Race 2 – 1:10PM DUBBO RSL CLUB RESORT MAIDEN HANDICAP (1420M)

Have been waiting for 9. Japingka to get out to 1400m and the four-year-old strikes a very winnable one at that. She just hasn’t had the turn of foot to put a race away over the sprint trips this preparation. No excuses now.

Dangers: 1. Dawn Strike was beaten a long way at Muswellbrook last start but he is lightly raced and has scope to improve over further. This is easier too.

How to play it: Japingka win.

Odds & evens: Odds.

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Race 3 – 1:50PM LIFE MEMBERS MAIDEN PLATE (1120M)

Willing to speculate on unraced four-year-old 2. Chevconi with Grant Buckley in the saddle. The gelding trialled well in tow back in 2019 before spending a year on the sidelines which saw him transferred to Gayna Williams. Liked his Dubbo trial since. Monitor betting.

Dangers: 1. Banju has bumped into two handy ones in his two seconds and won’t be a maiden for much longer. He’s the one with the runs on the board. 4. Alison Princess and 5. Great Excitement are in the mix.

How to play it: Chevconi win.

Odds & evens: Split.

Race 4 – 2:30PM JOHN MCKINNON MEMORIAL BENCHMARK 58 HANDICAP (1120M)

Kody Nestor’s new recruit 1. Daredevil will be too classy for these if he brings his best. The ex- Snowden trained gelding was very much a work in progress early days but teased with glimpses of ability. Has 62kg but there’s only a handful of winning chances.

Dangers: 2. Costas last ran over 1600m but he has run well off similar freshens in the past, and over sprint trips too. Will be running on late. 7. Miss Hugo A Gogo didn’t have much luck from a wide draw last start.

How to play it: Daredevil win.

Odds & evens: Split.

Race 5 – 3:10PM MILESTONE HOTEL BENCHMARK 58 HANDICAP (1120M)

3. Amy’s Shadow is five weeks between runs, which is some small query, but if she holds that form, she’s the horse to beat. Ran on behind Halcyon House last start while she bolted in prior to that to win her maiden. This looks an ideal trip.

Dangers: 4. Blue Tattoo has won two from 10 and both of those wins came first-up. Has been 10 weeks since being tried at the mile. Liked his Muswellbrook trial since. 2. True Pride is the improver back from open company.

How to play it: Amy’s Shadow win.

Odds & evens: Split.

Race 6 – 3:46PM REEVE WHEELER MEMORIAL CUP SPRINT PRELUDE (1120M)

8. Toulon Brook got out to 1900m at the back end of last preparation but the heavy track will make this a test, which suits. Handles the wet and will be charging late. Kody Nestor has a strong hand in this race with all three on the Dubbo Cup path.

Dangers: It’s hard to split Nestor’s other runners 1. Fast Talking and 6. Sneak Preview. Fast Talking won well first-up over the sprint trip last preparation. 7. Syd’s Footprints looks the leader in this but wants it drier.

How to play it: Toulon Brook win.

Odds & evens: Split.

Race 7 – 4:21PM DUBBO CITY TOYOTA DUBBO CUP PRELUDE (1420M)

3. Westlink looked a touch disappointing last start when hard in the market but perhaps 1100m straight to 1400m found him out late. Should present at his top now third-up and the six-year-old is always hard to beat on his home deck.

Dangers: 12. The Frick is racing out of his grade and is over a year between runs but don’t want to be too quick to discount him as his win before the lay-off was enormous. Has been aggressively placed.

How to play it: Westlink win.

Odds & evens: Split.

Race 8 – 5PM CHILL-RITE DAIKIN CLASS 2 HANDICAP (1420M)

3. Shining Eagle started his new chapter with Kody Nestor with a bang here at Dubbo three weeks ago. The mare belted her rivals and she ran much quicker overall time than 1. From The Bush did at the same meeting. Can go right on with it now.

Dangers: 8. Stunning Mosa beat subsequent winner Dancing Dollar first up, charging home before working home well at Taree in a leader-dominated race. Looks suited out to 1400m now.

How to play it: Shining Eagle win.

Odds & evens: Split.

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