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The rail is out 4m the entire and with fine weather all week the track presents as a Good 4. A tidy program with a number of Sydney gallopers engaged. The late market will be particularly instructive in a few races. The Federal is (again) a very competitive race.

Race 1 (1600m) CL1

Gaelic can run them along over the mile from Dance Too Hard. GAELIC (2) led at Newcastle first-up well in the market and pulled up with an issue. Last preparation he won a city Maiden on debut and then was a well-bet favourite finishing close up here in the 65. He's back after 17 days and fitter rates to win at the mile controlling the race. DANCE TOO HARD (4) ran his best race winning the Maiden here at the last meeting. She enjoyed the dryer surface and the extra 200m won't bother. She will push forward and get every chance to repeat. MOHAHNA (8) was very disappointing in the same race without any obvious excuses. The in-form McDougall goes on and expect him to go better today first time at this trip. MY EMPIRE (3) peaks off the near-miss at Queanbeyan and Ward is off the above to stick. He hasn't won for a long while but is a genuine contender in this line-up. BET: Gaelic should be on-song and is hard to go past.

Race 2 (1400m) BM60

Alpine King may lead Eaglehawk at a steady tempo. TEMOIN CHAUD (4) resumed in much stronger at Randwick and had no chance after and awkward start and a wide run. He was in the market and she can bounce and win back home with McDougall taking the ride. EAGLEHAWK (1) just missed from the pace resuming at Queanbeyan as favourite and has more up the sleeve. May need it longer now but goes second-up and is a player. TRAPPER TOM (5) finished well to beat the above in that contest and has found a new lease on life. He draws to advantage and will get every chance to repeat. GOODRADIGBEE (6) will appreciate longer but resumed in good order and has more to give. The small claim remains handy. STILTON (2) is a Kiwi resuming for the Beer yard and keep a close eye on the market with him. BET: Keen on Temoin Chaud who's promising.

Race 3 (2000m) BM65

Havaduel and Appetising may be the pair to make the pace. HAVADUEL (3) runs along and seeks the hat-trick off strong staying efforts. Finds a bit easier and rates to win again despite the weight rise. The form hoop sticking is a plus. POWER LIFT (4) rates well off two close-up efforts at Kembla Grange at the mile. He's on a 6-day return and expect the middle distance to suit. TREASURE THE LOVE (9) came off a solid city effort to win the CL1 here two weeks ago. That stacks up and she will get every chance again from the low gate. HILLTOP HOOD (6) finished well from the back beaten 1.8L behind Havaduel at Moruya and will give his all again. BET: Expecting Havaduel to keep things rolling.

Race 4 (1000m) Maiden

Wholesome Delight can lead from Em Cee Gee. AEROBATIC WARRIOR (6) is Sydney-trained and has looked very sharp in three Randwick trials. They've found McDougall and the expect the gelding to take plenty of beating. WHOLESOME DELIGHT (13) also debuts for a strong Sydney yard owning a Gosford trial win. She draws to control the race and will be well-prepared. Feared. INDIGNANT (9) was beaten 1.6L here a month ago on a heavy track making a ratings spike. He has to be genuinely considered with the extra fitness. MIMESIS (4) is ex Waller resuming after 160 days for the Sergi yard with the blinkers on first time. Gets a wide gate but the debut run in December reads well for this and keep a close eye on the late market. ALRILLO (2) resumes and go on the strong Newcastle effort two-back.  Gets a sticky gate but could be the one to surprise. BET: Leaning to Aerobatic Warrior each way. The late market will tell plenty in this race.

Race 5 (1300m) Maiden

Sabor and Maccomo will be prominent from the jump. MACCOMO (1) returned to racing much improved missing a half-length at Wyong in stronger than this. McDougall goes on and fitter the Joe Pride-trained gelding sets a decent standard. SABOR (11) won a trial but disappointed on debut and was immediately spelled. She presents here off a 2.3L Gosford trial win and looks ready to rumble for the sharp Sydney yard. GENERAL DUBAI (9) didn't have the best of it on debut and has looked the part in his two trials leading into today's resumption. Gets Jay Ford and a soft run from the rail and has to be kept very safe at a price. The early market suggests ARCTIC THUNDER (12) will be very competitive on debut for the Portelli yard and draws to advantage. BET: Maccomo with the race fitness and experience should be winning.

Race 6 (1000m) BM60

Expecting Olifants, Verdi and Mad As Zariz to run along and set a good tempo. VERDI (6) resumes off sharp trials and is right up to this. Has been away for a while but will ride the speed from the rail and is the one to beat.  LOOSE WIRE (7) improved each run last campaign and is a first up winner. She has the speed to manage the wide gate and McDougall's booking suggests she's pleasing and ready to go. REVOLVER (1) resumes in easier grade and has won twice fresh. He also gets a sticky gate but his best is good enough. MAD AS ZARIZ (4) has won and placed both runs back and is an improved galloper. He will ride the speed and fitter is a contender. BET: Verdi wins if on-song.

Race 7 (1200m) BM70 Federal

Elegant Ellen can run them along setting a good tempo. This is wide open. CONCRETE (5) looked very sharp missing a lip here this grade on resumption racing handy. He has more to offer and gets McDougall today and we would have had choices. The extra 200m won't bother and he's the starting point. ONS VIER (7) impressed first-up in the same race just beaten. She gets a tricky gate but has won 2/3 second-up and this is her chance to return to the winners stall. OUR FINVARRA (13) was the other close-up in the same contest and he had a tough run. Penza sticks. ROYAL MONARCH (10) is up plenty in grade but deserved the Gundagai win and his figure stacks right up. Draws well and gets weight relief. The #11 and #14 also have claims. BET: Leaning to Concrete at the each way quote. Wide the multiples.

Race 8 (1200m) CL1

Hot early with She's All In, Tiz War Bro and Blazing Mac all prominent. BLAZING MAC (5) will push forward and has placed both runs back rating well for this. She's likely to appreciate a dryer track and has more to give. Sydney-trained and with the best of the competition scratched is clearly the one to beat. DIFFERENT TIME (6) has disappointed the last two but the local won here three-back on the heavy and is lightly-raced. No surprise if we see a bounce back on the 7-day turnaround. BUTCH'N'BUGS (3) has trialled for the return and two-back was a comfortable Wyong Maiden winner. He will have come on and needs to be kept safe. SHE'S ALL IN (10) resumed in good order and is good second-up. She's well in the mix. GLOBALIZE (8) is an improver who won't be far away. BET: Blazing Mac is the bet.