1st Race @ 1.45pm

*Track rated Good 4 and Rail True so should play fairly even

*Race 1 @ 1.45pm TAB.COM.AU MAIDEN PLATE (1000m) - Set Weights; Apprentices Can Claim:

A competitive sprint for the maidens to start, and it's very tricky with a few of the better hopes drawn wide. Progressive 3YO gelding 11. RANUNCULA (Koby Jennings; 56.5kg) from the Stephen Jones stable at Scone was strong late on debut at Muswellbrook in heavy ground when baulked for room early in the straight. Has been given plenty of time since and can break through.

*MAIN DANGERS: Big watch on the Brett Cavanough-trained filly 16. Our Award who is a half sister to unbeaten stablemate mare It's Me, and resumes for only her second start with blinkers going on. Liked her home track trial behind Tempel One who bolted in first-up last week. Wyong mare 6. Enamour is still searching for that first win ahead of her 13th start, but has never raced better. Only run down in the last couple of strides at Muswellbrook, but will need all her customary early speed from a wide barrier. Resuming 3YO and former Qlder 3. Poet Lad has his first run for new local stable off two quiet trials; while watch the betting on 3YO 9. Levi's Storm who debuts for in-form local stable off some quiet trials, with the blinkers on.

Likely Tempo: Solid to Good

My Betting Attack: RANUNCULA to Win and trifecta 11,16/3,6,9,11,16/3,6,9,11,16

*Race 2 @ 2.20pm COOL BLUE ICE MAIDEN MAIDEN HCP (1200m) - Min Weight 55kg; Apprentices Can Claim:

Newcastle 4YO gelding 1. MEYISTI (Aaron Bullock; 59.5kg) from the Paul Perry stable can break through third-up. Resumed in that same maiden at Muswellbrook as Ranuncula before just missing after trailing the speed here. Form out of both races is rock-solid for this.

*MAIN DANGERS: Local 3YO 3. Hurn Court was good late behind a smart sprinter here second-up, and looks the main threat although will need to slot in from a wide gate; while Muswellbrook 4YO 9. Ringo's Charm stuck on bravely fourth-up at big odds in a handy maiden at home.

Likely Tempo: Solid

My Betting Attack: MEYISTI to Win

*Race 3 @ 2.55pm COREYS CATERING MAIDEN PLATE (1600m) - Set Weights; Apprentices Can Claim:

Still with the maidens, but out to the mile. Improving home track 4YO gelding 1. ANOTHER ARLI (Mitchell Bell; 59kg) from the Melissa Dennett yard has seemingly been handed a break-through race fourth-up over more ground from a softer draw. Has beaten all bar the winner in his last two, and this is a weak affair.

*MAIN DANGERS: Newcastle 4YO 6. Under The Pump was good late first-up at Muswellbrook over 1500m, and this looks a nice follow-up assignment, with a stronger rider aboard. Be shocked if the winner comes outside those two, but include Muswellbrook mare 9. Ellas Joy in exotics after holding her ground okay in that same race as Under The Pump.

Likely Tempo: Moderate to Fair

My Betting Attack: Quinella 1 and 6

*Race 4 @ 3.35pm THRIFTY CAR RENTAL BM 58 HCP (1600m) - Min Weight 55kg; Apprentices Can Claim:

A few chances in this one, and 5YO mare 5. SMART STYLE (Jeff Penza; 55kg) from the Dale Wagstaff stable at Muswellbrook looms as the value on a quick back-up. Worked home okay late at huge odds in a much stronger Highway at Rosehill before again doing her best work late behind a smart one at Scone. Hard fit, and can settle a little closer from a better draw, and was preferred here to Dubbo on Sunday.

*MAIN DANGERS: Tough Scone 4YO 1. Shame Warned controlled the race and fought off the challengers here last start to further enhance a very good record at this track. Loves this trip, but goes up 3kg to a hefty 61.5kg. Was also scratched from Dubbo. Home track 5YO 9. Capitulate was ridden much quieter last start, and hit the line late behind Shame Warned. Meets him 3kg better off this time. Cessnock mare 4. Maui Princess isn't far off breaking a long run of outs finding the line well in her last two, although this is tougher.

Likely Tempo: Moderate

My Betting Attack: SMART STYLE Each Way and Trifecta 1,5,9/1,5,9/1,4,5,9

*Race 5 @ 4.10pm JAMIESON CIVIL & EARTHMOVING CLASS 3 HCP (1400m) - Min Weight 55kg; Apprentices Can Claim:

Good race, with plenty of depth. Progressive 6YO Scone mare 8. PHILADORA (Greg Ryan; 55kg) from the in-form Rod Northam stable is ready for extra trip now after charging late to nail a promising sprinter in a BM 58 at home. Draws to get plenty of cover, and while this is a tougher test, drops a significant 3.5kg and senior rider goes on. Another one scratched from Dubbo to race here.

*MAIN DANGERS: Smart local 5YO 1. Ronan's Rock is the class runner, and has been freshened up after a dominant CL2 win at Coffs. Gets in well at the weights after rider's claim, although does prefer the sting out of the ground. Capable 6YO 4. Schappose was terrific from well back in a CL3 Highway at Rosehill, and has also been given plenty of time since. Will be forced back from a wide barrier but watch for him storming home late. Scone mare 6. Entreat is super consistent having won two of her last three and not missing a place in the last five, but takes on her toughest test. Well travelled Warwick Farm 6YO 7. Damit mixes his runs, but draws to get cover, and will appreciate firm footing.

Likely Tempo: Solid

My Betting Attack: PHILADORA Each Way and Trifecta 1,4,8/1,4,6,7,8/1,4,6,7,8

*Race 6 @ 4.45pm DUTTON ELECTRICAL CLASS 2 HCP (1200m) - Min Weight 55kg; Apprentices Can Claim:

This looks an ideal race second-up for improving local 4YO gelding and former Victorian 3. BRAVE ENOUGH (Dylan Gibbons a3kg; 59.5kg) from the Cody Morgan stable. Powered home late in a handy CL2 a fortnight back, and supremely weighted after the young rider's 3kg claim.

*MAIN DANGERS: Ex South Australian 4YO 2. Air Marshall flew home in a terrific debut run for the Mark Schmetzer yard at Scone. Extra trip is an obvious plus, but will go back from a wide gate so needs plenty of speed on up front. Watch the betting on resuming Mudgee 7YO 1. Epirus Bow who hasn't raced for more than two years, but has been given two trials.

Likely Tempo: Solid to Good

My Betting Attack: Brave Enough to win and Air Marshal Each Way

*Race 7 @ 5.20pm PEEL VALLEY TYRES OPEN HCP (1200m) - Min Weight 55kg; Apprentices Can Claim:

Strong sprint battle to finish. Scone 5YO gelding 7. DUBAI TYCOON (Mitchell Bell; 56.5kg) from the Brett Cavanough stable can go back-to-back over his best distance. Dropped back from a failure over the mile at Forbes to finish hard in a similar race here last start. Can settle a few lengths off the speed and charge over the top.

*MAIN DANGERS: Big interest in high class local 5YO and confirmed Kosciuszko runner 1. Ligulate who resumes off two forward trials, with the blinkers coming off and a 3kg claim. Will get right back, but watch for him flying late. Brilliant Tamworth Cup win in autumn. Newcastle 5YO 4. General Soho can go close third-up. Has been solid in two runs back against BM 72 metro opposition, and won his only previous start at this track. Newcastle 7YO 6. All From Scrap hasn't won for a long time, but hit the line late under a big weight at Scone in BM 78 grade, and loves dry ground.

Likely Tempo: Good

My Betting Attack: DUBAI TYCOON to Win & Quinella: 1 and 7

**My BEST BETS:

R2 1. MEYISTI* Expect: $2.75 - $3.00; My Early Rating: $2.00

R6 3. BRAVE ENOUGH** Expect: $2.35 - $2.60; My Early Rating: $1.95

**My BEST VALUE:

R1 11. RANUNCULA** Expect: $5.50 - $6.50; My Early Rating: $3.65

R4 5. SMART STYLE** Expect: $7.50 - $8.50; My Early Rating: $3.95

R5 8. PHILADORA* Expect: $6.50 - $7.50; My Early Rating: $4.10

**TRAINERS TO FOLLOW:

PAUL PERRY*

BRETT CAVANOUGH*

STEPHEN JONES*

CODY MORGAN*

**JOCKEYS TO FOLLOW:

MITCHELL BELL**

DYLAN GIBBONS**

AARON BULLOCK*