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By Ray Hickson

Tips and race by race preview by Ray Hickson for Thursday’s meeting at Wagga Wagga. With some rain expected, selections based on a soft track.

3. Velvet Aeroplane went with Noble Boy in a trial before her debut at Sapphire Coast where she was slowly out and worked the entire race, so to run second it was a decent effort. Given some time and while drawn wide she’s the horse to beat if she gets the breaks.

Dangers: 6. Kinong trialled on a soft track in January then had a break and showed decent improvement as she stormed home late to win a trial a couple of weeks ago. One to keep very safe. 14. Pressed For Thyme looked to be doing it easily running second in a small field in her only public trial at Wagga. Not sure about how she’d handle the wet but drawn well and has had early support. Respect. 4. Starskin was tried up to a mile last preparation and he's been beaten no more than about two lengths in all four starts. Might be a touch sharp at the 1000m but worth keeping in mind.

How to play it: Velvet Aeroplane WIN ($2.90 TAB Fixed Odds).

Velvet Aeroplane runs second on debut at Sapphire Coast in November

5. Primitivo is the best placed horse all month in this Class 1 and maiden coming off an eye-catching sixth at Warwick Farm when resuming. He was the only horse to break 36 seconds in that race (35.37 Punter's Intelligence). Mile suits, he’s fine with a wet track and all things being equal he should clean this field up.

Dangers: 8. Zarvalante has one win from 18 starts but he’s racing well at present, and hit the line nicely over this course a few weeks back. He’d be okay on a soft track and is an each-way chance. 4. Parliament was well supported in winning at Gundagai and tried hard up to a mile on a soft track here last time. Ex-Kiwi who could still be on the up so keep in mind. 16. Timandjack will be up on the pace and he's fought on well into placings at his last couple at Canberra and Albury. Could fill a placing again.

How to play it: Primitivo WIN ($1.50 TAB Fixed Odds).

Primitivo’s first-up run at Warwick Farm on April 17

8. Provocative Man loomed to win when resuming at Wyong almost a month ago and just levelled out late. Form through the race has been good so far, though, and the bigger track will suit given his run prior to a spell. Scratchings have helped his cause. Go well.

Dangers: 2. Cloud Nine could surprise at odds, his debut at Wangaratta wasn’t bad. He missed the start and was always at the rear but he did pick off a few late. Fitter, gets up in trip here and if he handles the wet he’s a knockout chance. 9. Let’s Get Animal is around the mark with four placings from his last five starts and he’ll be up on the speed somewhere here again. That gives him an each-way chance. 3. Prestissimo looked to have his chance at Wagga last time but was only his second start so could be an improver here.

How to play it: Provocative Man WIN ($1.65 TAB Fixed Odds).

Provocative Man runs third at Wyong on April 11

6. Noble Belle won nicely on debut on a heavy track then thrown in the deep end in Sydney and raced outside Erno before boxing away into fifth at Warwick Farm. That was a good effort and her ability to handle the wet if it arrives is a plus. Good chance.

Dangers: 2. Espinola scored on a soft track at his second start then not disgraced in Sydney behind Time To Reign. Hit the lead in his trial since being gelded and was held together as the winner got to him near the line. Must be kept in mind. 15. Weja was huge odds at his third start but really attacked the line into second here a few weeks back and this is only a bit stronger. Not sure about a wet track but one to throw into the chances. 1. Estrado overcame trouble to score at Bathurst last week and this grade is no tougher than she's met in her last couple of wins so must be included.

How to play it: Noble Belle E/W ($4.80 TAB Fixed Odds).

Noble Belle runs fifth at Warwick Farm on April 17

5. Dashley Dubh hasn’t been far away in a couple of stronger races this time in and her last run at Randwick was better than it looks on paper after copping a check in the straight. This is her right grade, she’s okay on a soft track and up to her preferred trip should be ready to fire.

Dangers: 7. Battle Fury improved quickly second-up with a closing third at Albury and looks ready to try the mile again. Ran fourth on a soft 6 track last time in over 1600m and he’s one of the main chances here. 1. Cha Cha King is right down in class on his last few in open company and if he can repeat his effort from Albury three starts back, where he sat on the speed and finished a close second, he’d be right in the mix. 4. Squidensquizz contested the same race as Cha Cha King last start and he battled on pretty well for an improved third. Tends to handle the wet and is one of the each-way chances.

How to play it: Dashley Dubh E/W ($5.00 TAB Fixed Odds).

Dashley Dubh’s last start effort at Randwick on April 3

2. Dream Builder has some good form around him from third-up at Canberra and he converted that to a win over this course a month ago. Scratched from Warwick Farm on Wednesday to run here and he has run well on a heavy track in Sydney. Should take beating.

Dangers: 11. Zatsaone is eligible for easier but there was plenty to like about the way she attacked the line at Albury over this trip last time. An each-way chance at least here. 5. Gentleman Max ran last in open company at Albury last time but he’s had 46 tries on a good track and is yet to win. All 10 wins have come on wet ground so if there’s decent rain he could come right into the picture at odds. 6. Kipe backed up a narrow Queanbeyan win with a handy effort to run third at big odds in the Gundagai Cup. Back in class here and gets the favours from the inside so has a show.

How to play it: Dream Builder WIN ($2.40 TAB Fixed Odds).

Dream Builder wins at Wagga on April 1

5. Stephan is honest and won on a heavy track at Warwick Farm before getting well back with 62kg in the prelude and running home late beaten two lengths. Gives away a start again but may be negated by a wet track if the rain has arrived so has to be respected.

Dangers: 3. Noble Joey is fitter for two runs back and he went down in a close finish at Randwick on a good track, but is much better on softer ground. He’ll be in this for a long way. 12. Ghostly finished midfield behind Stephan at Warwick Farm and has been kept fresh for this. Doesn’t mind a wet track and while drawn wide he’ll get back and be running on. 4. Mercurial Lad is a very good wet tracker drawn to probably lead and he could easily steal it if left alone.

How to play it: Stephan E/W ($5.50 TAB Fixed Odds).

Stephan's sixth in the prelude at Wagga on April 14

2. Brix hasn’t been tested on a wet track (if it eventuates) outside of trials but he found the line well first-up at Newcastle into a close third. Drawn well, fitter and if he does enjoy some give in the track he’ll go close.

Dangers: 8. Nicconi Poni didn’t fire at Sandown last time but all her form prior was consistent so she’s entitled to another chance. Bolted in here two starts back, not exposed enough in the wet to be confident but she can never be left out. 4. Miralie has been around the mark in similar sorts of races either side of the border and ran on well as favourite at Albury last time. Down in weight here and drawn well so has a good chance. 9. Gold Touch won either side of a spell then not disgraced in a Highway at Randwick a couple of weeks ago. Distance suits now and she's capable of winning.

How to play it: Brix WIN ($3.60 TAB Fixed Odds).

Brix's first-up run at Newcastle on April 13

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