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By Graeme White

It’s double the prizemoney and expectations are also bubbling over regarding the favourite Minniti ($2.90 on TAB) in the $40,000 Peel Valley Tyres Showcase Maiden (1000m) at Tamworth on Friday.

Standard country maidens are worth $22,000 following a recent increase, but the rich purse against country-only trained horses has Minniti’s trainer Sam Kavanagh hopeful of a breakthrough.

Sam Kavanagh leads out Minniti (Andrew Gibbons) at Muswellbrook. Image by Bradley Photographers

Minniti, a daughter of super sire Redoute’s Choice, has raced four times for as many placings with three seconds and a third.

The proof of her record isn’t only in her placings, but the calibre of horses she has been racing against.

The three-year-old’s credentials are exactly what you need going into the feature race on the program although many other maiden horses loom as serious threats.

Minniti is owned by Gerry Harvey who would be keen to claim the feature race.

Lord Bronn ($9.50) for trainer Brett Cavanough has race experience and solid form with seven placings from 10 starts.

He finished third, Minniti was second, at his latest start at Scone behind Tornado Light.

It’s that form which Kavanagh hopes will hold firm for Minniti.

“It’s a country maiden race worth higher prizemoney than normal and the form around her is solid,” he said.

“She was beaten by Miss Jay Fox which has now won three races and finished third in Sydney and also Big Happiness which has won three straight.

“Getting her back against country-only horses is also an advantage instead of taking on Provincial trained horses with form.”

Minniti has drawn a wide in gate 11 with jockey Aaron Bullock to ride 1kg overweight at 58kg. Bullock has been aboard in two of Minniti’s four starts.

“She has drawn out a bit, but this looks an easier race than what she has been facing,” Kavanagh suggested.

The 35-year-old has plenty of reasons for wanting to win the big one at Tamworth.

“It’s not often you get these country-only races for good prizemoney and Mr Harvey has been a good supporter of mine and I would like to win the race for him,” he said.

“I have had five or six runners at Tamworth for a couple of winners and is a very good race that held the Country Championships this year.”

Gilded Crown ($8) is resuming from a spell for trainer Mark Schmetzer and is rated among the main chances, while Arcane Energy ($10) and Outback Pat ($5) for trainer Cody Morgan also have strong prospects.

While she has the form on her side to win, Minniti won’t find it easy with several up-and-coming gallopers against her.

View the final fields with full form & race replays for Tamworth here