Race-by-race preview and tips for Taree on Friday

1 month ago 6

By John Schell

October 16, 2025 — 4.50pm

Selections based on a soft track.

Race 1

2. Recovery Road showed a return to form when placed at Coonamble at his latest run when finding the line well. He can bounce back to winning form in this. 6. The Bentley failed to fire at Wyong before a last-start midfield Port Macquarie effort. This looks within his reach. 9. Queen Tavane ran well when a last-start fourth at Warwick Farm and only needs to run up to that to be difficult to hold out here. 7. Think Of One was placed at Wyong and Grafton before a last-start fifth at Kembla Grange when not beaten too far.
How to play it: Recovery Road to win.

Race 2

3. Deebee’s Girl is resuming from a spell on the back of a placing in a Beaudesert trial. She was placed at Murwillumbah in February and is set to sprint well fresh here. 8. Varazze was placed at Muswellbrook when last produced and has been in the minor money in four of nine starts. 6. She’s A Wild One ran home well when placed at Port Macquarie last time out and has claims again. 1. Redford River is on debut after two trials and has the services of Aaron Bullock.
How to play it: Deebee’s Girl each way.

Race 3

3. The Escape has a solid record having missed a place just the once in nine starts. He was placed at Randwick before being spelled and resumed here after two trials. He is primed for a winning return. 7. Floss’s One was a Taree winner three starts ago and has since finished sixth in two Port Macquarie starts. She can bounce back in this. 6. Super Impressive is a five-time winner from 15 starts and was close up when resuming from a spell with a fourth at Port Macquarie. 1. Gold Card ran well when placed at Gosford two starts ago, then failed at Wyong. Expect a better showing in this.
How to play it: The Escape to win.

Race 4

5. Bantarki looked good when resuming with a win at Port Macquarie and then backed that up with a third at the same track when last produced. This looks a suitable assignment. 3. Zaru is fresh for this after following a win at Taree with placings at Grafton and Muswellbrook. He’s been kept up to the mark with a recent trial. 1. Jumeirah Beach is resuming from a spell after two trials and hasn’t raced since being beaten just over 3.5 lengths in a Midway at Randwick. 8. Savoca has won two in a row, at Tamworth and Tuncurry, and warrants respect again.
How to play it: Bantarki to win.

Race 5

13. Prize Witness had two trials before making her debut with a sixth at Newcastle. She should have derived benefit from that experience and a bold showing is expected in this. 14. Talk About Layla finished a solid second at Taree when produced for her debut effort and a repeat of that would have her difficult to hold out here. 8. Devoted To You was placed at Tuncurry before a midfield effort at Taree and warrants respect, while 1. Carmine has been placed in both starts to date and should be prominent again.
How to play it: Prize Witness to win.

Race 6

2. Barazin won well at Coffs Harbour four starts ago and comes into this on the back of a last-start third at Doomben, which followed a couple of close-up city efforts. He looks well placed in this. 1. Imperialist is classy at best and won the Rough Habit Plate last campaign before a fifth in the Queensland Derby. He resumed with a solid effort at Randwick. 5. Forecaster ran well when a last-start second at Port Macquarie and can be in the placings again, while 4. Casino Bear ran sixth in the Port Macquarie Cup last time out and can be thereabouts.
How to play it: Barazin to win.

Race 7

1. Auzstar had been racing well with a string of placings before breaking through again with a strong Port Macquarie win over Forecaster. He can go on with the job here. 3. Ancient Egypt won well at Gunnedah when last produced and looms as a chance again with a repeat of that. 11. Spiritly followed a Taree win with a strong-finishing last-start third at Port Macquarie and looms as a chance again. 5. Scotland has been racing well and can give cheek again.
How to play: Auzstar to win.

Race 8

1. De Forza followed some good form with a sound win at Coffs Harbour two starts ago and has since ran well again when fourth at Ballina. This looks a suitable race for him. 5. Dizzy Dee was a Grafton winner two starts ago and has the talent to give this a shake. 7. Highly Tempted has a string of recent placings to his name and should figure prominently again, while 9. Launch Sequence has not been disgraced in recent outings and shouldn’t be too far away.
How to play it: De Forza to win.