Another very tricky maiden sprint. Well bred 4YO local mare 8. TOATOA (Manhattan Rain x Anapine by Anabaa) from the Paul Messara yard has been given plenty of time at the trials finishing nicely in the latest run at a good tempo when she was never really let off the bridle. Debuts in blinkers.
DANGERS: Armidale 4YO mare 9. Vinaigrette has proved costly this prep, and is still searching for that break-through win after 15 starts, but will love getting on to this bigger sweeping track for the first time. Powered home late two starts back behind a smart one at Tamworth before landing in a very awkward spot last start when making up late ground. Top country rider is a significant booking. Home track 4YO mare 3. Black Run wasn't far away in a handy maiden here on debut, and blinkers have been removed. Improving Inverell mare 4. Fight For Love appreciated the extra trip at Coffs Harbour on Cup Day finishing well in a maiden with plenty of depth. Like the way Tamworth mare 6. Stashes attacked the line late first-up off a long break at Moree, although this is a bit tougher. Watch the betting on another expensive debutant, Warwick Farm 3YO 10. Slipped Up (Fastnet Rock x Slippery Rose by War Front) who comes off a sound trial.
How to play it: Toatoa to win Odds and Evens: Split

Race 3 MAIDEN PLATE (1600m)

Thin battle over the mile at set weights augurs well for improving Coonabarabran 4YO gelding 5. FOR DA BOYS from the Wayne Martyn yard. Has been no match for a couple of smart winners in his last two, but keeps finding the line, and getting out to this distance on a big tracker from a nice draw is a huge plus.
DANGERS: Home track 4YO 7. Wadi Musa tends to mix his runs but should be at peak now after sticking on well to beat all but the winner in a handy maiden. Muswellbrook 7YO 1. Austinimer comes back in distance and finds his weakest race for a while.
My Betting Attack: For Da Boys to win Odds and Evens: Odds

Race 4 BM 58 HCP (2050m)

Lightly raced Walcha 5YO 2. TOM'S KNIGHT from the George Woodward yard is hard fit and continues to race well. Missed by a whisker over the mile three runs back before a dominant front-running win over further at Wellington, and then hit the line in a deeper race at Tamworth. Up to 62kg, but a proven and durable weight carrier.
DANGERS: Warwick Farm mare 5. Chapelis will find this more to her liking after being well beaten by an emerging stayer this grade at Goulburn. Big gap to the rest, although Wellington 10YO 8. Lucky Elixir destroyed a weaker field at Gilgandra last start, and stable is enjoying a terrific run.
How to play it: Tom's Knight to win

Race 5 CLASS 1 HCP (1400m)

Competitive race. Punters left it in the bag with 4YO Dubbo mare 2. SHINING EAGLE trained by Kody Nestor second-up in a CL2 at home, but she was slow to recover that day, and back on firmer footing can reproduce that explosive and easy maiden win fresh.
DANGERS: Muswellbrook mare 6. Ludevine hit the line late in that same Dubbo race behind From The Bush, and can peak here third-up over this trip. Progressive Wyong mare 7. Rockness Angel caused a huge upset beating the hot favourite to win her maiden here, and looks well in carrying half kilo less in a race with little depth.
How to play it: Shining Eagle to win Odds and Evens: Split

Race 6 OPEN HCP (1300m)

Good quality battle. Like the placement here for impressive 5YO mare 7. EMANUELA from the home track Messara camp. Resumes with no public trial, but normally comes to hand quickly in the prep, and 56kg is a luxury weight for one used to carrying plenty more. Drawn to get plenty of cover back in the field and be produced in the straight.
DANGERS: Local 6YO front-runner 8. Oneness has enough ability, but starting to prove costly following a string of placings, and then compounding late in a BM 66 at Forbes. Talented Tamworth 6YO 11. Ratler flashed home late first-up at home in a good quality BM 66, and second-up credentials are good. Gets in light after rider's claim. Lightly raced Tamworth 6YO 3. Pat's Nipper attacked the line late resuming in a BM 79 at Moree, and second-up form is solid. Newcastle 7YO 2. All From Scrap is slowly building towards another win sticking on well into a place in his last two, although can be very one-paced under pressure.
How to play it: Emanuela each way and trifecta 7,8,11/2,3,7,8,11/2,3,7,8,11
Odds and Evens: Split

Race 7 CLASS 2 HCP (1000m)

We close the card with an exciting sprint, and there are plenty of chances. Keen on 3YO Warwick Farm filly 5. TUDOR MUSIC from the Greg Hickman yard second-up. Resumed with a smart and dominant CL1 win at Muswellbrook beating Emilette who then won easily next start.
DANGERS: Smart Newcastle mare 2. Xiaoli's Ying reloads again after the Cessnock meeting was abandoned. Won two straight over this trip last spring, and had two trials leading in. Tough local 6YO 4. Gold Codes was brave chasing home Remlaps Gem under a big weight, although faces a task to find cover from the wide draw.
How to play it: Tudor Music to win and quinella 2 & 5. Odds and Evens: Split

BEST BETS
Race 3: (5) FOR DA BOYS
Race 5: (2) SHINING EAGLE
BEST VALUE
Race 6: (7) EMANUELA

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