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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 good track.

7. Walkin’talkin’ trialled quite impressively before a game effort on debut at Scone when racing on the pace and boxing on beaten under a length. Fitter for that and in a very winnable race is a good chance.

Dangers: 8. Compassionate held her ground fairly at her first start at Newcastle over 900m and could also have some upside. Has the outside gate this time so tactics will be interesting but has a case. 3. Areeba Spirit gave a good sight first-up at Sapphire Coast from the front then drew wide and just battled at Queanbeyan back in trip. Will need a career best effort but inclined to forgive last start. 2. Not Fazed weakened late after leading over 1100m here back on May 13. Draws to land handy and if he’s going to show something this time in then this race is suitable.

How to play it: Walkin’talkin’ WIN ($1.75 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Walkin’tallkin’ runs fourth at Scone on May 14

3. Nice Water had a torrid run on debut and dropped out then raced wide at Tamworth and was still coming on the line in a very handy effort. Has the rails and drops 4kg after the claim, he should be very competitive.

Dangers: 1. Comonic hasn’t done a lot wrong in two starts and led until the last 100m when runner-up at Gosford last week. Expect he will be right on the speed again and with any favours could take running down. 4. Minniti has found one better in both starts to date having raced on the speed. Interesting to see if she’s ridden a little more conservatively from the wide gate and hits the line or if they persist in going forward. Include in the chances. 6. Playful trialled a couple of times in December then returned with a handy enough third in a small trial field at Wyong on May 17. Locally trained and bears close watching.

How to play it: Nice Water WIN ($4.20 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Nice Water runs second at Tamworth on May 17

4. Dunlee is a consistent type and showed he’s come back in good order with a late closing third at Hawkesbury a couple of weeks back. Extra trip is a plus, he can only improve and he might have found the right race if he gets it run to suit.

Dangers: 3. Angela Sistina did some work to find the lead first-up at Kembla and failed to finish it off beaten three lengths. Imagine she’ll be fitter, gets a drier track and given she was so well supported first-up she’s worth another chance. 2. Light Up My World was a beaten favourite when second-up at Hawkesbury, finishing off okay though safely held by the winner. Likely to be close to his peak now so commands some respect. 6. Magical Angel is a place chance again after stringing together three third placings on end. Margins have been increasing, though, so to win she may need to improve a bit.

How to play it: Dunlee E/W ($5.00 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Dunlee runs third at Hawkesbury on May 20

4. Oakfield Cherokee appreciated getting back on top of the ground as he hit the line with plenty of purpose over a mile at Newcastle. Bred to relish the trip and seems to be close to a win. May need some luck on the tight track but go well. Read trainer Kristen Buchanan's comments here.

Dangers: 9. Comme Bella Fille had her chance in the same race and finished just ahead of Oakfield Cherokee on the line. She obviously has some upside being third-up now and is the logical danger. 6. Shamani has been a shade disappointing this time in since an even first-up effort. Her career best effort came at this track so she’s worth including in the chances. 5. Savagery was hovering around a win before being vaulted in class into a BM72 at Rosehill and not making an impact. Ignore that and his previous efforts are good enough to make a win here no surprise if he achieves it.

How to play it: Oakfield Cherokee E/W ($6.00 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Oakfield Cherokee runs third at Newcastle on May 18

7. River Tycoon had his first run for the new stable and wasn’t disgraced after leading at Newcastle, though he did weaken a bit late. Fitter for that and could get a softer lead this time around. Likely improver and a good each-way chance.

Dangers: 4. Exterminate almost caused a boilover first-up giving Osamu a fright at Newcastle then threw the rider off at the start at Scone. He is a 21 start maiden so that’s a concern but if he runs up to his fresh effort he’s a contender. 9. Dulcero stepped up in trip to 1500m and tried hard when runner-up as favourite at Muswellbrook. Does seem to be improving with racing and while a wide gate here is a worry she has a show. 3. Company Line led and faded at Hawkesbury second-up but did give plenty of cheek over this course when resuming. If he runs up to that career best effort he could be in the finish somewhere again.

How to play it: River Tycoon E/W ($4.40 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

River Tycoon runs fourth at Newcastle on May 18

6. Oakfield Arrow does look a promising type and she comes out of a strong Class 2 at Scone beaten half a length and she did a few things wrong. Just touched out prior, drawn nicely here on her home track and she should be hard to beat.

Dangers: 5. Smart Success hasn’t raced since an eye-catching third at Newcastle on April 15 at her first run for the Freedmans. May not concede so much start here and looks a threat. 3. Leisa Louise raced very consistently last time in and has two recent trials to fit her for a bold first-up run. Check betting but no surprise to see her in the finish. 9. Hard Faith is racing well without winning this time in and with gate one and an on pace racing pattern could easily fill a placing. Any rain would assist too.

How to play it: Oakfield Arrow WIN ($1.95 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Oakfield Arrow runs fourth at Scone on May 14

11. Thailand seems to be working up to win and he attacked the line nicely from last into a close third at Newcastle second-up. Extra 100m and barrier one appear to be pluses and with even luck can figure in the finish at good odds.

Dangers: 10. Budhwar was game in defeat at Gosford two starts back and had excuses when wide and on the pace at Scone before dropping out. Home track and entitled to another chance. 6. Explosive Truth is an on pacer who held them off to win first-up before a brave second on a heavy track at Kembla just over a week ago. Will roll forward here and if left alone can be hard to run down. 7. Lake Tai has been freshened up since failing to beat a horse home at Gosford on Anzac Day. Form before that was very honest and he has trialled okay since his flop. Drawn well and could rebound.

How to play it: Thailand E/W ($8.50 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Thailand runs third at Newcastle on May 18

4. No Laughing Matter showed some promise last time in and while she failed in her last couple in Brisbane she has shown she’s come back well in two trials. Can sit just off the pace, would like to see her solid in betting though, and he hard to hold out late.

Dangers: 5. Dual Escape is probably better on a wet track but her last two ventures to the Wyong 1100m have resulted in all the way wins. Easier here than his last couple in town and she can give some cheek. 2. Toro Toro won at Mudgee three runs back at this trip then a close up fourth at Gosford. Battled on okay at 1200m at Newcastle last time and is one of those horses that is always a chance. 9. Ready To Roam gets back and runs on strongly, as he did when fourth at Newcastle last time, so if the speed is on he'll be the one charging.

How to play it: No Laughing Matter WIN ($1.85 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

No Laughing Matter runs second in a trial at Wyong on May 17

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