RACE 2 - 1.05PM: COOKING IS NOT AN OPTION F&M MAIDEN PLATE (1000m)

Now the girls’ turn over the same distance, and more depth here. The betting will tell a story, but keen on debutante three-year-old filly 2. Cool Missile (Smart Missile x Cool Gal by Secret Savings) from the Kris Lees stable who did it nicely at both ends under a decent hold in a recent trial, and draws to get early cover.
Dangers: Home track filly 10. Vallejo found the line nicely from well back in the heavy here at only second start, and can improve further first time on top of the ground while Grafton filly 3. Fudginit was only overhauled in the last few strides resuming at home, although up in weight and drawn off the track.
How to play it: Cool Missile to win.
Odds and Evens: Evens.

RACE 3 - 1.40PM: TEAM THOROUGHBRED NSW MAIDEN HANDICAP (1300m)

Still with the maidens, but out in trip. Promising three-year-old filly 3. Tolerate from the Far North Coast stable of Matt Dunn was very good on debut at Grafton hitting the line late in a handy maiden. Extra ground is ideal, and only needs an early break to get in from a wide draw before launching home again.
Dangers: Stablemate filly 13. Our Girl Wanda faces a similar task from a wide draw after working home well first-up. Port Macquarie four-year-old 1. Flying Mojo has far more ability than his ordinary record suggests, and resumes without a public trial, but that it typical of the stable which often gets them ready through trackwork. Took on much tough metro and provincial company last prep, and expect him to be finishing off late.
How to play it: Tolerate to win.
Odds and Evens: Odds.

RACE 4 - 2.15PM: COOEE SCREEN PRINTS BENCHMARK 58 HANDICAP (1600m)

Up to the mile for an open affair. Like the placement well into the prep for capable three-year-old filly 4. My Desire from the Kristen Buchanan yard at Wyong. Was competitive enough at Gosford and Scone before hitting the line from well back in a handy class 2 at Port, and this looks a shade easier.
Dangers: Lightly raced five-year-old Far North Coast mare 5. Without Risk is a clear threat from the inside draw. Has finished hard from well back in her last two, and only needs clear air from the turn to be in the finish again. Tough Port Macquarie five-year-old 2. Condover Hall charged through late to win this grade second-up at home. Steps quickly to the mile, but raced OK over further last prep, and looks over the odds in this field. Speaking of value, Wyong nine-year-old 1. Bluesbro also looks a big quote after sticking on OK in a much stronger race at Port, and sharp rise in weight has been offset with a rookie 4kg claimer booked. Include Port Macquarie four-year-old 7. In Ya Skyrocket in exotics after working home for a dominant win in weaker grade at Kempsey, and suited getting to the mile.
How to play it: My Desire to win, quinella 4 and 5 and trifecta 2,4,5/1,2,4,5,7/1,2,4,5,7.
Odds and Evens: Split.

RACE 5 - 2.50PM: TIDE SEEKER CLASS 1 & MAIDEN PLATE (1600m)

Big field and one of the more open races, with a stack of chances. Improving Muswellbrook three-year-old 2. Chargement from the Todd Howlett stable has been up for a while, but bursting to win a second race after powering home late at Port Macquarie. Still treated nicely at the weights, and should get the cover to allow him to charge over the top.
Dangers: Underrated Newcastle three-year-old 4. Salsa Dreaming has a tough task from the outside gate, but hit the line nicely in consecutive BM58s, and his best is good enough. Local five-year-old mare 10. The Timewarp was a dominant maiden winner two runs back, and another with so much more to offer than his one win and six placings from 21 starts. Drawn to get a sweet run around midfield. Improving home-track filly 14. With Certainty broke through at Grafton in a handy maiden, but this is tougher while Grafton three-year-old 5. Volfoni improved sharply stepping up near this trip at Lismore, although takes on better opposition here.
How to play it: Chargement to win.
Odds and Evens: Evens.

RACE 6 - 3.25PM: MUTLEYS MAIL BENCHMARK 66 HANDICAP (1000m)

Plenty of chances here in a good quality sprint headed by smart four-year-old mare 3. Gold Rhapsody from the Margaret De Gonneville stable at Port Macquarie who looks well placed after a 3kg claim despite a tricky draw. Careered away to win her last two comfortably, and although more effective on rain-affected tracks still has plenty of class on top of the ground.
Dangers: Watch for Wyong three-year-old 5. Upper East Side powering home late fourth-up after finishing hard in similar company last two. A little extra ground would be ideal, but the speed should be on so look out. Local mare 7. Cosmic Ruby was easily swamped first-up in Gold Rhapsody’s latest win, but that was first run in five months and can improve sharply. Grafton four-year-old 1. Jule’s Spirit is tough and won two of her last three, but prefers it wetter and climbs to a high 61.5kg.
How to play it: Gold Rhapsody to win, Upper East Side each-way and trifecta 3,5/3,5,7/1,3,5,7.
Odds and Evens: Odds a special.

RACE 7 - 4.00PM: ARENDARCIKAS BROS CLASS 2 HANDICAP (1400m)

Progressive five-year-old mare 11. Value Abbey also from the Buchanan stable was ridden further forward to win a strong class 1 at Muswellbrook last start after charging home late in consecutive runs at Scone. Strike rate doesn’t do her ability justice, and she’s over the odds from a nice draw getting 4kg from the favourite.
Dangers: That favourite, talented three-year-old Murwillumbah filly 3. Astralis, is the obvious threat and headed for much better races after demolishing her rivals in heavy ground here as a hot fancy. Previously was close-up in three strong metro efforts and while she’s rightfully the one to beat, this is her first run this prep on anything better than a soft 6. Include in exotics Inverell five-year-old 4. Can’t Beat Me who just missed resuming at Grafton and home-track mare 6. Supreme Diva who powered home to win two runs back at Taree before finishing hard again at Port. Draws to get a soft run.
How to play it: Value Abbey each way and quinella 3 and 11.
Odds and Evens: Odds.

RACE 8 - 4.35PM: #LASTRACERAY BENCHMARK 58 HANDICAP (1200m)

Another wide open one to finish, although improving four-year-old mare 8. Nicconi Lass from the Port stable of John Sprague is over the odds rising in trip third-up. Got right under the market radar winning a handy class 2 at big odds first-up before doing her best work late in a deeper class 3, and now desperate for more ground.
Dangers: Murwillumbah filly 3. Dreamtime Magic was disappointing third-up at Port after narrowly missing in first two runs back, but trainer has tinkered with the gear and leading country rider gets on. Improving local mare 1. Lolly Dolly has only missed a place twice from six starts, and resumed with an emphatic class 1 win in the heavy. Up in weight and this is tougher. Home-track mare 12. Tycoon Anna is best of the rest from a nice draw.
How to play it: Nicconi Lass each way and box trifecta 1,3,8,12.
Odds and Evens: Split.

BEST BETS
R2 2. COOL MISSILE
R5 2. CHARGEMENT

BEST VALUE:
R7 11. VALUE ABBEY

Tips supplied by Racing NSW.
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au