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Neil Evans' Tips for Wagga (Thursday)

Track Good 4 and rail true.

Picture: Race Images South

Race 1 - 12:10PM BELLA GROUP MAIDEN PLATE (2100 METRES)

4. Montgomery was unplaced in his first five starts, including the first three since resuming from a spell this campaign, before showing improvement when running home well to finish third at Newcastle last time out. The step up in distance should suit.

Dangers8. Khant Fail wasn't beaten too far when failing to beat a runner home on debut, then showed improvement when a last start third behind Impunity at Newcastle. She's up in trip quickly and should figure prominently. 6. Polarity is lightly raced with just three starts to his name and could be placed in what isn't the strongest of races. 5. Pantsman has finished fourth in each of his last three starts and could manage to figure in the placings in this.

How to play it: Montgomery WIN.

Race 2 - 12:50PM WYONG LEAGUES GROUP SUPER MAIDEN PLATE (1300 METRES)

1. Creek has had six starts, all in Victoria, and has been placed in four of them. He's had three runs back from a spell and finished third in the latest two of them at Sandown and Pakenham. He wasn't beaten far in the latest of them and the extra 100m is in his favour.

Dangers3. Make A Call has run well in much better races than this during his career and he charged to the line for a last start second at this track. He should be in the finish here if he can repeat that effort. 4. Reggae Fire is resuming from a spell here and was placed at Newcastle when first-up last campaign. 5. Street Magic finished fifth in the same race Make A Call contested last time out and can sneak into the placings in this.

How to play it: Creek WIN.

Race 3 - 1:25PM CLUB TERRIGAL PROVINCIAL MAIDEN HANDICAP (1350 METRES)

2. Fomorian had two trials in August and September of last year when in the care of Michael Freedman then went for a break. He returned from a break in the care of trainer Kylie Gavenlock and managed to score a trial win at this track over 1000m. He makes his debut in this.

Dangers4. Irish Bliss raced on the speed when resuming at Kembla Grange when finishing second and a repeat of that would have him in the finish of this. 5. Smart Serenade debuted with a fourth at Taree and can be placed in this with a repeat of that. 3. Fyodor is on debut here after two trials and a bold showing is on the cards.

How to play it: Fomorian EACH WAY.

Race 4 - 2:00PM ETTALONG DIGGERS MAIDEN HANDICAP (1000 METRES)

1. Dial Of Destiny is on debut here for trainer David Payne, and he comes into this on the back of two recent Rosehill barrier trials, including a close-up fourth in the latest of them. He's drawn wide but looks to have talent.

Dangers: 2. Lizzie's Gem is resuming from a spell on the back of a solid trial victory. She's shown enough ability in her six-start career to be rated one of the hardest to beat here. 5. Ningaloo Reef was placed at Orange on debut and he can make an impact again despite taking on the older horses. 7. Du Cap should be improved by her two starts to date and can make an impact in this.

How to play it: Dial Of Destiny EACH WAY.

Race 5 - 2:45PM MOUNTIES CLASS 1 HANDICAP (1600 METRES)

2. Zerkhan finished third in his most recent three starts at the end of last preparation before being spelled. He looked good in his trials before resuming this campaign and did the job well as favourite to score at Hawkesbury.

Dangers: 3. Magicon was midfield on the Beaumont track at Newcastle on debut, then followed that up with a surprise win at this track when big odds when leading throughout. He only needs to run up to that to be rated one of the hardest to beat again here. 5. Sanbano was a winner at Newcastle two starts ago, and comes into this after a last start fourth at Wellington. 6. Rapid Impact has been just behind the placings in both runs back from a spell and is ready to peak now.

How to play it: Zerkhan WIN.

Race 6 - 3:25PM ETTALONG BOWLING CLUB MIDWAY BM68 HANDICAP (1350 METRES)

7. Dimaggio bounced back to form last time when leading and fighting on well to finish second at Hawkesbury. He can race on the speed again here from a good gate and should take plenty of running down.

Dangers4. Reggie's Boy had been racing well with a couple of fourths and a third, before breaking through with an impressive last start Muswellbrook victory. 5. Baranof finished second at this track two starts ago and that was either side of some Midway runs in town. He is suited in this. 1. Desert Voice is an import having his first Australian start and has had two trials to prepare.

How to play it: Dimaggio WIN.

Race 7 - 4:05PM TOUKLEY GOLF CLUB CG&E BENCHMARK 64 HANDICAP (1100 METRES)

The feature race of the day run at Quality level naturally serves up a heap of chances in a very wide sprint, but no better value than high class six-year-old 3. Gravina resuming with key gear changes. No public trials, but will come to hand and tackled much smarter opposition last prep, including a flashing second in Listed company at Caulfield, and prior to that a midfield finish in The Hunter at Newcastle.

Dangers: Big watch on talented 1. Rocketing By second-up a month between runs, and coming back from tougher Group 3 company via a soft trial. High class local 11. Asgarda returns to her backyard from a good draw after a fighting win in the Country C'ship Final at Randwick. Well treated on the limit weight, and nicely placed back a furlong in distance 26 days between runs. Despite a wide barrier, Victorian raider 16. The Prodigal Son is capable of running into the finish 11 days after a dominant Prelude win here; while watching for big-finishing 15. Tap 'N' Run charging home late after beating all but the former in that Prelude run at BM 85 level.

How to play it: Gravina to win

Race 8 - 4:40PM SHARP DS KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS F&M BM64 (1100 METRES)

Back up to the mile for the older gallopers to close the card, and progressive home track mare 10. Capital Express looks well placed at the value to claim back-to-back wins fifth-up. Powered home from last to finish just behind the placegetters in similar company over the border before finishing hard to easily win a weaker graded race at this track 11 days ago when backed from $3.30 into $2.60. More than ready for the step back up in class, and drops 2kg for this.

Dangers: Plenty of them starting with tough as teak home tracker 14. County Kilkenny who kept coming for a gallant third-up win at Albury in weaker grade after coming under pressure a long way from home. Wodonga-based mare 7. Duped By Spin drops back from an even effort in BM 70 company over the border, but still looks under the odds up in weight from a tricky draw. Keep safe at big odds 2. Invertational despite a wide gate getting out to the mile fourth-up; while both 8. Fox Appeal deep into his prep and drew the fence; and 13. Gold Tracker back a furlong in distance fifth-up; can run into the minor money.

How to play it: Capital Express to win

BEST BETS:
R2 2. BAMBI BELLE
R7 3. GRAVINA

BEST VALUE:
R4 6. CHECK SIDE