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By Ray Hickson

Tips and race by race preview by Ray Hickson for Friday’s Orange meeting. Selections based on a good track.

5. Donna Emilia has had a few chances overall but her last couple have suggested a win isn’t too far away. Just failed at Parkes two back then just cut down late at Dubbo after hitting the lead early in the straight. Won’t be far away from a perfect draw and is a good chance.

Dangers: 2. Deepfield King is on debut for the Bjorn Baker stable, he trialled quite sharply last spring then put away and boxed on in his only subsequent trial over 1207m at Warwick Farm almost a month ago. Have to respect the stable. 3. Knights Reign debuted on this track back in October and seemed to have his chance. Two trials this time in have been fairly similar and he hasn’t been far away. One of the winning hopes. 6. Kuroshinzo had his first run for the new stable and was a month between runs when safely held at Dubbo two weeks ago. Is a 22 start maiden but form prior to last time was honest so if he recaptures it he could be placed.

How to play it: Donna Emilia WIN ($7.50 TAB Fixed Odds).

Donna Emilia runs second at Dubbo on February 3

9. Amaretto Bo will be the shortest priced favourite of the day and this is her big chance to post a win. She’s been narrowly beaten in her past two starts at Newcastle, where to be fair she’s had her chance, but will be better for the latest which was her first over the mile. Less depth and entitled to win.

Dangers: 10. Casino Diva is the likely threat if there is one. She’s been improving with each start and shaped as though a mile will suit her looking at how she finished off the 1400m at Dubbo two weeks ago. 3. Nightwalker was a beaten favourite at this track last time where she had her chance but stuck on pretty well. Prior to that was a solid second at Parkes and should be around the mark. 6. Brandywine is a 34 start maiden so it’s hard to push her cause but she almost got there over this course last time out. Could fill another placing.

How to play it: Amaretto Bo WIN ($1.35 TAB Fixed Odds).

Amaretto Bo runs second at Newcastle on February 15

8. Missy Moss has trialled up well since switching stables with two promising efforts where she’s hit the line nicely. Won the latest in a small field at Dubbo. Started favourite at only race appearance back in June when unplaced on a wet track. Market will likely be significant.

Dangers: 5. Northern Exposure made a promising debut when running up to solid support and finishing a close second then had a tough run and dropped off 13 days later. Entitled to another chance from a kinder draw. 12. Bolo Miss settled near last and worked through the field nicely to run second dover 900m at Queanbeyan a couple of weeks ago. Has a wide gate so probably gets back and look for her to be running on. 13. Christmas Star has often started right in the market but so far placed in four of seven starts. If she’s strengthened up with the break then she’s a chance to be in the finish.

How to play it: Missy Moss WIN ($3.70 TAB Fixed Odds).

Missy Moss wins a Dubbo trial on February 16

1. Wilbury is a little more established than his stablemate with five wins from 18 starts and was narrowly denied a hat-trick when run down at 1100m at Quirindi. Will be on the pace and it would surprise nobody if he leads all the way.

Dangers: 4. Brief Statement is a local who is racing well and notched an overdue win when scoring over this trip at Dubbo two weeks ago. Only gets 0.5kg of the claim but the rider is her regular rider so that’s no disadvantage. 3. Shipshape has his first run for the new stable and he did run a couple of handy races at Highway level last time in. Fitter for a couple of trials and will improve on whatever he does here. 5. Brogans Creek stayed on well for a close third to Brief Statement last time and is in the mix.

How to play it: Wilbury WIN ($1.80 TAB Fixed Odds).

2. Shadow Shot has been consistent in three runs since winning over this track and distance in late December and isn’t badly placed with the claim. Expect he’ll hold his form and that’s good enough to see him somewhere in the finish of an open race.

Dangers: 4. Devil Rider scored a maiden win at Muswellbrook over 1500m before stepping up slightly in trip and just battling at Newcastle two weeks ago. Perhaps he’s looking for the extra distance now and if that’s the case then he’s worth another chance. 1. D’Oro Choice is now getting out to his preferred sort of trip after a couple of runs at a mile. Trained here and tends to race well on the home track, with the claim he gets an opportunity to improve. 7. Hurricane Ablowing ran an improved race at Goulburn over a mile and might be ready for the extra trip.

How to play it: Shadow Shot EACH-WAY ($4.50 TAB Fixed Odds).

Shadow Shot runs fourth at Scone on February 6

6. Feimazuo is coming off a maiden win but it was a strong one as an odds-on favourite at Dubbo, backing up a close call at Bathurst prior to that. Coming back 100m looks a plus and he’s drawn well. It’s not easy to back up a maiden win with another but she could do that here.

Dangers: 1. Santorini Sun had no luck at all at Sapphire Coast and did an excellent job to get within a length of the winner on the line. Racing consistently and from a kinder draw she’s a decent challenger. 9. Dundas got an inside run to hit the lead at Orange last time only to be run down near the line. Consistent without winning regularly and is an each-way chance. 7. Geostorm has been mixing his form and disappointed at Queanbeyan last time out. Gave a big sight at Bathurst prior to that and last win was at third trip four runs ago. Not without claims.

How to play it: Feimazuo WIN ($2.80 TAB Fixed Odds).

Feimazuo wins at Dubbo on February 16

3. Nomorenightshift is a promising type who won well at this track two starts ago from on the speed then was hitting the line late when beaten under half a length at Hawkesbury at his first try at 1400m and off a five week break. Better for that and looks drawn to advantage so should take beating.

Dangers: 4. Zarizatycoon was the winner of that race at Hawkesbury and made it two from two at the distance. There’s not been too much between the pair and it’s probably the barrier draw that separates them. Logical threat. 13. Scopics is also a big danger if he can find his best form. Ran third in this race last year and fourth in 2023 so he’s around the mark at this level. Strong effort in a deep Highway two starts back then on a soft track and drew the inside when sixth at Rosehill. Definite chance back on top of the ground. 9. Light Infantry is lightly raced and strung together a run of seconds by narrow margins before scoring nicely at Wagga over 1300m. The inside gate is a plus for him as there’s more depth to this but he shouldn’t be too far away. 1. Smart And Dapper is probably the best at odds, though he hasn’t been tried at 1400m. Surged late to just fail behind Wilbury at Dubbo last time and has won a trial since.

How to play it: Nomorenightshift WIN ($3.50 TAB Fixed Odds).

Nomorenightshift runs second at Hawkesbury on February 12

5. Poisen Point has continued to improve this preparation and put two wins together at Dubbo in pretty good style. They’ve both suggested that a mile won’t be an issue for her as they’ve looked comfortable on the line. May have to back from the draw but that’s the only query. Go well.

Dangers: 4. Magnace looks a threat after a handy effort in a Highway at Randwick two weeks ago. Worked to the line to be just behind the placings in that race over 1800m won by Tapa Kick and from gate one he mightn’t give away as much start. 2. Another Fortune won impressively first-up at Kembla then disappointed behind Zarizatycoon at Hawkesbury. Find this a bit easier and no surprise if he regains some form. 3. Gallic Fox failed when resuming at Newcastle but has raced well here in the past and could be an improver.

How to play it: Poisen Point WIN ($1.90 TAB Fixed Odds).

Poisen Point wins at Dubbo on February 16

All the fields, form and replays for Friday’s Country Championships meeting at Orange