The Michael Byers-trained four-year-old resumes racing in the Taree Racing On 6 January Benchmark 55 Handicap over 1000m and is bound to be one of the favourites.

Her racing career was delayed by a throat operation but her first test was passed with flying colours with a win on her home track.

She again won at home before finishing seventh in a race at Wyong.

"She was a tired horse at Wyong and the run can be forgiven," Byers said.

Sheza Gypsy has been in work for 10-12 weeks and according to the trainer is "ready to hit her straps".

"Because of the throat operation, I have taken her comeback work along nice and easy.

"She hasn't grown but is probably more solid since the spell.

"She has always been a compact horse but she looks a picture and her work has been encouraging."

Byers said he had engaged Coffs Harbour jockey Raymond Spokes to take the mount as he was on her for the first win.

Depending on how she goes, he said The Championships could be in the picture.

"I am looking at the class five race over 1200m at Port Macquarie as a lead to The Championships.

"If she wins on Sunday, I will probably have to take her to the provincials or the city."

Sheza Gypsy meets a pretty handy field of recent winners and placegetters.

One that is very fit and won with something in hand here on December 9 for Wyong trainer Allan Denham and Cessnock jockey Robert Thompson is three-year-old gelding Magic Topaze.

It was backed from even-money with bookmakers to 7-4on and was in the leading division all the way to score by just under a length.

"The horse has ability and since removing the blinkers he has been more settled,'' Denham said.

"When the blinkers were on he was flighty but this time he was settled in the enclosure and Robert kept him balanced in the run.

"A couple of runs ago he would give it in."

Denham said the first foal from Magic Topaze's mother, Dark Topaze, was a winner and she since has had a date with prolific sire Magic Albert.

Others in play are Gosford four-year-old mare Emma Jean, trained by Kylie Gavenlock and four-year-old Taree gelding Vargo from the stable of Cliff Bashford.

Emma Jean won at Port Macquarie first-up from a spell and then was a handy third to Star Of Legs here on December 1 and has been given plenty of time to find another suitable race.

Bashford just missed when Vargo was beaten a head by promising Casino Swoop here on December 9 after coming from well back with a flashy run to suggest the expected pace on early here could be beneficial.

The Hydrahose Summer Cup Benchmark 70 Handicap over 1250m.

Nine-year-old gelding Dane's Bullet, trained at the track by Matthew Robinson, expected to be a good each-way bet at its second run back from a spell.

It resumed for fifth to Esgrimidor which accepted for Sydney on Saturday before being scratched, that being over 1000m and the extra distance could suit as it has four wins and the journey, two at the track.

The gelding may be aged but keeps winning a race every season, its tally being 12 wins and 20 placings from 73 starts for prizemoney just over $144,000.

Seven-year-old Scone mare In Top Gear won two in a row recently for Scone mentor Luke Griffith, Broadmeadow's Higashi deserves a win after four placings for trainer Paul Perry and Royal Lover has won two of its past three starts for trainer Anthony Honess.

Robinson's Fun With Indy in the Saxby's Ginger Beer Class 3 Handicap over 1300m is drawn to get all the favours after an unlucky fourth here last start.

Meanwhile the club will have a Young Fashions of the Field event for 5 to 14-year-olds. This is to get young racegoers to wear Christmas themed outfits. It is sponsored by Hydrahose with prizes from Taree Tenpin.

Doug Ryan's selections:

Race 1: Archibald 1, Shower Of Hearts 2, Element Of Luck 3.

Race 2: Testalina 1, Il Dominatore 2, Desert Land 3.

Race 3: Invincible Eagle 1, Nanyuki 2, Miss Tripod 3.

Race 4: Dane's Bullet 1, On Top Gear 2, Royal Lover 3.

Race 5: Tenebrae 1, Battalion 2, Crocea 3.

Race 6: Electric Power 1, Tainted Love 2, Fun With Indy 3.

RACE 7: Sheza Gypsy 1,Magic Topaze 2, Vargo 3.