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By Neil Evans

Track Good 4 and rail True:

2. River Biscotte is an improving four-year-old well placed to break through third-up over a furlong further, and crucially getting back on firm ground. Given five weeks since running home well late on a Heavy 9 at Kempsey after being backed from $4.60 into $4.00. 1. Prince Rupert is trained on the track and hasn’t missed a place in four runs this prep. Gets blinkers back on, although not overly suited on the map at set weights; while home tracker 8. The Simple Life who has beaten all bar the winner in two runs back from a spell is clear best of the rest.

How to play it: River Biscotte to win

5. The Comanche is an honest four-year-old who can turn around his form sharply eight weeks between runs, and coming back from much tougher provincial and city races. Failed to hit the line in heavy ground at Newcastle two runs ago before ridden quieter and made some late ground at Hawkesbury. Less depth here, draws to get cover around midfield, and the drying track is a further plus coming back a furlong in trip. 3. Sass is a metropolitan mare shaping as the immediate threat at her fourth start, significantly with blinkers being added. Dropped out after leading at Kembla, but much better effort when taking a sit and chasing hard on a heavy 10 in the country three weeks ago. Stays at the trip, and should find this easier. 1. Paralia is drawn wide, but can improve back on firmer footing. 2. Devoted To You, a stablemate of the top selection resuming for only her second start, can add value into trifecta and first fours.

How to play it: The Comanche to win

3. Khant Fail is a progressive home track mare rating well on top after a dominant win in heavy going here as a well backed favourite. May not be as quite effective on firmer ground, but hard fit deep into the campaign and gets in very well at the weights. Either leads or sits right behind from this draw, and unlike most of her rivals will go on to win better races. 4. Rock Are Steiner is an honest local over the odds after running home from well back into a place in his last two. 5. Shalamiyna is another fit and consistent improver who finished hard to place at Taree 17 days ago, and drawn to find a trail off the fence. 6. Shezatempest back from tougher provincial company third-up, and 7. Nikody’s Binks who led all the way to win a moderate CL1 two starts ago; are both each-way candidates.

How to play it: Khant Fail to win

5. Canny Prospect finds an ideal race second-up off a very long break. Ran home impressively into a place when fresh under this same weight in a stronger BM 58 at Dubbo, and with more natural race fitness, can score a long overdue third career win. 2. Toomuchinformation comes back to his right grade fourth-up after feeling the pinch late in a stronger BM 66 24 days ago. 12. Typhoon Neta is up in grade, but improves behind a handy run here when coming off a six week break. Watch the betting on 3. Rock The Joint who is an ex-Victorian and lightly raced seven-year-old resuming off a long break for the new Grafton stable. 11. Parmenio improves sharply second-up back on firmer ground.

How to play it: Canny Prospect to win

1. Rebellious Red is is a lightly raced provincial four-year-old who can pounce fresh off a 32-week break. Was only a length away on debut at Coffs before leading all the way as a hot favourite here back in late January. Fitted with two steady trials at home, and has the tactical speed to put away what is a very ordinary lineup. 6. So Be Inspired, a lightly raced mare from the Kris Lees stable, is a big betting watch resuming off two improving trials. 2. Sweet Patriot is some value back on firmer footing third-up with significant gear changes. Gap to the rest headed by 3. Go Isla Go, a stablemate of the top selection also returning off two trials, and 5. Launch Sequence resuming with no public trials, but drawn to get a soft run off the speed.

How to play it: Rebellious Red to win

3. Show ‘Em Howl is a very capable home tracker primed to win again deep into his second prep. Charged late to miss by a half length as a hot favourite at Taree before run off his legs chasing in heavy going here 24 days ago. A little less depth this time, and a return to dryer ground with winkers replacing blinkers, are the keys. 5. Keep At ‘Em is a provincial-based improver who was less than two lengths from the winner in a deeper BM 66 last start, and blinkers go on. 1. Bandasha has to overcome a wide barrier and big weight, but fitted with two trials, and comes to hand sharply, with two of his three career wins from 16 starts coming first-up. 4. Cluedo who was well in the market in that same race here as the top selection, and better suited on dryer ground, is clear best of the rest.

How to play it: Show ‘Em Howl to win

4. Nyali Sands is an underrated and sparingly mare capable of pulling off an upset at big odds. Ran home okay in a more than handy BM 66 at Scone when off a break before again not far from the winner in similar company at Muswellbrook when on the fresher side. All three wins from 14 starts have come on firm ground, and afforded a big drop in weight after the jockey’s claim. 1. Pony Soprano is a talented local who will likely jump a short-priced favourite reloading off an enforced six week break. Scored a second win here back in summer at just his fourth start before only plain in a much stronger Country Championship Qualifier. Then sadly fell when first-up in a Saturday Highway at Rosehill suffering varying injuries. Given time and with a dominant trial win behind him, he looks primed for a big return, although under the odds from a tricky draw. 7. All Too Rosey placed in her last couple, and locally-trained 8. Orsum can both add value into exotic plays.

How to play it: Nyali Sands each way

BEST BETS:
R2 5. THE COMANCHE
R6 3. SHOW ‘EM HOWL

BEST VALUE:
R4 5. CANNY PROSPECT

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