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By Ray Hickson

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

5. Infusion is an interesting first starter from the Snowden yard who trialled nicely alongside open company in her latest trial at this track. Draws to get a great run just off what could be a handy speed and no surprise to see her show up.

Dangers: 4. From The Peak was a beaten favourite at her debut at Newcastle back in March, she led and was reeled in as a $1.55 shot. Trialled with purpose to win her latest hitout and she’s well worth watching. 6. Miss Jones was a late scratching last week so she arrives here with three weeks between runs since leading and battling on for second over 1250m at this track. Not far off a win and has to be included. 8. Writego did just about everything wrong on debut as a $1.85 favourite back in December and has been given some time. Strode out to win latest trial and can be a factor.

How to play it: Infusion EACH-WAY ($7.50 TAB Fixed Odds).

Infusion runs second in a Canterbury trial on June 23

16. Beside The Ocean has been scratched a bit recently but finally lines up here. She’s done nothing wrong in her trial appearances in June, draws okay and can run well with the race falling over a bit.

Dangers: 4. Sapphire Rose impressed winning on debut at Wyong then backed it up with a handy second at Kensington two weeks ago, running on well from the second half. Well worth including. 9. Sigma has trialled a number of times dating back to December and won the latest of them. Drawn out but should go forward and have his chance. 10. Issy's Star bumped into Raging Force on debut at Muswellbrook then too good up at Coffs Harbour. Has to bring that to down but the Raging Force form is encouraging.

How to play it: Beside The Ocean EACH-WAY ($5.00 TAB Fixed Odds).

3. Signor Tortoni is coming off a maiden win but he thumped his rivals there as a $1.14 chance at Gosford. Runner-up twice at this track last time in and has the tactical speed to offset a slightly tricky gate. Does look promising and can go on with it.

Dangers: 5. Kilonova was scratched last week and turns up here having not raced since a solid debut win as favourite at Rosehill in February. Two trials have been sound and she’ll be competitive with a bit of luck early. 4. Superhero has been around the mark and ran on well into second at Kensington a month ago when specked in the betting. Blinkers go on and has the claim, stays under notice. 7. Moonlight Dream tried hard behind Zouripper at Kembla and in a four horse field has to be some chance.

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

Signor Tortoni wins at Gosford on June 12

10. Celtic Sin has hit his straps this time in with a couple of impressive wins either side of a failure with excuses. Up marginally in class, drawn ideally to get a comfortable run and only has to hold form from last start to take some beating.

Dangers: 1. Elle Hudson looks in for a good preparation after resuming with a nice third behind Getafix at Kensington over a trip short of his best. Fitter for that and expect him to be hitting the line well again. 4. Narbold switches states having been safely held at Flemington a month ago when supported at odds. Had been honest enough prior to that and if there’s support for him he’d be worth a look. 3. Delrico didn’t have the best of runs when failing first-up at Kensington and has had a tickover trial since. Draw favours him better and with the claim if he can return to the form that saw him win here before a spell he’s in the mix.

How to play it: Celtic Sin WIN ($4.20 TAB Fixed Odds).

Celtic Sin wins at Hawkesbury on June 17

1. Mafia has changed stables since winning at this track back in February and gets in 1kg lighter with the claim. Both trials have been sound, the latest in a small field, and he has the racing pattern that’ll see him use an inside gate to be handy and have his chance fresh.

Dangers: 8. Desi Emperor broke a run of seconds with a strong on pace win at Hawkesbury a couple of weeks ago at each-way odds. Can use the draw to be competitive up in grade. 5. Vegas Raider won here back in January and fitter for two runs back. Has the platform to be an improver. 2. One Destiny is usually an on pacer but found himself back near last when up in class and back in trip at Randwick. Expect better.

How to play it: Mafia WIN ($3.90 TAB Fixed Odds).

Mafia wins a Nowra trial on June 17

7. Braveheart made a promising return at Kensington two weeks ago running on from near last into a close third in a similar grade. Can only be better for that run and if he can take the next step he should be right in the finish.

Dangers: 3. Hanau had a bit of traffic to negotiate when runner-up here three weeks ago at his first run since September. Fitter for it, drawn a lot kinder and wouldn’t need to improve much to go one better. 6. Sovereign Hill hadn’t raced for a year when he resumed at Rosehill where he attracted a bit of support but just battled behind King’s Secret. He’ll be better for that, imagine he rolls forward and could be a big improver. 5. Bartolf has shown promise and resumes as a gelding after tackling a Group 3 race in the late summer. Barrier a bit of an issue for him but won both trials and worth keeping safe.

How to play it: Braveheart WIN ($3.80 TAB Fixed Odds).

Braveheart runs second at Kensington on June 25

12. Hovland is the one with all the upside with only five starts to his name and he couldn’t have won easier when scoring over 1800m at Hawkesbury third-up. Obviously this is harder but lands in a good spot from the draw and no surprise if he handles the step in his stride.

Dangers: 6. Kazalark isn’t far off a win and he did loom as a chance when fifth at Rosehill fourth-up. Should be nice and fit now, distance suits and he’s entitled to be competitive. 9. Lenape Vibe didn’t have the best of luck second-up at Rosehill in a stronger race at big odds. Softer track is in his favour and he’s an each-way chance at least. 15. Dr Evil is always a chance on a rain affected track and he just missed at Newcastle when back on his favoured surface last time out. Each-way.

How to play it: Hovland WIN ($3.10 TAB Fixed Odds).

Hovland wins at Hawkesbury on June 17

All the fields, form and replays for Wednesday’s Canterbury meeting