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By Ray Hickson

Tips and race by race preview by Ray Hickson for Thursday’s Wyong meeting. Selections based on a soft 5-6 track.

5. Deliya is worth a look at odds after a much improved second-up placing here two weeks ago. Her 36.07 last 600m (Punter's Intelligence) was the best of the race by more than a length. The mile looks to suit and potential for a bit of pressure up front gives her a chance to run on. Go well.

Dangers: 1. Discombe tried to lead all the way at Canterbury and was cut down late by a very short priced favourite. Will look to lead again from barrier one and around this track could be hard to catch. 2. Grand Eagle ran on well when resuming then led and boxed on pretty well to hold second at Newcastle. Close to peak now this time in and commands plenty of attention. 4. Exterminate has put a couple of nice efforts together, just missing at Goulburn then running on without threatening at Hawkesbury. Had a few chances and is an each-way hope.

How to play it: Deliya E/W ($8.00 TAB Fixed Odds).

Deliya runs a close third at Wyong on June 6

3. Arboreal loomed up to win at Newcastle third-up and just didn’t finish it off but held on for third. Has been around the mark and coming back 100m might be a plus. Worth another chance.

Dangers: 6. In Lighten Me is another market watch first-up over what seems to be a trip short of her best. But she’s trialling very well and could easily have improved this time in. Next best 2. Veloraad who debuted in a strong maiden and will find less depth in this one so can improve a bit. Next best 4. Cosmic Deluxe though more as a place chance after a fair effort at Gosford last month.

How to play it: Arboreal WIN ($2.60 TAB Fixed Odds).

Arboreal runs third at Newcastle on June 8

1. Front Sight is a very promising gelding and deserved short priced favourite on what he’s shown in three city starts to date. Just outsprinted first-up at Warwick Farm but is suited up in trip and back to this level. Should win but is very short.

Dangers: 10. Zakat has bumped into a couple of strong maidens in his two starts so far behind Exceedance at this track and Funstar at Canterbury. Barrier is tricky but entitled to feature. 8. Judicator has a couple of easy trials under the belt for his debut and should get plenty of favours from an ideal barrier. On his trials you can expect him to run well, remains to be seen if he’s good enough to topple the favourite. 9. Under The Pump started huge odds but runner-up over this course two weeks ago and while I wouldn’t predict he can go one better in this field he could easily finish top four..

How to play it: Front Sight/Zakat exacta.

Front Sight runs second at Warwick Farm on May 29

3. Caesura was a victim of circumstance when a beaten favourite over this course first-up and is well worth another chance. Didn’t settle and was shoved out of the pack at a vital stage but still ran on okay late. Can lift.

Dangers: 8. Caribbean Kisses has gone around in a couple of handy trials and her trial against Funstar was particularly good after leading. Tricky gate for her but with any luck she is right in the finish on what we’ve seen. 1. Perigord has been placed in all four starts at both provincial and country level and returns off a narrow trial win at Kembla. He should run well but perhaps a little under the odds. 6. Tell No Tales showed her first glimpse of form since her debut last year when resuming with a game second over this course two weeks back. Bit more depth here it seems but she should give a good account again.

How to play it: Caesura WIN ($4.00 TAB Fixed Odds).

Caesura runs third at Wyong on June 6

3. Our Candidate is another very short priced favourite who looks the winner if he has a bit more luck than he did second-up at Newcastle a month ago. Drops a couple of grades and 2.5kg so is incredibly well placed to break through.

Dangers: 2. Mushroom Rock should be a big improver now he’s out to his preferred distance range. Actually ran well fresh then just worked home fairly at a mile. Raced consistently at the end of last prep at a middle distance so include him in the chances. 10. Dreamfyre was huge odds at Gosford second-up but ran out of her skin to finish second. Has a placing over this course from last prep and while she’s unlikely to win she could easily be placed again. 8. Havazac is a 51 start maiden but could chalk up another placing if he can repeat his last start fourth over this course.

How to play it: Trifecta 3/2,8,10/2,8,10.

Our Candidate has no luck running fifth at Newcastle on May 18

1. Lashes has the best form on the board and had she drawn better she’d probably be close to a good thing. But she has a wide gate and top weight to make you nervous. She’ll go forward and if she gets the breaks early she can still prevail, we’ll just be getting a better price. Read trainer Matthew Smith's comments here.

Dangers: 10. Sir Elton has a bit of a rap on him and he didn’t disappoint on debut winning easily at Gosford. Barrier one is a big advantage for him, he can only be fitter and if Lashes has no luck he’s the likely winner. 7. Fifteen Rounds showed promise in his first three starts then thrown into much tougher contests, including a Listed race, and wasn’t up to it. Finds this a lot easier and he’s well worth keeping safe. 6. Lucand Lad has run well fresh in both preparations then failed second-up so if that trend continues he’s in the mix here. Latest trial was against open company, he’s an on pacer drawn to be in this for a long way.

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

Lashes wins her trial at Randwick on June 14

A bit of speed on paper here that could suit 2. Quick Finance from a soft barrier. Sat off the pace when breaking through easily at Kembla last start and he could easily go on with the job. Each-way.

Dangers: 1. Doctor Zous will look to lead again, he staved off all the challengers at Hawkesbury last time until the winner slipped up on his inside. Tighter track might suit too and he’s a definite chance. 3. Battle Cry tried to lead all the way here two weeks ago and just bumped into a promising type who got him late. Presses forward again and is one of the chances though obviously relies on a bit of luck with the speed picture. 7. Bryan’s Babe doesn’t win out of turn but she ran well in the same race as Doctor Zous last time off a wide alley and has the inside here, so she could get an easy run and that has her in the mix for a place.

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

Quick Finance wins easily at Kembla Grange on June 1

Happy to stay with 7. Nautibernie who ran well fresh here but just found it a bit too sharp. Second-up form is better, the mile suits and the sting out of the track helps too. Improver who can be in the finish.

Dangers: 1. Auburn Boy broke a run of second placings when he held them off at Kembla at 1500m last time out. Down 2.5kg with the claim and while up in class he’s consistent and should be competitive again. 10. Press Review hit the line nicely late to run third here in the same race as Nautibernie so has to be considered. Untried at the trip but bred to handle it. 5. Gloriosa wasn’t fancied when she resumed with a fair effort in a Class 2 here two weeks ago, also the same race in question. Down a notch in class and the trip is in her favour so expect to see an improved performance from her.

How to play it: Nautibernie E/W ($6.50 TAB Fixed Odds).

Nautibernie runs sixth at Wyong on June 6

All the fields, form and replays for Thursday’s Wyong meeting