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By Neil Evans

Track Good 4 and rail true:

4. Riga is a progressive four-year-old in this company, trained on the track, and well placed to strike first-up against the older horses. Won both lead-up trials, the latest working to the outside and finishing over the top with something in hand. Shapes as the best treated runner after the jockey's claim under the set weight conditions. 1. Algorithmic hasn't been far away this prep in four provincial maidens when always in the market, but starting to prove costly, and a query if the ground is really firm. 2. Classic Two is fit and has chased gamely into a place in his last two, but is also struggling to break through. 9. Spud Gun has made steady improvement in three runs to open her career, and drawn to get cover.

How to play it: Riga to win

1. Written Doll is progressive, and banging on the door after placing in all three runs this prep, and has a race fitness advantage in what is now a weakened affair. Saddled with 60kg, but drawn to get a handy run on speed. 4. Dragon Blood reloads 15 days after a solid closing effort on debut when beating home the former. 8. Too Expensive is by UK superstar Frankel, and a market watch on debut for the Kris Lees yard. Opens his career in blinkers, and comes through that same trial as the on top selection in the opening race. Gap to the rest.

How to play it: Written Doll to win

9. Parthenon can stage a big upset here at double figure odds at just his third start. Was dominant from the front on debut at Gosford before almost repeating the dose leading for a long way in a similar field at Hawkesbury. Ridiculous early odds despite a wide draw, and can utilise good tactical speed with a light weight after the jockey's claim. 4. Portico will likely jump clear favourite resuming for an in-form Randwick stable off two trials. Outclassed in Listed company in Qld on a heavy track last campaign after bolting in his maiden, and this is a very winnable starting point for the new prep from the inside draw. 7. Vain Temptress hit the line powerfully to win on debut at Hawkesbury, and stays at the same trip 24 days between runs. 1. Epic is over the odds coming back in class third-up. 6. Ballet Encore is best of the rest deep into the campaign, and can run into the money; while 11. Cosmic Order well into her first full prep goes in wider exotic plays.

How to play it: Parthenon each way

1. Oakfield Alaska is a smart and unbeaten country four-year-old resuming for a second prep. Capped three straight wins through autumn with a fast-finishing effort in a CL2 Highway before spelling. Given two lead-up trials, the latest impressive working to the line nicely after missing the jump, and she's more than capable of carrying this weight. 5. Ausbred Hed'N'Tail has found the line well in two runs in just his second campaign, coming from both well back and sitting behind the speed. Drawn to get plenty of cover behind the pace, and blinkers go on. Will be surprised if either of those two don't win, but keep safe 2. Copacabana who is still sparingly raced and was competitive around metro BM 72 level last prep. Comes to hand quickly, and also returns via two progressive trials. 3. Sharp Shock who is very fit, and 6. Valentiago resuming off a quiet trial, head the rest.

How to play it: Oakfield Alaska to win

7. Olivia Twist is a sparingly raced and improving mare, primed to peak third-up. Finished well when resuming before being forced to chase a tearaway leader in a deeper race at Warwick farm, and only knocked up late. Blinkers go on 16 days between runs, and she can again stalk the speed before cutting loose from the 300m. Won her only previous start at this course. 2. Last Druid is a tough and fit on-speed local who has won two of his last three. Up a shade in quality, but again drawn to give a big sight, although he would prefer the ground softer. 3. Silencio Porfavor has been up for a long time, but only missed a place once in his last four. Jockey's claim is crucial in an open race with several chances, and handles all conditions. Gap to the rest headed by 8. Famoso who steps up from a strong finishing effort in a weaker class on the synthetic.

How to play it: Olivia Twist to win

*BIG DANCE ELIGIBILITY*

5. Elliptical is tough, and tracking to peak here deep into the current prep after finishing less than two lengths from the winner in the Group 3 Premier Cup. Drawn to get cover, with blinkers importantly back on, and the firming track is a further plus. Stablemate and likely short-priced favourite 2. Matusalem draws the fence, and will naturally be hard to hold out also back from that same Group 3 where he finished in front of the top selection, but meets him worse at the weights here. Needs a decent tempo from the half mile to work right into the finish. 1. Eliyass dug in hard to lead all the way four weeks ago and beat Matusalem when only second-up. Has trialled since and will roll forward again, but has to concede a lot of weight in a non-claiming race. 3. Bella Montagna can run a race fresh despite being 83 days between runs. Took on Group company over the Qld carnival over further, and has been fitted with two trials. 6. Anythink Goes has been up for a long time and would like the surface much softer, but does enjoy a big weight drop after a solid closing effort in the Cup Prelude.

How to play it: Elliptical to win

4. Modella is a lightly raced and talented mare who can resume with a bang in the feature sprint for the girls. Progressed through to Group 1 company over further in the autumn before spelling. Fitted to run this trip out fresh with two trials, the latest sweeping home from the back under a nice hold. Will naturally get back from the wide draw, but capable of reeling off a dominant final 400m with the right toe into the race. 1. Oh Diamond Lil is a smart mare with a 35 percent winning record from 21 starts. Very competitive in black type races last prep, and has won both lead-up trials. 3. Cigar Flick has ability, but can be hard to catch. Finished off okay in her last couple, and the leading jockey sticks. 6. Just Glamourous returned off a let-up with a tough win in fast time in the Prelude. Drawn to get an economical run inside, but taking on some better ones this time. 7. Mareth is a big market watch second-up over more ground; while 10. Mrs Maree who likes this course and was beaten a whisker in the Prelude can add value into trifecta and first fours.

How to play it: Modella to win

6. Rush Attack has found a new lease of life being ridden in front at his last two. Was narrowly run down both times up to BM 68 grade after tackling deeper races from well off speed prior. Adaptable gelding ready to snap a near 19 month wait for another win. 4. Charleroi is trained on the course, and also bursting to win again deep into the campaign. Had little or no luck in two tougher metro races before a big effort against the pattern here when closing off strong against similar standard opposition. 7. Inception is a stablemate of the top selection, and despite being drawn wide, also has enough tactical speed and fitness to be competitive rolling across on speed. 1. Iceford is a market watch in a deeper race second-up; while 2. Northern Eyes is an honest home tracker who slips back from two fair efforts in deeper metro fields.

How to play it: Rush Attack to win

BEST BETS:
R1 4. RIGA
R4 1. OAKFIELD ALASKA

BEST VALUE:
R5 7. OLIVIA TWIST

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