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By Neil Evans

Track improving to around Heavy 8 & rail out 1m from 600m to 400m and True the remainder so on-pace early before likely trend away from the fence

Improving 3YO Scone gelding 3. Plucky Cuvee can break through at third start. Has closed off nicely in first couple of runs at Moree and Orange, and extra ground ideal, with senior rider hopping on.

Dangers: Newcastle 3YO filly 4. Are Zhou Ready was okay on debut at Pt Macquarie, and can improve here from the inside draw with the blinkers going on. Local 4YO mare 1. Amazing Day has been given a lengthy freshen-up and comes back in trip after being outclassed in a much stronger maiden at only third start; while rival local 5YO gelding 2. Ourtheo has been placed four times from seven starts, and fourth-up this prep can go close.

How to play it: Plucky Cuvee to win. Odds and Evens (First 2): Split

Progressive 3YO Newcastle colt 2. Misterzee broke through on this track at only his second start when heavily backed, and with a nice trail from a low barrier, looks to have this at his mercy. Bred to handle the wet.

Dangers: Doubt there are any, but 4YO Muswellbrook mare 6. Imapoet has made steady progression in her first full prep, winning fourth-up at Moree, and drops 2kg; while honest local 10-year-old gelding 5. Apache Lad can give a sight coming back in distance, and draws to find the lead.

How to play it: Misterzee to win and quinella 2 and 6. Odds and Evens: Evens.

Misterzee wins at Tamworth on September 30

Thin race over the mile at set weights augurs well for 4YO Newcastle gelding 2. Mr Piquet who can bounce back after going under as a hot favourite this track third-up. Previous runs were very good for this grade, and extra trip suits.

Dangers: Three runs this prep from 4YO Muswellbrook mare 4. Ellofarock have been encouraging, and should be at her peak now. Newcastle 4YO mare 6. Queens has been competitive enough behind a couple of promising gallopers in her last two; while include 6YO Newcastle gelding 1. Cobb 'N' Co fourth-up at big odds getting out to a more suitable journey. Will find this easier than any of his past three, although was $91.00 in the market when running on behind Mr Piquet last start. Weighted right to his best.

How to play it: Mr Piquet to win and trifecta 2/1,4,6/1,4,6. Odds and Evens: Evens

Mr Piquet runs second at Tamworth on September 30

Tough sprint, with a few first starters on show. Armidale 4YO mare 6. Lonny Lonny hasn't been far away in some handy maidens this prep, and looks well placed after the 3kg claim.

Dangers: Debutant 3YO Scone gelding 8. Maningrida (Albrecht x Majestic Moon by Honour And Glory) stretched out in a competitive trial five weeks back for strong juvenile stable, but has to overcome a wide gate; while watch the market on local three-year-old filly and first starter 9. Outastep (Sidestep x Ferguson by Danasinga) who has trialled well and sire was a beauty in wet ground.

How to play it: Lonny Lonny to win. Odds and Evens: Split

Newcastle 4YO gelding 1. Bandahara hit the line hard behind a good horse at Scone at only his second start when well backed from a double figure price. The blinkers go on, and only needs to handle the conditions to be the one to beat.

Dangers: Improving 4YO Newcastle gelding 5. Greenskeeper likes to settle off the speed and find the line, and has only gone down narrowly in his last two in more than handy company. The lone 3YO filly in the race on 54.5kg, Newcastle-based 11. Divine Dream also comes out of that Misterzee race when beaten under three lengths.

How to play it: Bandahara to win and quinella 1 and 5. Odds and Evens: Odds

Plenty of chances here, and local stables should dominate headed by progressive 4YO gelding 1. General Scarlet who is building a smart record, with three wins and two placings from only six starts. Won consecutive races here from the front, either side of a spell, before tackling tougher Highway grade at Randwick, and was swamped late after leading. Will need to work across from a wider barrier, but gets a crucial 3kg claim.

Dangers: Top local trainer Melanie O'Gorman has never had 5YO gelding 3. Autumn Ridge going better. Scored back-to-back dominant wins in late winter before outclassed in a much stronger Highway field at Rosehill. Has trialled since, and drop back to 1200m is a plus. Another local chance 4YO gelding 5. Congregate has roared into his second prep winning both races under 59kg, but obvious tougher test here. Local 5YO mare 9. Fussdinado, stablemate to General Scarlet, keeps improving. Charged home to win a BM 58 here four runs back, and didn't miss by much last start getting home behind the smart Sausalito.

How to play it: General Scarlet to win and box trifecta 1,3,5,9. Odds and Evens: Odds

Good competitive sprint to finish, and all aboard high class 6YO local gelding 1. Attila second-up in suitable ground for leading trainer/rider combination. Won three straight to finish last prep, and resumed with a fast-finishing effort in a BM 82 this track. Has to carry 61kg, but only concern is the inside late in the day, so may have to chart a path away from the fence before the turn.

Dangers: Consistent local 5YO gelding 4. Inquiry has strong early tactical speed, and scored a dominant win from the front resuming in that same BM 82. Inverell 6YO gelding 2. All Stand is a good wet tracker, and fought hard in an open company behind a smart one at Grafton, and just needs even luck from the wide barrier. Include 5YO Scone gelding 5. Another Sin who won a Class 5 at Toowoomba two runs back before not far away in the Hurricane at Newcastle; while 6YO local gelding 7. The Lion hasn't won for a while, but draws well and normally saves his peak run for second-up.

How to play it: Attila each way and trifecta 1,2,4/1,2,4/1,2,4,5,7. Odds and Evens: Split.

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