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By Neil Evans

The track is rated a Soft 6 with the rail in the True position.

The maidens start over the sprint trip in an intriguing battle. Like promising two-year-old colt 2. Deficit ($2.80 on TAB) who missed by a whisker finishing hard on debut at Wyong after being slow to begin from the inside. That was a strong form race, considering both Kiss Sum (5th) and Royalzel (8th) bolted in their next starts. Don't mind him jumping here from the outside gate and this is a youngster who could go on to much bigger things. Was scratched from Canterbury Park on Wednesday to run here.

Dangers: Another two-year-old colt 3. Selhurst Park ($3.90) closed off late debuting on that same day at Wyong after being heavily backed, and he's the immediate threat. Ultra consistent three-year-old 1. Prince Invincible ($2.50 favourite) is third-up and hasn't missed a place in five runs stretching back to the spring. Was very good after working from a wide gate at Scone under a similar weight and bursting to break through.

How to play it: Deficit to win
Odds and Evens: Split

A few chances in this one. Keen on talented Exosphere filly 4. Premosphere ($2.30 fav) returning off a near eight-month spell. Has been given plenty of time after sitting three-wide and cruising home under a good hold to win a synthetic trial.

Dangers: Big watch too on More Than Ready filly 6. Kittyhawk Flyer ($4.80) who resumes off a winning trial. Scone three-year-old 2. Comonic ($5.50) was scratched from a later race to run here in his second start, and improving three-year-old 1. Chalkley ($7.50) draws well for his third start.

How to play it: Premosphere to win and quinella 4 and 6
Odds and Evens: Evens

Out in distance at set weights. Kiwi-bred mare 4. Upscale ($3.30) has only one win from 29 starts but placed a further nine times. Gets to the longer journey at the right time of her prep after working home okay over the mile in better races and there's very little depth here. Gets in well at the weights too after the country jockey's full provincial claim.

Dangers: Expecting three-year-old 2. Do This All Day ($2.70 fav) to rebound from the Kembla failure with significant gear changes, and on an improving track. Provincial four-year-old 1. Mexican Standoff ($6.50) is another one with an ordinary strike rate, but hard fit and also sharply down in weight after the claim, while 3. Zoomerango ($4) needs to improve up in trip but will find this much easier than his last two.

How to play it: Upscale to win
Odds and Evens: Split

Tricky and moderate affair. Improving provincial mare 8. Toguchi ($2.40 fav) finished off okay in heavy ground when well-backed third-up and she can hit a peak performance here from a soft draw.

Dangers: Provincial filly 5. Loniesha ($3.30) resumes after two trials with winkers on for the first time and the betting will be a big pointer; and 9. Alexeyeva ($6) has a tough draw but can improve further third-up.

How to play it: Toguchi to win
Odds and Evens: Split

From a good trailing draw and against mediocre opposition, this should be shelling peas for promising two-year-old 5. Sinba ($1.75 fav) up to the mile at his second start. A son of dual Kiwi Group 1-winning Xtravagant, he let down nicely from well back to win on debut at Newcastle and has much bigger fish to fry than this.

Dangers: Tough three-year-old 1. Legal Challenge ($7.50) has been right on the winner's heels in two runs since sweeping home to claim his maiden at Canberra. Another two-year-old on the improve 6. Maurice's Choice ($5.50) has run well above his market price in two runs so far, and can fill a place; so too can provincial filly 9. Mon Amore ($10) who is hard fit for the trip and down sharply in weight after the claim.

How to play it: Sinba to win and trifecta 5/1,6,9/1,6,9
Odds and Evens: Odds

Few good chances here. Like Godolphin three-year-old 1. Tamerlane ($4.40) resuming as a gelding off a winning trial. Beat a handy metropolitan maiden field fresh last spring after box seating behind the speed and draws to do similar here.

Dangers: Capable mare 5. Eye See Things ($2.80 fav) just needs to tuck in from an awkward gate to be in the finish fourth-up. Hasn't been far away in tougher races after leading all the way to land her maiden and top jockey sticks. Progressive three-year-old 2. Tastebud ($4.60) is also set for a strong return after two forward trials but will have to get across from a wide draw. Keep safe at the price 3. Unrelenting ($10) who resumes off two improving trials, while 7. Rosa Moyessi ($8.50) held her ground resuming at Scone and only win so far from five starts came second-up as a heavily backed favourite last spring.

How to play it: Tamerlane to win
Odds and Evens: Odds

Easily the most open and competitive race is saved for last, with some key ones resuming. Improving provincial three-year-old 11. Mix ($3.40 fav) has been close-up in two runs since bolting in his maiden on Albury Cup day. Has a race fitness edge well into the prep, and draws to get a nice trail.

Dangers: Emerging filly 1. Ready To Soar ($5) is also ready to pick up where she predominantly left off last spring, winning three straight at this track before failing in soft ground against stronger metro opposition. Fitted with two trials and gets a useful 3kg claim. Got plenty of time for smart mare 7. Daphne Jean ($6) who hasn't raced for nearly 14 months after landing her first two starts here. Has looked forward enough at the trials, but drew off the track. Progressive four-year-old 9. That's Better ($5.50) is also first-up off two trials and draws to either lead or sit right behind the speed.

How to play it: Mix to win and box trifecta 1,7,9,11
Odds and Evens: Odds a special

BEST BETS
R3 4. UPSCALE ($3.30)
R4 8. TOGUCHI ($2.40)

BEST VALUE
R6 1. TAMERLANE ($4.40)

View the final fields with full form & race replays for Gosford here