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By Neil Evans

Track Soft 5 and rail True

3. Napoleonic is an exciting metropolitan colt by fashionable sprint sire Wootton Bassett resuming for just his third start. Fitted with two progressive trials, winning the latest in heavy going, and leading jockey booked to ride from a handy draw. 9. Miles Of Glory is a well bred filly returning for a second start behind two improving trials. 2. Andale Andale is a country mare by All Too Hard drawn wide on debut, but remains a big market watch having won both lead-up trials convincingly at Scone, and key gear additions are in play. Watch the market too on 6. Prince Charge, another first starter from the Chris Waller stable of two metro trials. 11. Percolate, a filly by Zoustar on debut for the Ciaron Maher yard, heads the rest.

How to play it: Napoleonic to win

2. The Bentley is a tough and consistent type resuming off a lengthy break and easy trial in what is a moderate race. This trip shapes as a nice starting point and drawn to find the right trail just off the speed. Has placed five times from 10 starts. 1. King Nic is a natural threat after hitting the line fresh in a handy country Super Maiden. 4. Incantress back on firmer footing deep in to the prep, and lightly raced 6. Miss Peony improving in to her third start; can both run into the minor money.

How to play it: The Bentley to win

9. Azarax is an emerging three-year-old returning off a six week break for only his second start, and back to the course where he won on debut over a similar distance. That became a sound form race when the third-placed horse won a provincial Super Maiden last Saturday. Trialled okay over 1100m so will be fitted to run this trip out. 1. Atelier will be hard to hold out second-up back on top of the ground. Was competitive up to Listed level last prep before spelling, then came off two trials with a sound chasing effort at Goulburn on heavy ground. Gets back in at the weights after the jockey’s claim, just needs to navigate over from an awkward draw. 2. Monty Be Quick is over the odds third-up dropping back from a deeper metro race and returning to firmer ground. 3. Like Lukey has ability, and another one well over the mark resuming from a soft draw behind two improving trials. 10. Ready And Lucky comes off a third-up win in weaker company.

How to play it: Azarax to win

3. Zounaka is a talented metro mare primed to strike first-up behind two progressive trials, winning the latest in good company. Was narrowly beaten in three straight CL1 runs at Newcastle last prep before not beaten far in the Listed Canberra Guineas. Draws to find a trail just off the fence, and will be motoring home. 8. Balmain Darling surged home for an impressive debut win at Newcastle on heavy before close-up when stepping up to BM 64 level, and suited by the extra furlong. 1. Believe In Angels is a big watch resuming off a soft trial from a low draw, but asked to carry 61kg after tackling metro BM 72 company last campaign. 6. Leading Impact reloads off a six week turnaround from the inside for only his third start.

How to play it: Zounaka to win

5. Bodhi Boy is progressive country four-year-old hunting a fifth career win at only his eighth start. Bolted in a CL3 as a hot favourite at Taree before freshened to finish just behind the place-getters in a deeper metro race. Again drawn to get a nice run on speed. 3. Shirvington is a progressive city four-year-old who returned for a second full prep with a bang, sweeping home to win a BM 64 here, and this is no harder. Drawn wide and may be more effective on softer ground, but did go right on with the job when second-up in his initial campaign. 4. Two Ya Got is a reliable weight carrier over this distance, and the 3kg claim leaves him over the odds; while 6. Apache Breeze back from deeper city opposition third-up can add value into trifecta and first four plays.

How to play it: Bodhi Boy to win

*BIG DANCE ELIGIBILITY*

4. Saltcoats can pay back punters in the feature Cup after flopping in the Group 3 Premier’s Cup at Randwick 13 days ago. Had bolted in the Preview prior before failing to let down on what was a bottomless heavy surface. Drawn to get the right trail, leading jockey takes over, and a drier surface suits him more than his main rivals. Was scratched from a Listed race at Randwick on Saturday to run here. 8. Travolta (also accepted for Randwick) is on a quick back-up, and the clear best-weighted weighted runner dropping 5.5kg to the minimum off a fast-finishing BM 78 win at Rosehill, although taking on some tougher ones here. 1. Alalcance is a high class stayer from the Waterhouse-Bott stable resuming off two soft trials. A dominant Group 2 and 3 winner at Randwick back in the autumn, she’ll be tuned up to run out this trip fresh, considering three of her five career wins have come first-up. Effective in all going. 3. Nellie Leylax is a tough on-speeder who capped an impressive and improving prep at Randwick, tracking the speed before surging well clear in the Premier’s Cup. Not as effective on drier ground, but if he gets over from a wide barrier, will be ultra competitive. 5. Glory Daze (accepted for Randwick) wasn’t far off the top selection in that race on the Kensington track 23 days ago, draws to get a soft run, and can figure in the minor money.

How to play it: Saltcoats to win

2. Just Feelin’ Lucky is a talented mare who can strike second-up in a very open and wide Group 3, getting back on drier ground. Won three from four in a terrific autumn and early winter campaign, culminating in a dominant Group 3 win at Early Farm over a mile. Dropped out when resuming on a heavy 10, but fitter now and much better placed here settling just off the speed over a bit further. 3. Verona Rose draws wide, but is unbeaten from two starts first-up and looked good winning a recent trial. 7. Snow In May is another big watch watch resuming, also a two-time winner fresh, and fitted with two improving trials. 10. Countyourblessigs, a stablemate of the former, charged home to miss by a whisker in the Mona Lisa Preview, and should get enough speed on to allow her to power late again. 11. Churchill’s Choice is a tough mare who progressed to Group 2 company last prep, and is already a first-up winner. 1. Molly Bloom first-up off two soft trials, and 14. More Territories, the third of the O’Shea-Charlton runners, also resuming off two trials; can add a stack of value into exotic plays.

How to play it: Just Feelin’ Lucky to win

BEST BETS:
R1 3. NAPOLEONIC
R2 2. THE BENTLEY

BEST VALUE:
R4 3. ZOUNAKA

All the fields, form and replays for Friday's Wyong Cup meeting