Race-by-race preview and tips for Friday’s meeting at Lismore

Selections based on a soft track.

Race 1

1. Dundee Tales had finished second in a couple of starts at Taree and Grafton before being ridden quietly at Grafton last time out and coming with a well-timed run to break his maiden. He shows some ability and looks capable of going in with the job in this. 2. Jimmy Nails was just worse than midfield at Grafton two starts ago, then followed that up with a third at Beaudesert when on the speed throughout. This is not out of his reach. 5. Rock The Machine has been placed in each of his past three starts and can easily get into the minor money again with a repeat, while 9. Shine Like It Does was midfield at Grafton before a last-start third at the same track, and she warrants respect.
How to play it: Dundee Tales each way.

Race 2

2. Sherriff Cody is a consistent performer that followed two placings at Grafton with another two minor placings at Coffs Harbour and Murwillumbah. He is racing well and should take a power of beating in this. 1. Chassagne resumed from a spell with a fast-finishing fifth at Doomben and steps up quickly in distance. 5. Caracoron won well at Murwillumbuh two starts back when accounting for Sherriff Cody and looms as a chance if he can run up to that. 7. Spill The Secret was placed behind Caracoron at Murwillumbah and comes into this after a third at this track.
How to play it: Sherriff Cody each way.

Race 3

5. Warrior Bae is lightly raced with four starts to his name and has not been disgraced in two runs from a spell, finishing sixth in the latest at Grafton. This looks a nice race for him. 2. Icewater ran home well enough when fifth at this track at its latest start and warrants thought, while 7. Kemal comes into this after a last-start fourth at Coffs Harbour and is far from the worst. 1. Cassini has been improving of late and can run a forward race.
How to play it: Warrior Bae to win.

Race 4

1. Maximum Vortex is a classy sprinter returning from a let-up here having failed in the much tougher Ramornie Handicap at Grafton in July. He’s won a trial at this track in preparation for this and has won seven of 24 starts. He has the class to win this. 2. King Of Naples resumed from a spell for a new stable with a solid second at the Gold Coast. He has the talent to show up again here. 3. The Astronomer ran third in the same race as King Of Naples at the Gold Coast and warrants thought again. 4. Skywolf has a solid record and wasn’t far away when a last-start third at Coffs Harbour.
How to play it: Maximum Vortex to win.