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By Neil Evans

Track likely improving Soft 5 and rail out 2.5m from 950m to 300m; 1.5m to the WP & True the remainder:

We start the Showcase meeting with the youngsters in what looms as a two stable battle. Like progressive 1. Golden Decade who is one of three Matthew Dunn-trained runners accepted, and comes back a little in trip three weeks after a barrier-to-box win at Ipswich in his third start. Drawn nearer the outside here, but proved in two runs prior, he can settle well off speed and still hit the line with gusto.

Dangers: Improving filly 3. Gerety can hit back hard third-up on firmer ground in her first full prep for the Kris Lees yard after disappointing as a hot favourite at Murwillumbah, and the stablemate filly has come out. Metro-based 2. Smart Recognition drops back from a smarter race third-up.

How to play it: Golden Decade to win
Odds and Evens: Odds

Tricky affair here over further, but shapes nicely for underrated Coffs three-year-old 3. My Mate Cobber who can strike third-up. Was consistently in the placings in handy country and provincial company last prep before spelling, and has picked up where he left off this campaign, working home okay in a deeper maiden at Scone on Cup day. Draws to get handy cover, and the extra 100m is a further plus.

Dangers: Must keep safe improving 1. Cenotes third-up after charging home late in a handy country form maiden when well in the market. Watch the betting on UK-sired three-year-old 2. Do It For You who debuts as a gelding behind two easy trials. Both 6. Cuisenaire deep into the prep; and 9. Kaytee Reinado placed in two of his last three; are drawn wide, but can run into the minor money.

How to play it: My Mate Cobber to win
Odds and Evens: Odds

The restricted stayers get their chance now, and confident talented filly 3. Fireflies can pounce here with gear changes, and coming back significantly in class. Won two straight around the region before unlucky when charging home late in a CL2 over the border. Finished back in the pack in much deeper BM 72 metro grade 23 days ago, and winkers coming off now for this longer journey and weaker class is a key move.

Dangers: Honest 1. Sheriff Cody peaks third-up in a lesser grade over a longer trip. Over the odds is 4. I'mtimmyzou hard fit and getting much-needed weight relief; while 2. Chief Command off a first-up win in a weaker race; 8. Rahaan who rolls forward from a nice draw; and 12. Paddy's Van who also draws to get a soft run; all go into trifecta and first four plays.

How to play it: Fireflies to win
Odds and Evens: Split

Plenty of chances here in another big field, but keen to back emerging and lightly raced Sebring filly 14. Smooth Torque at the value second-up. Made up plenty of ground from the back resuming over the border at Beaudesert, and while again forced to settle back, will appreciate a more spacious circuit.

Dangers: Keep safe 9. Devils Where at good odds third-up. Held her ground okay resuming in a handy maiden before didn't react on the synthetic at the Gold Coast despite being well supported. Much better placed here back on turf, and settling quieter behind a stronger speed. Gap to the rest headed by two fresh runners 1. Brave Instinction who is lightly raced; and 6. Strategic Success at bigger odds from a useful trailing draw.

How to play it: Smooth Torque to win
Odds and Evens: Split

Back a little in trip for the open class sprinters. Smart and consistent four-year-old 3. Two Ya Got shapes to make it four wins from his last six, boasting a 50 percent win record at this track from eight starts. Took on tough grade before hopping the border last start, and sweeping home from midfield to win a BM 75 at Ipswich. The nine-day back-up is a big pointer, and being well in at the weights after the 3kg claim from a soft draw makes him the one to beat.

Dangers: Progressive Eagle Farm-based five-year-old 8. Charlie Sphene can run the quinella behind a dominant all-the-way win in weaker class second-up off a long break. Gap to the rest, with 1. Stampe dropping back from three gallant runs in metro company; 5. Appalachian resuming with key gear changes; and 11. Another Spirit also first-up; fighting out the minor money.

How to play it: Two Ya Got to win
Odds and Evens: Split

Most open race on the program with a tonne of chances. No better value than improving four-year-old mare 2. Cassia Lane who maps to get plenty of cover back in distance off a nine week freshen-up, with a stronger jockey taking over. Finished best to win a similar graded race three runs back before not far away in two deeper contests in March. Over the odds.

Dangers: From a softer draw over a bit more ground third-up, improving mare 13. Star Of Shalaa is also big value, with blinkers coming off. Despite drawing very wide, keep safe 4. Fire Up Bruce progressing off a smart CL1 win third-up. Don't dismiss 1. Franklin Corners dropping in grade fourth-up, with a 2kg claimer off-setting the weight; while at big odds, 5. Bad Boy Darby is a knockout chance second-up.

How to play it: Cassia Lane each way
Odds and Evens: Split

It doesn't get any easier in the feature where several could be well backed. Like the value about progressive Coffs four-year-old 14. Gobbled who gets a significant weight drop for this tougher test third-up. Kept working to the line in a country BM 66 18 days ago under 60kg, and draws to find a handy position on speed.

Dangers: Big market watch on tough 5. Macchina Volante who reloads switching states off a two month break. Disappointed in the Echuca Cup before working home better in the Bairnsdale Cup over a mile when backed from $5.50 into $4.40. Boasts a better than 25 percent win rate from 27 starts. Talented four-year-old 8. Andy is another one over the mark third-up coming back from CL6 metro company. Included in trifecta and first four bets, 4. Dubai Tycoon improving second-up; and 13. Dark Euro who has beaten home all bar the winner in three runs this prep, and drops a hefty 7kg for this.

How to play it: Gobbled each way and trifecta 5,8,14/4,5,8,13,14/4,5,8,13,14
Odds and Evens: Split

We close the meeting with another very open battle. Keen to ride home with top-weight six-year-old 1. Snazz 'N' Charm who finds a thinner race deep into the current prep. Has done his best work late in handy CL3 company at Ipswich last two, and the rise in distance now is timely.

Dangers: Plenty of them headed by underrated 3. Green Reign who has also worked home well late in two runs this prep, and can settle closer here from a low draw; while 2. Brave Warrior fourth-up; and 15. Stoinka back up in class; head the rest.

How to play it: Snazz 'N' Charm to win
Odds and Evens: Odds

BEST BETS:
R2 3. MY MATE COBBER
R3 3. FIREFLIES

BEST VALUE:
R6 2. CASSIA LANE

All the fields, form and replays for Friday's Lismore meeting