A fourth galloper, three-year-old gelding Top Striker, was nominated from the stable to travel north but it will be left home as it won at Nowra on Monday in one of two winners for Costin.

Hickman travelled to Taree for a meeting about nine months ago but left without a winner, a hiccup he hopes to rectify this time with three good chances.

They are three-year-old in good form gelding Centro Superior, four-year-old mare Be Bitten and three-year-old gelding Braces which has won and not been further back than third in its five runs this campaign.

Braces is in one of the most competitive races on the card, the Taree Cup Weekend August 21 and 23 3YO Country Plate over 1412m.

The gelding won at Goulburn, was runner-up at Nowra and then over 1300m was beaten a neck at Hawkesbury on June 7.

"He has been knocking on the door for a win and the distance will suit," Hickman said.

In the same race,three-year-old gelding Chalcedony, trained on the track by Matthew Robinson, has won three of its past four starts and is on trial for a provincial start in an effort to get some weight relief.

It resumed from a slight let-up, after two wins were followed by an 11th at Grafton and had a half-length to spare on the line at this track.

Under the conditions of this race, the gelding rises 6.5kgs but again should be in the mix after scoring over 1311m on the heavy track on June 5.

Three-year-old Gosford filly Element Of Luck, trained by Fred Cowell, won easily here last start, Wyong three-year-old filly Lady Marmaletta, trained by Rebecca Dunn, has won two of its past three starts and Broadmeadow gelding Kooroc, trained by Kris Lees, all add to the depth of this race.

ENTRO Superior has to give weight and a wide barrier to all its rivals in the Taree Cup Prelude on August 11 CG&E Class 1 Handicap over 1312m at tomorrow’s Taree-Wingham races but after a win at Nowra in March and a close second at Gosford it has its chance.

Trainer Greg Hickman is hoping that the track will be reasonable for the gelding to do its best.

Braces is up against an even field in the New Membership Year 4YO+ Maiden Plate over 1412m and gets its chance to break through for a win.

One of the hardest to beat could be four-year-old Taree gelding Timing’s Essential, trained by Ross Stitt, which was forced wide on the turn before a third to Broadmeadow filly Galizia over 1400m at this track on May 25. The gelding was an acceptor for Wauchope Jockey Club’s TAB meeting at Kempsey on Sunday but was scratched in preference for here.

“At his last two runs provincial horses have beaten him,” Stitt said.

He will also be hoping for a better run from Curragh Cailin, to be ridden by apprentice Kaylee Kirkwood and her claim should help the not so big galloper in the Winning Post Function Centre F & M Handicap over 1007m.

Also a big hope in that race is Kempsey three-year-old filly Pomme Petite, trained by Barry Ratcliff, she having won and then was a good second at Grafton.

“She has pulled up really well and I think she will be very competitive,” Ratcliff said.

He also has a strong hope in five-year-old Galaxy Dane in the Prime7 News CG & E Benchmark 55 Handicap over 1007m.

Ratcliff bought the gelding for $3300 in Melbourne and since it has had three wins and six placings.

“It beat a good field last start and hasn’t missed a beat.”

Doug Ryan’s selections

Race 1: Braces 1, Element Of Luck 2, Chalcedony 3.

Race 2: Timing’s Essential 1, Be Bitten 2, Rio De Janeira 3.

Race 3: Mykonos 1, Bea Johnny 2, Queen Of Oz 3.

Race 4: Galaxy Dane 1, Akamin 2, Three Pyramids 3.

Race 5: Ellacey 1, Pomme Petite 2, Curragh Cailin 3.

Race 6: Centro Superior 1, Zoot Suit Riot 2, Ship Harbour 3.

Race 7: Rushall 1, Naoko 2, Yamba’s Dream 3.