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By Neil Evans

Track Soft 5 and rail true

6. Wanavan is an improving three-year-old primed to break through fifth-up in his first full prep. Ran home late in a handy maiden at Dubbo after being supported in the market before being ridden much closer & only beaten a length in a stronger race. The four weeks between runs off-sets the drop in trip; and from a draw where he can settle a few lengths back with a trail; only has to find clear air over the final 350m. 9. Imastatement is a lightly raced filly and the clear threat getting back on firmer ground third-up. 2. Cooma Hut can also challenge coming back in distance third-up; while 4. Solar Arc, a lightly raced improver; and 8. Clan D'oro second-up behind a freshen-up are both capable of running into the minor money.

How to play it: Wanavan to win

13. Oakfield Earth is an emerging provincial filly who ran home okay late in a much deeper race on debut, and the extra ground looks a plus, especially with one of the main market rivals coming out. 6. Skit 'N' Skat held his ground first-up in a decent maiden. 4. Mr Chips finds a thinner race fifth-up in his first full prep and is well over the odds, but still needs to improve. 1. Fantastic Beast is suited under a set weight scale, and can improve sharply second-up at a big price. 14. Pathelia is the best of the rest deep into her prep.

How to play it: Oakfield Earth to win

1. Press Forward is an underrated six-year-old who can make it two wins from his last three on a quick turnaround. Swept home from last when fresh for an impressive win in weaker grade at Dubbo before again charging home into a place eight days ago. Again drawn to find a trail behind a solid speed before being taken to the outside; and he looks fairly treated at the weights only 3.5kg over the limit after the jockey's 3kg claim. Has only three wins from 41 starts, but has been placed a further 16 times often in tougher company. 2. Too Darn Lovely is banging on the door fourth-up. Has shown plenty of speed to lead in her last couple before being collared late by some very handy sprinters, and with her natural pace, getting back on a tighter and smaller track is a big factor. Gap to the rest headed by 4. Devoted Deputy who improves sharply getting back on drier ground. 6. Gypsy Power gets blinkers added third-up. 7. Manage The Cycle is always honest and goes in trifecta and first four plays.

How to play it: Press Forward to win

12. The Piccolino is a consistent three-year-old who is bursting to break through deep into the prep after beating all but the winner in his last three. Led for a long way in heavy ground on the Beaumont track before being ridden back off speed at Scone & running home okay behind a smart winner. Taken well back in the field in a handy maiden a fortnight ago when again hitting the line late after being forced very wide on the turn. Drawn to sit no worse than midfield this time; is naturally fit; and the extra furlong is a big plus. The one to beat. 2. Musumeci disappointed at his second start when hard in the market, but can improve here with blinkers being added. 3. Kemal is a big market watch, resuming off a six month break for the leading provincial yard behind two quiet trials. 8. Saraya, a stablemate of the former, can run a race fourth-up back in distance. 14. Holy Song is the best of the rest second-up since last spring.

How to play it: The Piccolino to win

6. Insightful Award is a talented mare peaking third-up off a six week break. Only held her ground when fresh in a deeper provincial race before should have won here when navigating through traffic & charging late to only miss by a half length. That run tops her off nicely; and she's the best weighted runner dropping 3.5kg to just a half kilo over the limit after the rider's claim. Will likely drift back again from the wide draw, but will relish getting on to firmer footing & only needs a clear crack at them over the final 350m. 7. Cossack Warrior is a big watch resuming off a five week break and nice trial, and handles all ground. So too is 4. Wanda River, resuming behind a quiet trial with the winkers coming off, and normally comes to hand early in the campaign. Gap to the rest headed by 8. Rock 'N' Reign who gets some much needed weight relief; and 5. Lord Protector who resumes, and won his only previous start at this course.

How to play it: Insightful Award to win

11. Girly Pop is a lightly raced & improving filly peaking 2nd-up over a furlong further. Finished hard to win on debut late last year before flopping in a Class 1 & spelled. Hit the line well when resuming in a handy CL1 before again being turned out and given more time via the trials. Ran home okay after a tough run when again fresh in a CL1 27 days ago; and reportedly has trained on well since. Form jockey takes over; and this looks the right closing assignment settling back off the speed. 12. Shutter is a progressive mare and the clear threat getting out to the mile fifth-up after running home hard into a place in her last couple. Keep safe 8. Bill Peyto at bigger odds who doesn't win often, but can find a peak here second-up off a break. 9. Eaglescliffe who capped some solid form to win a weaker race on Anzac Day. 5. Laisvas who is hard fit and drawn inside, and 6. Fox Reign also deep into his prep; all go through trifecta and first four plays.

How to play it: Girly Pop to win

4. Devine Bene is a provincial-based four-year-old well suited third-up off a long break. Tracked the speed before going home best for an impressive first-up maiden win at the provincials, then boxed on okay from the front in a deeper CL1. Likely to settle just off the speed from a middle draw coming back to a thinner country lineup; and the slight drop in trip is a further boost. Naturally some rain would be a bonus; but has enough tactical speed to find a stalking role early in the race. 5. Miss Clamorosa draws the outside barrier, but she's been very consistent over much longer trips, and the five week let-up is an obvious plus coming back from 2200m. 11. Curly Bend has enough ability at huge odds in this class from a softer draw. Impressed with a dominant maiden win second-up before doing it too tough from the draw and failing to run home in a strong BM 58 at Dubbo. Include 3. Rail Trail who beat a handy maiden field at Scone two starts back; while 9. Sirius Flyer will go back from the wide gate, but capable of hitting the line hard late.

How to play it: Devine Bene to win

BEST BETS:
R1 6. WANAVAN
R4 12. THE PICCOLINO

BEST VALUE:
R5 6. INSIGHTFUL AWARD

All the entries, form and replays for Monday's Quirindi Moree meeting