The action heads to Taree on Friday, with an eight race card giving punters a taste of what's to come in the lead up to the Taree Cup this Sunday.
The track is currently rated a Soft 5 and with sunshine forecast for the NSW mid-north coast town, expect a Good surface come race one.
The rail is in the True position, which generally favours those horses on-pace.
From the stewards
There are several horses who have featured heavily in the pre-steward's report for this meeting.
The one I want to mention is Holy Reign running around in race 7.
The Manhattan Rain gelding won well last start, but had to do it the hard way. He was slow to begin which immediately put him on the back foot, as he had to race against his usual racing pattern.
He then had to be directed off heels around the 200m mark, in order to find clean air.
Providing he jumps with the field today, expect him to follow Danzibar Dancer into the race and prove mighty hard to hold out.
Josh has tipped 6 winners from his last 9 selections!
He's identified 3-races on today's card that represent good betting opportunities. Below is his best bet on the card as well as his quaddie numbers.
For today's full tip package and runner comments, click here.
The Star Witness gelding will look to improve from his last start fourth at this track.
He started off well in that clash and sat in an ideal position, but looked to knock up a little late in the piece.
A combination of jockey inexperience, the heavy surface and a lack of fitness all contributed to the gelding's downfall.
He gets the chance to redeem himself here, in what is a very winnable race.
The return to a Good surface is a big positive (3:1-2-0) and the step back from a benchmark 58 to class 1 could prove the winning formula.
From the inside draw, look for Dylan Gibbons to get the gelding into a similar position as last start and peel off them around the corner.
With his improved fitness, expect him to be right there when the whips are cracking.
Race 5: 2
Race 6: 1, 3, 5, 6
Race 7: 1, 3, 4, 6, 11
Race 8: 1, 3, 7