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By Neil Evans

Track Good 4 and rail True:

1. Expido is a provincial-based three-year-old by Supido who resumes for just his second start since debuting late last year. Has been working well and trialled okay in heavy ground. 5. Trumper is a two-year-old provincial colt jumping from a sound draw, and a clear threat behind two trials. Doubt anything else wins, but 7. Hard Rattle is a provincial mare who was solid through the line when resuming, and can run into the money.

How to play it: Expido to win

7. Birdy Girl is a lightly raced and improving filly who is set to peak fourth-up over further. Has run home strong from well back into the placings in her last two, and this looks an ideal journey for a galloper capable of going on to win much better races. 6. Airwalker is a big betting watch resuming with a gear change off two progressive trials. 2. Montgolfier has been in and around the money all prep, and capable again of running into the money over a bit further.

How to play it: Birdy Girl to win

1. Navy Pier is an emerging provincial-based three-year-old who can pounce first-up here in only his second start. Was only plain on debut back in March on the Beaumont track, but didn’t appreciate heavy going, and gets much firmer ground this time. 2. Zainstar is a big market watch resuming off a quiet trial and 11-month break for the new Muswellbrook stable. 6. Epic Statement is also in the mix second-up after hitting the line late fresh at Tamworth. 3. It’s Not Over is a Northern Hemisphere-bred filly on debut for the Kris Lees stable behind two quiet trials; while 10. Shackamaxon deep into her first full prep with blinkers back on, heads the rest.

How to play it: Navy Pier to win

4. Charleroi is a tough and progressive provincial three-year-old who looks to have a mortgage on this down in class from a handy trailing draw. Tracked the speed and went home best to win a Super Maiden at Kembla in heavy ground before ridden quieter and running home late as a heavily backed favourite at Hawkesbury. Finds a weaker race here back out to his preferred mile trip. Gap to the rest headed by 1. Annoint who is very fit and will relish the drop back from deeper BM 64 provincial level. 9. Bellini Spritz has to overcome a wide draw, but has found the line well in two deeper races so far this prep. 5. Cats Quarters third-up can add value into wider exotic plays.

How to play it: Charleroi to win

10. Charmed Destiny is an underrated and improving six-year-old who can step up for back-to-back wins well into the current campaign. Had struggled ridden closer to the speed on rain-affected ground before being taken back off the pace last start in better going and charging over the top late. More depth here, but he’s well over the odds after the jockey’s claim. 12. Fejer Dawn was impressive sweeping home to claim her maiden second-up, but still shapes under the odds here from a trickier draw in a bigger field. 3. Jonny Be Swift is a threat deep into his prep and getting back out to a more suitable distance, despite drawing off the track. 11. Merapi is an each way chance back on firmer ground fifth-up; while 4. Justifiably well into the prep and 5. Archers Reign fourth-up can both run into the minor money.

How to play it: Charmed Destiny to win

5. Punch One Out is an improving and locally-trained three-year-old well placed to grab a second win fifth-up. Wasn’t far away in two runs since a dominant maiden win in heavy ground, then ridden quieter and attacked the line late in a handy CL1 a fortnight ago. At peak fitness, and the extra furlong now is a huge plus. 2. Cluedo faces a tricky draw, but she’s nice and fresh off a lengthy break behind two progressive trials. 3. Spirits Burn Deep is a tough mare who has placed in two from three this prep against better opposition, but is drawn right off the track. 7. King Soleil is over the odds fifth-up from a soft draw; while 10. Full Commitment is a sparingly raced mare, and the best of the rest drawn wide third-up.

How to play it: Punch One Out to win

10. Smart Jazz is an understated six-year-old who only has to overcome an awkward wide gate and find cover to be the one to beat. Has a poor winning strike rate, but long tackled better races than this, and after being placed in a better BM 58, did his best work late in a much tougher Saturday Highway nine days ago. 9. All Too Rosey has been mixing her form all prep, but she is hard fit and gets a timely little drop in class and depth. 5. Savoca is a market watch resuming with no public trials, and did win fresh earlier in his career. 11. Geewiz Johnny heads the rest.

How to play it: Smart Jazz to win

14. Singing Star is well placed to strike second-up from a low draw where she can position up right behind the speed. Took on better opposition last prep, and then held her ground okay when resuming in a stronger class at Muswellbrook 17 days ago. 8. Octavian Treasure gets a timely drop in grade fourth-up from a handy draw. 3. Dusan has a 25 percent winning strike-rate from 12 starts, and can run a big race first-up off a solid trial. 12. Willingale is a sparingly raced mare, and well over the mark second-up. 4. Helluva Teen can run into the money third-up; so too 7. Hidden Hail backing up from an overdue BM 58 win just eight days ago.

How to play it: Singing Star to win

BEST BETS:
R3 1. NAVY PIER
R4 4. CHARLEROI

BEST VALUE:
R6 5. PUNCH ONE OUT

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