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By Ray Hickson

Tips and race by race preview by Ray Hickson for Sunday’s Tamworth meeting. Selections based on a soft track.

9. Fingers Hunter won’t know himself back in this grade after two excellent runs in strong Highways then up to a Benchmark 72 and battled a bit but not disgraced at Rosehill. Was 1200m up to 1500m there so better for it, drawn well and entitled to go close.

Dangers: 4. The Favorite Son had no luck at all early and had to give away far too much start when running on into fourth at Taree third-up. Mile should suit and if he can use barrier one he’s a good each-way chance. 10. Blazing Sword started $1.28 and had every chance in the run when fourth at Canberra first-up. Perhaps the mile will suit him better so capable of improvement. 3. Just On Fire won a maiden over this track and distance in September then resumed with an even third at Taree after leading. Can't overlook.

How to play it: Fingers Hunter WIN ($1.95 TAB Fixed Odds).

Fingers Hunter runs sixth in a Highway at Randwick on February 8

6. Pappiana showed plenty of intent chasing the winner home first-up almost a month ago at a trip likely short of her best. Nicely drawn and the step up in distance looks in her favour. If she can step up off that performance she’ll be hard to beat.

Dangers: 1. New Pharoah found the 1000m too short when he resumed from almost a year off as he ran into fourth at Scone a month ago. Since trialled over 1200m so the additional trip will suit. If he finds his best he’ll be a major player. 3. Juliet’s Balcony is an interesting first starter from the Neasham/Archibald stable who has trialled twice recently, the latest behind a horse that strung the field out. Well drawn and trip suits on debut. Keep safe. 4. Zoomorphic made a handy return with a close second at Wyong a couple of weeks ago. That was his best effort to date so despite a wide alley he could go on with it.

How to play it: Pappiana EACH-WAY ($4.20 TAB Fixed Odds).

Pappiana runs second at Tamworth on February 14

12. Shotgun Bella looked to be doing it nicely alongside the winner in her latest trial at Scone recently, off a five week gap, and lands in an open race with an ideal gate. In top stable and any support would be significant but expecting a good performance on debut.

Dangers: 11. Reluctant Diva showed some promise in her first preparation with a couple of placings including one here before a spell. Easy trial winner at Scone leading in and should get every chance from the inside barrier. 10. Mount Bona is also on debut and she was only getting warm at the end of her latest trial, coming from a long way off the speed to run a close second. May get back from the gate but has to be considered. 8. Spendalot is another impressive recent trial performer and he won a heat at Scone on the same day in good style. No surprise to see him competitive.

How to play it: Shotgun Bella EACH-WAY ($5.50 TAB Fixed Odds).

Shotgun Bella runs second in a Scone trial on February 26

6. Cossack Warrior was solid in betting when resuming over this track and distance a month ago when a narrow winner. Since fitted with another trial. Can see him getting every chance from a favourable draw and if he has improved off that win he’s a threat.

Dangers: 3. Bjorn Ironside hit the lead 100m out in the Mid North Coast Country Championships at Port Macquarie and was run down late, finishing third. Has won at this track and is racing well so worth including in the main chances. 8. Champers Girl didn’t have a lot of luck at a vital stage in the straight when beating one home in a Highway at Canterbury a couple of weeks ago. First-up showing was handy and she’s entitled to another chance. 1. Red Beryl is a little out of form but could be placed in the small field.

How to play it: Cossack Warrior WIN ($2.30 TAB Fixed Odds).

Cossack Warrior wins at Tamworth on February 14

14. Upwardly Mobile is in great form this time in with a first-up win and a last stride defeat in her two runs back. Gets some nice weight relief for a modest class rise and seems to have drawn okay. Only has to hold form to be in the finish.

Dangers: 3. Oenology sat handy when winning at Muswellbrook before finding himself a long way back in a Highway at Rosehill but he hit the line nicely when able to get across heels. Only query is coming back in trip but otherwise right in this. 1. Arctic Legend led them up and battled into fifth when resuming at Scone in a Class 4. Two wins and a third from three runs at this track last time in and he’s much better suited down in grade. Likely improver. 2. Climate Control has been thereabouts without winning, drops a little in weight and well drawn so has each-way claims.

How to play it: Upwardly Mobile WIN ($3.70 TAB Fixed Odds).

Upwardly Mobile runs second at Tamworth on February 14

4. Call Me Terry was strong at the finish of 1200m when resuming at Mudgee a couple of weeks ago. Did sit fourth in the run and was outsprinted early in the straight then rallied. Step up in trip and a soft draw are pluses and he’s likely to run well.

Dangers: 5. Pharoahzano sat up handy in a similar race to this last start and was narrowly denied. Did start double figures and has been a little inconsistent but every chance to back that up. 7. Ballinderry Sal is fitter for two runs back and was hard in the market in a Highway at Canterbury where she held her ground. Likely to get back but should be hitting the line hard. 1. Commando Jack came from last in the Central Districts Country Championships at Orange off a four week break. Probably gets back again but chance to run on into the money somewhere

How to play it: Call Me Terry EACH-WAY ($4.80 TAB Fixed Odds).

Call Me Terry runs fourth at Mudgee on February 23

7. Know Thyself is a promising four-year-old with three wins from five starts and a last start Group 3 placing. Fitted with three trials leading in, wears blinkers first time and handles all conditions. Might have some work to do from the wide gate but he should be right in the finish.

Dangers: 8. Lisztomania finally got his Highway win first-up a month ago at Randwick and he beat a subsequent winner and carried 59.5kg. Is a backmarker so will drift back from the outside gate and look to sweep home down the middle. Any rain a plus for him too. 1. Rematch is a model of consistency who won easily over a mile first-up at this track then tried hard behind an in-form horse when runner-up at Canterbury last month. Draws ideally and goes just as well in any conditions. Must be respected. 5. Dances With Hooves has been kept fresh with two months since her smart second at Randwick in a BM72 and that was on the back of a win at Newcastle. Draws well but probably lands midfield or thereabouts and she’s an each-way chance. 15. Point Basse shapes as a big improver on a solid first-up effort in a Rosehill Highway two weeks ago. Made good ground and can only be fitter for it. No surprise if he gives some cheek.

How to play it: Know Thyself WIN ($2.40 TAB Fixed Odds).

Know Thyself runs third in a Scone trial on February 26

12. Not In Doubt was right up in class when a battling fifth over 1200m at this track first-up since May. Was expected to do something as she was right in the market so kept fresh and back to this class with a claim for a promising apprentice she could bounce back.

Dangers: 5. McTaggart gave a good sight in front when cut down by a subsequent Highway winner at Walcha a month ago. Drawn to lead them and could take running down again. 11. Nor Nor West has run into form this preparation with a Scone placing and a comfortable win at Mudgee. Little harder here but lightly raced and not out of it. 3. Water Lad is chasing a hat-trick after wins at Armidale and Taree. Has a hefty weight rise to contend with but hard to leave out while in such good form.

How to play it: Not In Doubt WIN ($5.50 TAB Fixed Odds).

Not In Doubt’s first-up run at Tamworth on January 23

All the fields, form and replays for Sunday’s Country Championships meeting at Tamworth