Selections based on a soft track.

Race 1

5. Honeyhill wasn’t beaten far despite finishing eighth in her first two starts back from a spell. She since raced close to the speed and battled on well to finish second at Scone when third-up from a break. She should appreciate the step up in distance in this event and has drawn to get a good run from the outset. 4. Gemtiki has been placed in three of her eight starts and was doing her best work late when charging into third at Kembla Grange when last produced. She gets his chance to show up again. 3. Zorko has finished second at Scone and Newcastle at his latest two starts and has had a solid grounding over staying distances to be rated a leading contender here. 8. Redaluca Girl has a solid place record and can get into the minor money without surprising.

How to play it: Honeyhill WIN.

Race 2

1. Manoora was having her first start for a new stable when leading and scoring by a big margin at Dubbo when resuming from a spell. The 1000m should suit again in this and she should go forward and take plenty of running down. 3. Supido Star won well at Tamworth before running well again when a last start second at this track. She’s racing well enough to give this a shake. 7. Write Me A Letter scored a surprise win on debut at Tamworth before running well when a last start second at this track behind Half Pipe. She is worth including among the main chances. 5. Jagerschnitzel has a handy place record and has minor claims.

How to play it: Manoora WIN.

Race 3

4. Avista is a well-bred filly that has won two of her three starts. She finished third on debut at Scone last November before breaking her maiden at this track and was then spelled. She resumed with a dominant win as favourite at Scone and looks set to go on with the job 2. Talkachino was a Dubbo winner three runs ago and has the talent to be thereabouts, while 3. Zoucratic won well at this track two starts back and has place prospects on the strength of that effort. 7. Hinune was a Goulburn winner two starts ago and was a last start seventh at Scone behind Maples.

How to play it: Avista WIN.

Race 4

1. Bridge Too Far is a Wild Ruler colt on debut and has had two trials and been placed in each of them. He’s drawn well and can kick off his career with a win. 8. Bring Me Chocolate is also on debut after two trials and won the latest of them at this track. She should figure prominently. 6. Honniball Drive will find this easier than a last start effort at Randwick, while 3. Herr Fritz debuts after a number of trials and warrants respect.

How to play it: Bridge Too Far EACH WAY.

Race 5

** 1. Heathcliff ran well enough when third on debut at Tamworth last December and was then spelled. He had two trials before resuming with a close-up third at Scone and gets his chance to break through against this company. 6. Flaunter has been placed in each of her three starts and another forward showing looks to be on the cards if she can run up to those efforts. 7. Don’t Say Do has been midfield in her two most recent runs and is far from the worst, while 5. Samoan Roman** is on debut and won his latest trial at this track.

How to play it: Heathcliff WIN.

Race 6

** 1. Oakfield Duke started at big odds when resuming from a spell at Hawkesbury and hit the line strongly to finish a narrow second. He should have derived benefit from that performance and despite being drawn wide in this he can play a prominent part in the finish again. 13. Nomorenightshift is resuming from a spell after a trial and has a good winning record and is drawn to get a good run from the inside barrier. 6. Hellcibell ran well when a last start third at Grafton and has the talent to get into the finish again. 3. Hibiki Harmony** is resuming from a spell and has been placed twice when first-up.

How to play it: Oakfield Duke EACH WAY.

Race 7

11. Varuni is a lightly raced filly that has only had three starts for a win and two minor placings. She was a winner in maiden company at this track last October and then went out for a spell. She’s had two trials in preparation for this return to racing and finished second in the latest of them at this track. 1. Rock Emperor debuted with a third at Tamworth before scoring an easy win at Quirindi at his second start. He resumes here after a fifth in a Scone trial and only needs to overcome the wide alley to be prominent. 6. Divine Timing is a last start Goulburn winner when resuming and can go on with the job without surprising. 7. La Potenza is first-up from a spell and has a good record with a win and four placings from just five starts. She bears close watching.

How to play it: Varuni WIN.

Best Bets: Race 1 (5) Honeyhill.

Race 7 (11) Varuni.

Best Value: Race 6 (1) Oakfield Duke.

Supplied by Racing NSW