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By Neil Evans

Track Soft 5 and rail true

2. Buckeye, a Randwick-based colt by Zousain, can claim a very competitive battle for the two-year-olds third-up in his first full prep. Hit the line to miss narrowly when fresh at Scone in heavy ground before failing to run home in a deeper provincial race. Much better suited here, drawn to get to the outside of runners, and any rain is a bonus. 5. Wonderful Mistake has to get across from a wide barrier, but is primed after twice finishing a half length from the winner at Canberra, the latest 13 days ago as a well backed favourite. 1. Deekaygeebee is a lightly raced Victorian and over the odds after scoring a smart win here 18 days ago. 8. Stardom, a metro-based Zoustar filly, is also drawn wide but can benefit off a steady debut run at Kembla. At much bigger odds, 10. Aisle Two is a big improver also coming through that same provincial race as the former; while 14. Stormy Reign third-up with gear changes heads the rest.

How to play it: Buckeye to win

3. Riverbend Unicorn is an honest and improving local four-year-old who represents outstanding value, resuming off a four month spell in a tricky race. Has placed five times from seven starts, draws to get a soft run inside, and fitted to run this trip out off a solid 1000m trial on the Riverside track. 5. Doc March is also trained here and a natural improver after rushing home late to beat all bar the winner second-up, but still shapes under the odds jumping from a very wide gate. 1. Dita Von is also trained on the track and hasn't missed a place in four consecutive runs, chasing home a smart one at Albury a week ago, but is also drawn wide. 9. Hot Toddy is desperate for this longer trip third-up. 11. Deebaa at her third start, and 16. Cinephile deep into the prep; can both add plenty of value into wider exotics.

How to play it: Riverbend Unicorn to win

It doesn't get any easier here in a wide maiden sprint, with a few key first starters on show. One of them 4. Explosive Style, a five-year-old mare by Carravaggio, makes the trip over the border and is ready to strike on debut. Careered away to win a trial on the Riverside track here a fortnight ago, and is bred for speed on both sides. 1. Brucedale is a local three-year-old by Shaft on debut in winkers off a handy trial, but draws wide. 3. Der Blaue Reiter is a lightly raced improver, and over the odds second-up coming through that same Federal Maiden in Canberra as one of the better chances in the opening race. 9. Noble Ruby is another genuine each way chance dropping back from deeper provincial races fourth-up. 10. Momentice down in weight second-up and 12. Lookacrossthewater with blinkers going on at her fourth start; are both capable of running into the minor money.

How to play it: Explosive Style to win

7. Due Calzini is a progressive three-year-old well placed to claim a second career win coming back in class and depth third-up. Did his best work late from the back when resuming in a BM 58 after being backed from $3.70 into $3.00 before caught the eye again running home late in the deeper Guineas Prelude here run at BM 65 level. Again drawn to drift back, but that run tops him off nicely for the step up to a mile, and will carry 1kg less. 6. Dubai Warrior is a big threat hitting peak fitness fourth-up with gear changes from the inside draw, and dropping significantly in grade from his last two. Keep safe 8. Jamacri, a Warwick Farm-based mare, who also has claims dropping back sharply in distance fourth-up, with blinkers being added; while 15. Qismah a sparingly raced filly who draws low can feature in the minor money.

How to play it: Due Calzini to win

8. Group Chat is a progressive and lightly raced mare shooting for back-to-back wins at only her third start. Failed to hit the line on debut at Albury when soft in betting, but was impressive sweeping home to claim a handy maiden here 18 days ago. Gets a nice 2.5kg weight drop for this rise in class, and a leading country jockey makes the trip south to ride. 6. Wexford Miss is a rival Goulburn mare who finds the right race third-up. Worked home okay from the back when resuming in CL1 company before only fair in deeper company 23 days ago. Less depth here, and the more rain that falls in the lead-up the better placed she is. Progressive 2. Xceptional Fella is in the hunt well into his prep from a middle draw. Disappointing three runs back before finding his best when ridden quieter in a CL2 at Canberra, then running home okay from well back in similar company a fortnight ago. Home tracker 3. Kirk is a big market watch resuming off a quiet trial for the new local stable since transferring up from Victoria. 13. Field Agent is each way value drawn the fence third-up. Watch the betting on 1. Ceremonious resuming for the new Canberra stable after tackling BM 78 company when based in Qld last prep for the Chris Waller yard. 9. Sweet Paree who likes to settle back and hit the line is next best.

How to play it: Group Chat to win

4. Burgundy Girl, a dominant and tough winner here in this grade two starts back, represents the best value in an open race. Did her best work late in the deeper Murrumbidgee Cup last start, and is yearning to get back out to this longer trip. 6. Sacred Mistress is an ultra progressive and rival Canberra mare who has won her last five in a row. That said, she took care of some very ordinary fields before proving too strong in a good quality BM 58 18 days ago. Takes another step up here, but from a tricky draw, must be under the odds. 2. Extravagant Choice continues to build a solid record, winning two of his last three, and while this is tougher he's hard fit and a reliable weight carrier. Watch for provincial mare 12. Devine Outcast running home late fourth-up; while 1. Dynamic One heads the rest trained on the course and dropping down from the much deeper Albury Gold Cup.

How to play it: Burgundy Girl to win

9. Celui is a talented Rosehill-based four-year-old well suited here third-up despite being drawn very wide in a feature race with plenty of chances. Impressive charging home from the back to win a feature BM90 sprint first-up at Muswellbrook before being ridden much closer to the speed and didn't attack the line at Randwick two Saturdays ago. The wide barrier should ensure he goes back and is ridden very quietly, and saved up for one final surge over the final 400m, and that's how he races best. Has a 25 percent winning strike rate from 20 starts. 6. Compelling Truth is an imposing and high class on speed sprinter who won a stack of races in dominant fashion last campaign. Headed north and hasn't been out of the money in three runs at Eagle Farm this prep up to BM 90 level, although hasn't quite reproduced those dominant early and mid race sectionals. Looks well treated at the weights and could well find his best back in NSW. Boasts a near 50 percent winning strike rate from 21 starts. 3. The Instructor made it two straight, digging in hard to claim the Listed Hareeba Stakes at Mornington 12 days ago. Has tactical speed, but a big task to hold this lot off on a track with a much longer run home. 2. Felix Majestic is a talented sprinter who has been freshened up since a gallant closing run in Group 3 company at Rosehill. Normally takes a run to his straps when on the fresher side, but too good to dismiss in this company. 14. Ticklebelly is each-way value well into the prep after boxing on okay in the Country C'ship Final at Randwick. 7. Breeze Easy resuming off a long break via a dominant trial win is a market watch at bigger odds.

How to play it: Celui to win

9. Mega Fight is an underrated provincial-based four-year-old peaking fourth-up in the closer over a furlong furter. Hit the line late in a handy BM66 11 days ago, and reportedly has trained on well since. 7. Dark Vador has been consistently in and around the money this prep across tougher races, and drawn to get a trail and be right in the finish. So too 8. Exceedingly Hot who won a weaker race here three starts back, and has been in the money in two starts since around this level. Drawn to either lead or sit right behind the speed. 3. Persian Dancer is over the odds peaking third-up at the mile. Similar story with home tracker 2. Nats Enough who has run home well in two runs this prep up to BM 82 level. 4. Steve's Way who crosses the border fifth-up with blinkers being added, and 11. Philadelphia's Storm trained on the track and hard fit; can both add value into trifecta and first four plays.

How to play it: Mega Fight to win

BEST BETS:
R3 4. EXPLOSIVE STYLE
R4 7. DUE CALZINI

BEST VALUE:
R2 3. RIVERBEND UNICORN

All the fields, form and replays for Thursday's Wagga meeting