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By Ray Hickson

Tips and race by race preview by Ray Hickson for Sunday’s Wagga meeting. Selections based on a soft track.

2. Whisker To Whisker has shown signs in her past couple of fourths at provincial level that she could be close to a win and in the small field she will get her chance. Has worked home okay in those two runs, the latest over 2400m, so the trip is no issue and there should be no excuses.

Dangers: 5. Justifiably comes through the same race where he started $17 and boxed on fairly to run fifth after settling handy. Honest and has to be respected. 1. Due Calzini was unsuited when coming back to the mile in the Forbes Cup. Didn’t run a bad race but it was too short and he’s better placed up in distance given he was a winner 1900m and 2100m prior to that. Definite chance. 3. Final Comment is another who was back in trip last time and he has placed at this track and distance previously so we know he can handle it. Has a case.

How to play it: Whisker To Whisker WIN.

Whisker To Whisker runs fourth at Kembla on July 26

6. Dantains Prize has struck form in the past couple of months and isn’t far off a win with three seconds from the last five starts. Perhaps a bit too far back at Forbes when favourite last week but ran on strongly into second there over a mile. She’ll be around the mark.

Dangers: 2. Reckless Behaviour is a big watch having been beaten as favourite on debut at Albury almost a month ago. Drawn out again but up in distance and entitled to another chance. 3. Vinari has raced twice at around the 1100m trip and was a big drifter when fourth on the Riverside track on Monday. May be looking for the extra trip and she’s worth including in the hopes. 9. Super Jules ran the best race of her career when runner-up over 1200m here on Monday. She’s drawn nicely and if she can back up the effort she’s an each-way chance again.

How to play it: Dantains Prize WIN.

Dantains Prize runs second at Forbes on August 3

2. Jappalouis is one of the more interesting runners on the day as he’s not raced for three and a half years. Showed promise back in 2022 and there was a bit to like about his latest jump out at Wangaratta where he settled back and rounded them up. Drawn out so likely goes back and can be hard to hold out.

Dangers: 11. Bottas is on debut and has trialled a few times in the past month the latest a jump out at Wodonga on Wednesday. Nicely drawn and any support would be significant. 9. The Third Wish is a 19 start maiden and is suited coming back to this trip after leading off a wide gate and boxing on to run fifth. Inside draw this time and she is worth throwing into the mix. 6. Extra Hands was formerly in the Ryan/Alexiou stable and trialled a number of time in Sydney. Now trained here and not exposed locally so well worth keeping an eye on.

How to play it: Jappalouis WIN.

3. Goofinator is on the back up from racing on Monday where he settled well back and warmed up late to snatch fourth. Onto the bigger track suits despite coming back in trip and he has the blinkers on. Looks a good chance.

Dangers: 5. Mishima is also returning from having raced here earlier in the week and he worked home okay to run fourth in his event. Has been racing well for new stable and sure to be around the mark. 6. Mockridge has had a jump out since finishing midfield at Bendigo a month ago. Winner at Cranbourne prior to that and should appreciate coming back slightly in class on latest. Must be respected. 10. Gioia River broke through at her ninth start with a fighting win over 1400m at Corowa. Has to stretch to the mile but has the inside alley so she’s a chance of running it out.

How to play it: Goofinator WIN.

Goofinator runs fourth at Wagga Riverside on August 4

4. Take The Rap is a promising type with a handy record in his nine starts so far. Trial winner since a close third at Canberra back in March. Three of his four wins have come at his home track and from that inside barrier he should be hard to beat.

Dangers: 9. Just Google Me disappointed last time out at Corowa when right in the market. Ignore failure two runs back on his effort when third at this track in June he’d be one of the major chances. 5. Solvere was expected to perform better first-up at Corowa than he ultimately did but fitter for that, down significantly in weight and drawn well. Worth another chance. 3. Blitzar came off a break of nine months to win at Parkes in mid-May at 1200m at good odds. Resuming again with no official trial but worth keeping safe.

How to play it: Take The Rap WIN.

Take The Rap wins a Canberra trial on July 25

2. Al Flores is well placed here back in grade after being safely held in a Highway at Rosehill a few weeks ago. Drew wide there and went back and couldn’t get into the race. Form prior was excellent including a runaway maiden win and has the chance to bounce back.

Dangers: 12. Trouve beat Al Flores three starts back and two runs since have been handy with a close up fourth at Gundagai as favourite just over a month ago. Must include while in career best form. 11. Rosie’s Prophecy has been thereabouts in four runs this time in and tried hard when runner-up at Corowa a couple of weeks back. Each-way claims again up in distance. 9. Dita Von broke through for a narrow maiden win at Corowa over the 900m. Specked in betting there and likely better suited up to this sort of distance. Keep in mind.

How to play it: Al Flores WIN.

Al Flores wins at Goulburn on July 8

4. Under The Hood had excuses when well beaten at Canberra first-up on the synthetic. Form last preparation was sound and did win a maiden at this track and trip in January. Expect an improved showing.

Dangers: 3. Bessie La Belle won at Albury and Gundagai before running on behind the placings at Narrandera a month ago. Nicely drawn and racing well so has to be respected. 1. Ace Of Lace has the wide gate to contend with but couldn’t be going any better with successive wins leading into this race. Has won here too and can’t be left out of the chances. 6. Sundrop was well supported and got the job done at 1400m at Narrandera from about midfield in the run. Racing consistently so stays under notice.

How to play it: Under The Hood WIN.

All the fields, form and replays for Sunday’s Wagga meeting