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By Neil Evans

Track Heavy 8 and rail out 4m from 100m to 350m into a cut/away and True the remainder

We start the Showcase meeting on yet another rain-hit surface over the short course, and there are plenty of chances. Improving local filly 10. Wandjina Rose can strike second-up. Failed here as a hot favorite 18 days back, and despite the wide draw she's bred to thrive in heavy ground.

Dangers: Big watch on Pride Of Dubai filly 8. Acey who debuts from a low draw behind two progressive trials; while 1. Pressita goes up sharply in weight second-up, but much better suited in this field after dropping out in a tougher metro contest.

How to play it: Wandjina Rose to win. Odds and Evens: Evens

Progressive four-year-old 1. Royal Exit is the one to beat here second-up, although has also been accepted for a later race. Flew home when resuming to beat a handy CL1 field at Scone, and has superior wet track credentials.

Dangers: Local three-year-old 3. Hauraki Gulf has plenty of ability in and around this grade, although a little query in heavy going. Was a dominant maiden winner two starts back before only collared late in a good quality CL1 at Grafton. Ultra consistent home track mare 10. Cotton Caper has returned in great order this prep, dominant in heavy ground here last start. This is a bit tougher, but she loves it wet. Gap to the rest headed by local mare 4. Just Cosmos who goes in exotic plays.

How to play it: Royal Exit to win. Odds and Evens: Split

Good testing slog over this journey. Like six-year-old 2. Flying Mojo who can go back-to-back fifth-up. Charged home to win a BM 74 over the mile on a firm track last start, but just as effective over this distance, and in heavy ground.

Dangers: Local five-year-old 5. Italian Tune is another genuine performer and dominant heavy track winner two runs back, although taking on some better ones here; while 3. Schoona The Better is a heavy track winner, and gets in well at the weights fifth-up after the junior rider's 3kg claim.

How to play it: Flying Mojo to win. Odds and Evens: Split

Back in trip for similar graded horses, and very keen at the value with lightly raced home track five-year-old 3. Havieron fourth-up. Has worked home nicely under similar weights in two runs since winning his maiden, and this is a drop in class.

Dangers: Keep very safe improving five-year-old 5. Racketeering who has been competitive in deeper races, and blinkers have been added. Gap to the rest.

How to play it: Havieron to win and quinella 3 and 5. Odds and Evens: Odds

Another contest where there's potentially little separating a few, although two runners have the call. Underrated Kempsey mare 13. Markievicz is primed to break through fourth-up at her 12th attempt. Has charged home from well back into a place last two in soft ground, and getting on to a track with a much longer straight, she can get to the outside and power over the top.

Dangers: Progressive three-year-old 6. Hettinger was a bit stiff in his first run for the Kris Lees stable off an eight week break, working clear of the pack and making up plenty of late ground into a place. Also better suited over this trip on a bigger circuit. Gap to the rest headed by 4. Seaczar who gets winkers added second-up.

How to play it: Markievicz to win and quinella 6 and 13. Odds and Evens: Split

Back to the sprint trip in a Heat of the Rising Star. Keen on well-bred Shalaa filly 6. Phule who resumes for only her second start for the leafing provincial yard. Finished best to win her maiden back in late July, and two progressive trials suggests she's ready to return with a bang,

Dangers: Honest three-year-old 4. Offyarocatwo has been less than half a length from the winner in his last three, and has been given six weeks between runs to off-set the drop back in distance; while watching the market on 3. Bonchevo first-up for a good home stable.

How to play it: Phule to win. Odds and Evens: Evens

Another open battle with several hopes, especially if the track is still well inside heavy range. Home track four-year-old 2. Endangered Species is well placed to make it two straight deep into his prep. Swept home for an impressive CL2 win at Lismore 13 days ago has beaten all bar the winner in four previous runs on heavy tracks.

Dangers: Tough and honest local four-year-old 1. Luz Long hit the line nicely in deeper grade second-up, but the inside draw under 58kg does him no favors here. Keep safe seven-year-old mare 6. Crazeelil who beat the top selection here nearly three weeks back, and saves her best for heavy ground; while include 7. Anatolian Charm both go in wider exotics.

How to play it: Endangered Species to win. Odds and Evens: Split

We save the toughest and widest race for last, with any number of chances. Expecting big improvement second-up from four-year-old 1. Tears Of Effort who chased home a smart winner in his first run for five months, and top metro jockey makes the trip north to ride.

Dangers: Keep safe too improving local four-year-old 6. Imprinted who rushed home to win his maiden first-up since being transferred from Victoria; while three-year-old filly 12. Little Prophet is a knock-out chance rising in distance third-up.

How to play it: Tears Of Effort to win. Odds and Evens: Split

BEST BETS:
R2 1. ROYAL EXIT
R6 6. PHULE

BEST VALUE:
R7 2. ENDANGERED SPECIES

All the fields, form and replays for Thursday's Coffs Harbour meeting