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By Ray Hickson

In a Midway that’s up for grabs, 12. Pretty Tavi represents good each-way value. She threatened to win one of these last time in, running fourth to Shohisha and second to Spicy Hotpot and even her last start fifth had some merit, though she was probably at the end of her prep. Nice quiet trial in behind them at Hawkesbury and she’s the type that can take up a position in what might well be a slowly run race. Gets the chance to feature fresh.

Dangers: 1. Crafty Eagle has the ability to win this comfortably if his mind is on the job. Showed a return to form in stronger grade two weeks ago hitting the line strongly behind King Of Roseau. Draw is a little tricky but back to Midway grade with the claim he’s well placed. 2. Rolling Magic is an interesting runner resuming from a two start prep earlier this year that was cut short. He hit the line from well back in both runs. Two trials have been fair but resumes with blinkers on and if he can hold a spot from the inside then he’s dangerous. 6. Khumbila has the best set up so far this preparation back onto a relatively dry track. Came from last on the turn and wound up strongly beaten a couple of lengths at Canterbury second-up. If he can hold up from an inside gate he has his chance.

How to play it: Pretty Tavi EACH-WAY ($10 TAB Fixed Odds).

1. Think Like Paddy probably holds the key to this race coming back to a Class 3 from a solid enough run in Group 3 company in Brisbane at his third start for Matt Dunn. He was dominant winning his two previous starts in lesser grade and with the 3kg claim it brings him into this race with a luxury weight. The major risk is 1500m being too sharp for him but he has the draw to be handy and if he is above average he’ll have his chance.

Dangers: 5. New Pharoah was far from disgraced having jumped from the outside gate when running on for a close fourth, close to the placegetters anyway, behind a runaway winner a month ago. Very well placed with the claim compared to that race and is a major threat. 3. Warrior For Peace finished just ahead of his stablemate in that race and it’s interesting the stable apprentice has switched seats for this race. He’s an up and coming three-year-old who stays in the mix. 10. Red Rags To Bulls comes through a different Highway two weeks ago and she was closing it off nicely behind Super Norwest at the 1400m. Each-way chance at the least.

How to play it: Think Like Paddy WIN ($5 TAB Fixed Odds).

10. Tasoraay was solidly supported to win a similar race two weeks ago and perhaps just went a bit hard in the middle stages as he was swamped late by one of his key rivals in this race. Gets a 3.5kg swing in his favour and it’s more than likely he won’t have to lead with some good speed drawn outside him. If you were on last time you’re entitled to stick with him.

Dangers: 3. Don’t Forget Jack is still a decent threat to him despite meeting Tasoraay a lot worse at the weights. There’s every chance, if he clears the gates well, that he’ll be stalking again and get the last call. So he commands plenty of respect. 12. Pretty Powerful had a barrier trial when he resumed at Randwick last week, didn’t see a whole lot of daylight from out the back and it’s no surprise to see him entered here given how little he would have exerted first-up. He’ll likely get a truly run race and look for him to be attacking the line. 9. Puntin hasn’t done a whole lot wrong and while beaten favourite first-up at Canterbury it was a run he can build on. Won his first three starts leading all the way and was run down by Point And Shoot after leading at the end of that prep. Couldn’t leave him out. The likes of 5. Hellbent On You and 6. Kadall have each-way chances too.

How to play it: Tasoraay WIN ($3.70 TAB Fixed Odds).

Prepared to stick with 5. Weeping Woman who might have just been run down by a progressive type in Sacred Rocks two weeks ago. Fair to say she had her chance after pouncing on the lead from a wide gate but she’ll have some options this time with the possible leader drawn just to her inside. She doesn’t run bad races and third-up now there should be no excuses.

Dangers: 1. Captain Amelia is on the back up after an even effort last week when supported into favouritism at Randwick but she was no match for the runaway winner It’s A Knockout. Dry track, inside gate, claim, good enough speed engaged. That entitles her to respect. 10. Super Norwest may be drawn a little tricky on paper but she was very well ridden from a wide gate to win a Highway last start there’s every chance a similar situation unfolds for her here and she has 1kg less. 8. Mia Ballerina has been hit and miss this preparation with two easy all the way wins in lesser grade but a battling effort when up in class in between. Down 3.5kg with the claim on her last win and she could give a sight.

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

3. Livin’ Thing looks to have a bit of scope about him to take a few more steps and he was quite dynamic in winning in midweek company a couple of weeks ago. Naturally this is up in class but he drops nicely in the weights and promises to get another good run behind the speed. Gets away from wet tracks now but nothing there to suggest he needs them to fire.

Dangers: 5. King’s Secret looked good winning a month ago then potentially had excuses as he fizzed up behind the gates when a battling fifth two weeks back. If you can forgive that run he has to be a major chance. 1. Spywire is a big query first-up since running a much improved race at the Sunshine Coast in January. He looked very smart as a two-year-old and his trials have been handy. First run as a gelding too. Market a decent pointer but no surprise if he’s right in the finish. 6. Rantan can do a lot better than what she showed when she was in the market first-up behind Lulumon at Gosford about seven weeks ago. Dry track is a big plus for her so if she has any luck she can feature.

How to play it: Livin’ Thing WIN ($4.40 TAB Fixed Odds).

7. Mickey’s Medal can easily continue on his winning way after finding his groove at this track and trip in his last two starts. He’s creeping up in class now but stays down in the weights with the claim and has a great racing style that sees him land just on the speed and in a striking position. He’ll get that chance again with a noted front-runner drawn wide. Hard to beat.

Dangers: 1. Green Shadows backs up after quite a respectable effort in the Civic Stakes last week and isn’t badly treated with the claim. He only has to run up to his recent form to be competitive back to a Benchmark 88. 2. Thunderlips is impossible to leave out and he should be right around the mark again. Very well ridden when scoring at Randwick three weeks ago, landing in a good spot off an outside gate and bursting through late. Best form is on softer ground but that’s the only negative you could find. 4. Step Aside beat King Of Roseau first-up then a month between runs and he ran on without threatening into third at Sandown. Back home with a similar gap and he’s always a chance in this sort of race.

How to play it: Mickey’s Medal WIN ($3.60 TAB Fixed Odds).

8. Casual Connection is as honest as they come and that’s a big head start in a field of stayers that are a little inconsistent. He’s the only horse in this race that has won a race in the current preparation. Dominant on a heavy track at Randwick two runs back, taking off before the turn and running them into the ground, then not disgraced behind Tympanist when up in weight. Has the luxury of 53kg and while he’d be more dangerous on a wet track what he’ll strike here should be no disadvantage.

Dangers: 6. Mormona showed a glimpse when finishing off nicely late in the Winter Cup at this track and distance second-up from a spell. He is around 600 days since his last win but might be able to settle closer this time and have a better chance. 11. Awesome Wonder was over a month between runs when safely held at 2000m two weeks ago but she is very much a 2400m horse and is capable of improving. 4. Speycaster has run well in two starts at this track since returning from Victoria and a repeat of that last start fourth in the Winter Cup is good enough to have him in the finish somewhere.

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

13. Kazalark might be just about ready to fire fourth-up from over two years off the scene. That’s based on the massive improvement he showed last time out at Canterbury where he made a heap of late ground before running onto heels and easing up very late when fifth over the 1550m. He drops 4kg, draws well and gets up to a nice distance for him. Would be surprised if he doesn’t run well at each-way odds.

Dangers: 10. Piggyback might well be more effective on wetter tracks but it’s also possible she just didn’t come up as well as she has this time around when unplaced in three summer runs. Summer good tracks can be very different to winter ones. She was excellent at Randwick three weeks ago when just beaten in a slowly run race. Trip suits and she’s a big chance. 12. Federer was a drifter in betting and did look a little one paced when working home fairly behind Thunderlips at Randwick first-up. Given he’s jumping the 400m in trip here suggests the stable thought similar. Has shown talent of course winning his first two and can’t be condemned on one run. 7. Impunity might be close to a win after quite a nice return at 1500m behind Mickey’s Medal. Ran some nice late sectionals and was just warming up. Expect he’ll run well here and if he does following him at 2000m plus. Big watch on 1. Hutchence first-up for Chris Waller. His UK form is over 2400m plus but you’d expect him to show something fresh at 1800m.

How to play it: Kazalark EACH-WAY ($11 TAB Fixed Odds).

3. Elamaz is easily the most interesting horse racing all day at Rosehill. French import who is already a stakes winner and is yet to finish worse than second in seven starts. He profiles a little like stablemate Eliyass who won first-up around this time last year then went onto a spring campaign. This gelding hasn’t raced beyond 1600m, which is a major difference, but he’s had three trials and you’d expect him to be on the pace. If he’s above average and has settled in, he wins this race.

Dangers: 4. Touristic has a much better set up than what ultimately unfolded in the Winter Cup where he started $4.40. It was a slowly run race and he’s finished on well but without ever looking a chance. Back to 2000m suits and draws to make a lie of last start. If Elamaz doesn’t fire he’s the one to beat. 2. Loch Eagle is on trial at 2000m but he does it third-up on the back of a strong win at the Randwick mile. He is arguably more effective on wetter tracks but just that little bit of give may be enough with the extra trip. Usually competitive and can be here. 6. Glory Daze had his chance when favourite in the Winter Cup though he may have been a little further back than ideal given how the race was run. Another who relishes the very wet ground but he’s hard fit and can run well.

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

13. Lady Extreme steps up in class but she was impressive a month ago mowing down Let’s Go Again to win a Midway first-up off no official trial. She’s had some time to get over that run and finds a race that should have genuine speed and she’s come up with barrier one. Still lightly raced for a five-year-old and on the way up, she can measure up to this company.

Dangers: 12. Snack Bar has his 13th different rider as the blinkers go on following his second placing behind King Of Roseau last time out. He did look to have his chance but perhaps coming back 100m with the shades on he’s worth another chance. 2. Eye Of The Fire is a consistent type resuming and he did win his first two starts last preparation before continuing to race well. Likely gets back but he’s been able to handle that style of racing in the past. Keep in mind. 10. Liberty State was awesome when storming down the middle to win easily first-up a month ago and it’ll be interesting to see if she can reproduce that. The gap between runs gives her that chance and a drier track is no issue.

How to play it: Lady Extreme WIN ($4.60 TAB Fixed Odds).

All the fields, form and replays for Saturday’s Rosehill meeting