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By Neil Evans

Track likely Soft 7 and rail True for Showcase meeting

Good competitive sprint to get us underway. Progressive local four-year-old 2. Casino Lord could easily be coming off two outstanding Highway wins, with an ounce more luck. Rattled home in a huge run six weeks ago before again having a checkered path hitting the line hard on Boxing Day. Given nearly four weeks between runs back in trip and grade fourth-up, and looks supremely in at the weights carrying 58kg after the claim.

Dangers: Doubt there are any if the top selection gets a clear crack at them from the 300m, but provincial filly 5. Mabel is on the up, having charged late to beat a promising sprinter first-up, and was scratched from Tuesday's Wyong meeting to be saved for this. Resuming stablemate of the top selection 3. Aytobe can run into the minor end of the prize.

How to play it: Casino Lord to win and quinella 2 and 5. Odds and Evens: Split

Keen on improving colt 3. My Diamond Boy who worked home late second-up on the Beaumont track in a race with more depth. Improves again being bred to peak around this distance.

Dangers: Progressive three-year-old 2. Superdeel is the clear threat off a nice closing effort in a handy provincial maiden third-up over this distance; while watching the betting on 4. Aldrin with blinkers going on at his fourth start.

How to play it: My Diamond Boy to win. Odds and Evens: Split

Progressive colt 7. Geisel can hit back second-up after leaving favorite backers flat on the Beaumont track. Was collared late after leading, but fitter now with a nice weight drop and on a tighter track, he can take up a forward position and run them ragged.

Dangers: From a soft draw, consistent 9. Indicative looms as the quinella runner having beaten all bar the winner in three runs this prep, and draws to get a lovely trail just off the speed. Capable four-year-old 1. Cut 'Em Up has had three mixed runs back from a spell without much luck, although not convinced the inside draw does him any favors here.

How to play it: Geisel to win and quinella 7 & 9. Odds and Evens: Odds a special

Tricky race. Tough four-year-old 1. Amulet Street is as honest as they come, having filled a place in all but one of his nine starts, often beaten narrowly with little luck on his side. Was only fair resuming and draws wide here, but normally progresses well into that next run, and is the superior wet tracker.

Dangers: Improving 2. Anselmo was right behind the top selection first-up in that weaker maiden, and will appreciate a little more ground. Big watch on local three-year-old 7. Civil War who resumes as a gelding with a 3kg allowance off a nine month spell and two recent trials; while filly 12. Lan Kwai Fong a month between runs; and 6. The Gossiper third-up over a bit more ground; are both knock-out chances.

How to play it: Amulet Street to win. Odds and Evens: Split

Good depth in this mile battle headed by home track four-year-old 1. Highlights who can hit a peak reaching the mile third-up. Attacked the line impressively in a similar race at Muswellbrook, and will carry 2.5kg less after the rider's full claim.

Dangers: Plenty of them headed by tough five-year-old 2. Onemorechoice was banging on the door after two strong closing efforts in similar grades before dropping out alarmingly in weaker company on a very shifty track. Keep safe at bigger odds 4. Fanmalia who has been only fair since claiming a BM 58 narrowly first-up; while 7. Ah Well who hit the line late last start after putting three wins together against weaker opposition; and 11. Prodigal Prince who won a similar race two starts back; both go in trifectas and first fours.

How to play it: Highlights to win. Odds and Evens: Split

Feature race of the day should be a good betting affair. Smart home track four-year-old 2. Acrophobic resumes, and only has to get across from the wide draw to be the one to beat. Looked strong winning the second of two 1000m trials here, and after the claim will carry the same weight as he did in the Group 3 Hawkesbury Guineas in late autumn.

Dangers: Progressive mare 6. Midsummer Rain who was runner-up in a Dec 26 Highway, and has since trialled smartly. Tough eight-year-old 1. Akasaki is fit and well over the odds five weeks between runs after hitting the line from well back behind one of the most consistent sprinters in non-metro NSW. Has to cart 61kg, but draws well.

How to play it: Acrophobic to win and quinella 2 and 6. Odds and Evens: Evens

Trained on the track, progressive four-year-old 4. Kanalaide can strike second-up. Closed off nicely resuming in a handy CL3, and drawn to get good cover over his pet distance with a handy 3kg claim.

Dangers: Got plenty of time for five-year-old 3. Danza In The Dark who hasn't raced since a fair closing effort in a CL2 Highway five weeks back when he had little room or luck at a crucial stage. Naturally up in weight back at home, but likes soft ground. Progressive 1. Still In Fashion gets a big drop in class off that strong Hwy run, although asked to carry a hefty 62.5kg. Keep safe the second of three Cody Morgan-trained runners, 12. Invincible Fire who has held her form okay in two runs since a dominant second-up maiden win; while 6. Crimson Rose landed a weaker race here on New Year's Day, but badly off at the weights in stronger company, and was drawn right off the track.

How to play it: Kanalaide to win. Odds and Evens: Split

Local four-year-old 2. Sabie Park is the one to beat, resuming off two trials with a vital 3kg claim.

Dangers: Keep safe lightly raced home track stallion 5. So Country who has trialled since a dominant maiden win here a month ago. Gap to the rest headed by 9. Trumpster fifth-up; and 13. Cross Step who also returns off a month's absence via a nice trial win.

How to play it: Sabie Park to win. Odds and Evens: Split

BEST BETS:
R4 1. AMULET STREET
R6 2. ACROPHOBIC

BEST VALUE:
R7 4. KANALAIDE

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