her last two, and she finds a race with a little less depth. Handles both firm and soft ground. 4. Vorkuta also hops the border with plenty to offer first-up after two rock solid trials. 6. Dazzling Peace is also in the mix from a low draw after a narrow debut win at Grafton, and preferred here to a race earlier on the program. 7. Chilpur fourth-up and at bigger odds 8. Ellro resuming off two trials; can both figure in the minor money.

How to play it: Kahlua Girl to win

BEST BETS:
R4 1. MONARCH EXPRESS
R5 8. SINATRA

BEST VALUE:
R1 3. GIDDY GAN’S JOY

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