Race-by-race preview and tips for Port Macquarie on Sunday

Selections based on a good track.

Race 1

1. Rodeo Dealer has an ideal set-up to perform on the back of a handy resumption at Newcastle where he settled back and hit the line nicely over 900m. Did start big odds there but finds a much easier task, draws well and extra group suits. Hard to beat. 7. Perasta resumed with a solid third over this course in early January then raced closer and weakened up to 1300m at Newcastle. Forgive that performance and he’s one of the main hopes. 4. Our Emily is on debut and has trialled quite well in small fields at provincial tracks. Has found a nice race to kick off in.

How to play it: Rodeo Dealer WIN.

Racing returns to Port Macquarie on Monday with an eight-race card.Credit: Getty

Race 2

1. Wannawinwin might be jumping sharply in trip but she’s much better suited to it after simply finding it too short fresh in the Queen Of The North. Gives away weight but this is a big class drop and she can be competitive. 3. Spills has raced into form with a Murwillumbah placing followed by a tough on pace win at Walcha last week. This is his distance range and he’s one of the main hopes. 4. Yorikiri has been around the mark without winning of.

How to play it: Wannawinwin EACH-WAY.

Race 3

11. Battle Reign had a little support on debut and held her ground in running fourth at 1006m. Sure to be better for that and the extra ground should be in her favour. Has the platform to improve and be in the finish. 1. Kid Billy has had a few chances but if you forgive last start at Grafton he’s a good chance. Game in defeat when runner-up at Coffs Harbour prior to that and could bounce back. 7. Casebolt is an interesting runner resuming without a public trial and with blinkers on. Both career placings have been first-up.

How to play it: Battle Reign EACH-WAY.

Race 4

1. Debussy will appreciate a class drop on recent assignments and he was far from disgraced when a close-up third at Grafton a couple of weeks ago at this trip. Should run well. 2. Heir Apparent was racing in great heart prior to a failure here in late December where he had excuses after racing wide. Freshened up and only has to recapture previous form to be in the finish. 3. Procrastinator was too speedy for them around the tight Bowraville course about six weeks ago, leading all the way. Has to be considered.

How to play it: Debussy WIN.

Race 5

3. Kosuke has the most upside with just six starts under his belt and he didn’t disgrace at Group 3 level before a spell. Hard to assess his two trials but kicks off at a suitable distance and the right grade so he should be competitive. 10. Meghan was only fair at Taree two weeks ago but has run well in both starts at this track including a close up second two runs ago. Gets another chance. 5. Monte Maximus hasn’t been a factor in two runs back but strikes a race with less depth. Won at Hawkesbury back in May so if he finds that sort of form he can feature.

How to play it: Kosuke WIN.

Race 6

9. Monte Tiana is bursting to win a race and was closing when beaten a length at Grafton third-up for the new stable. At peak now, distance suits and draw gives her plenty of options. 8. Magic Shannon is a 22-start maiden but has placed in 10 of them, including three of her last four, so she’s racing well enough. Not far from Monte Tiana at Grafton and has to be considered. 14. Hell Of A Fox led them up at Tamworth third-up and just weakened late. Will have to push forward from the wide gate.

How to play it: Monte Tiana WIN.

Race 7

1. Sumo Fish has been a revelation, winning three on end in dynamic style. It was a dead-heat win first-up at this track but it was short of his best trip and was finishing hard. Should relish a strong tempo, and if he’s within striking range on the turn should take holding out. 6. Bodhi Boy is promising and brings three wins from as many starts into his toughest test. Handled a drop in distance second-up and absorbed pressure before kicking away. Will need a bit of luck from the draw to slot in but hard to fault. 9. Laizabout is another up-and-comer who got a long way back but found the line powerfully into third behind Bodhi Boy. The extra trip will be a plus.

How to play it: Sumo Fish EACH-WAY.

Race 8

3. Sigsworth ran a nice race here two starts back in a BM66, then up in class and wasn’t disgraced at Taree beaten under three lengths. Big drop in grade, drawn well and he’s entitled to be in the finish with even luck. 1. Toomuchinformation is usually thereabouts and just weakened late when fourth here almost a month ago after racing handy. Gets a 4kg claim for in-form apprentice. 6. Taking The Mikki has been in the finish in all four starts at this track and resumes with one trial under his belt. Tends to need a run but can be competitive back in class.

How to play it: Sigsworth WIN.

Supplied by Racing NSW

Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au