Race-by-race preview and tips for Taree on Friday
All you need to know to pick a winner or two from an eight-day meet on the NSW North Coast.
By John Schell
January 1, 2026 — 5.00pm
Selections based on a soft track
Race 1:
6. Sea Me Dance was down the track at Scone two starts ago but then bounced back in style to score a last start win at Quirindi on Boxing Day. She scored by a massive margin as favourite in that event and, while this is harder, she can repeat the dose in this small field. 7. Think I’m Irish was placed in three straight starts at Bong Bong, Muswellbrook and Tuncurry, before a last start seventh at Orange. She can lift on that effort in this. 3. Mellencamp has been midfield in his latest two starts at Scone and on the Beaumont track at Newcastle and looks set to show up here on his best form. 5. Tea Or Coffee has been just behind the placings of late and is not out of this.
How to play it: Sea Me Dance WIN.
Racing heads to Taree on Friday.
Race 2:
8. Fannoir is on debut and has had two trials in preparation. He won the first of them at Scone in April and the latest at Tamworth last month. This looks a nice race for him to kick off in. 1. Agent Max ran well on debut at Taree and should run well in this. 3. La Potenza has been placed in both of her starts to date and should be thereabouts again. 7. Euroka Abby is on debut and has had a solid trial. She warrants respect.
How to play it: Fannoir WIN.
Race 3:
10. Odaka has had two starts back from a spell for a third at Hawkesbury and a fourth on the Beaumont track at Newcastle. She has a solid record and should be hard to hold out. 11. Tetsu Belle was down the track when last produced but can lift on that. 5. Bellevue resumed from a spell with a fifth at Hawkesbury and should be ready to improve. 3. Maximum Ride has been racing well and can get into the minor money again here without surprising.
How to play it: Odaka WIN.
Race 4:
4. Speedy Target has a solid record with two wins and six placings from 18 starts. He’s been racing well with two seconds from his past two starts and only needs to run up to that to be hard to hold out. 3. Climate Control raced on the speed at Scone when last produced. 8. Kermitisapet was a last start winner at Taree in May. She’s had a recent trial and should be primed to run well.
How to play it: Speedy Target WIN.
Race 5:
1. Surpasser is a well-bred galloper that had a few trials before debuting with a fourth on the Beaumont track at Newcastle when beaten just over a couple of lengths. He should be set to go on with the job here. 4. Top Speed has had a couple of starts and should be primed to run well. 3. Lune D’excellence has been down on form of late but is more than capable of improving. 12. Tesorino ran well when last produced and is not out of this.
How to play it: Suprasser WB.
Race 6:
1. Etoile Filante had solid form and was just behind the placings before being spelled. He’s had four starts since resuming and ran well as a last start third on the Beaumont track at Newcastle. If he can run up to that effort, he should be hard to hold out. 3. Lord Vettori has been racing well with a strong win at Grafton two starts ago before a last start second at Beaumont when hitting the line well as favourite. 2. Star Prediction was midfield in a Highway when last produced and needs to run up to that to be hard to hold out. 6. Herman Said has a handy record and is not out of this.
How to play it: Etoile Filante WIN.
Race 7:
6. Mission Bravo was a strong winner at Taree three starts ago and was then third at Tuncurry. He was down the track at Warwick Farm when last produced but can improve. 5. Think We’re There has been disappointing of late but can improve. 3. Monty Be Quick ran well when placed at Hawkesbury when last produced and should be thereabouts. 1. Full Press is rarely too far away and can get into the minor money here.
How to play it: Mission Bravo EACH WAY.
Race 8:
6. Antilocapra is resuming from a spell but had solid form before the break including a narrow Gunnedah win and a close second behind subsequent city winner Super Norwest in a Highway at Rosehill. She only has to return to that form to be the one to beat. 3. Speedy Henry was a winner at Bathurst in June and then resumed with a fourth at Gosford last month. He is set to run well. 2. Navy Steel was a Muswellbrook winner before finishing midfield in a Randwick Highway and has claims, while 11. Zelestial is resuming and looks set to sprint well fresh.
How to play it: Antilocapra WIN.
Best Bets: Race 5 (1) Surpasser; Race 8 (6) Antilocapra.
Best Value: Race 7 (6) Mission Bravo.
_Supplied by Racing NSW
_Full form and race replays available at** racingnsw.com.au**