1. Gusonic (Donna Scott, Albury): Ran them along and held on for third in this race last year and has since won two races including a Benchmark 72 in Sydney. Sat just off the speed first-up and was closing in fast at the end of 1200m in a Benchmark 78 at Randwick three weeks ago and that has to be good form coming back to a Class 5 country race. He's drawn ideally and is more than good enough to win the race.

2. Scarlet Prince (Mitchell Beer, Albury): Drew wide in this race a year ago and went back, thus making no impact in the finish. He won three of his four starts last time in with the last couple in small but handy fields. They've come since a second-up fifth in a TAB Highway at 1400m back in September where he seemed to have his chance. Whether that's significant or not remains to be seen but it's a small niggle. Reacts fresh, good gate, home track, trip suits so there's plenty of positives for him.

3. Tap 'N' Run (Ron Stubbs, Albury): Finished midfield in the Final last year on the back of a closing second in this race. Ignore his first-up run at Moonee Valley as any pointer, he trialled strongly leading into it and he did have to lug 62.5kg. His Highway win at Kembla on The Gong program was the best we've seen of him since this race in 2022 and the barrier draw makes it tricky. That said there does appear to be some pace engaged. He's priced about right and is an each-way chance.

4. Our Last Cash (Donna Scott, Albury): What do you do with this horse's runaway almost seven length win in the Preview at Wagga a couple of weeks ago? He'd never previously led a race and he showed no signs of stopping at the end of 1300m. The result wasn't a surprise given his lead in form but the margin certainly was. Draws perfectly to be just off the pace, imagine he doesn't lead this field, and if that last win is any guide he's a major player.

5. Flying Sultan (Mitchell Beer, Albury): The barrier likely puts paid to any chance this consistent four-year-old had of running a strong 1400m. He's never seen the trip and was run down in the Bega Sprint at 1200m at his latest run a month ago. Form around Halo Warrior, while beaten by that horse, is good but have to say the task looks too tough.

6. Jack's All Magic (Kym Davison, Albury): Four wins from his last five starts have thrust this gelding into the Championships and winning form is hard to deny. Past three wins have come at 1400m so that's a tick in his favour though suspect the depth of the Tumut Cup would have to be questioned. Not sure where he stands but we'll find out here.

7. Baledon (Ron Stubbs, Albury): A Highway win at Rosehill in August over 1400m is encouraging going into this race and he backed it up when resuming over 1175m on this track. While he had a good run he was able to pick them up comfortably and edge away late and he's had a tickover trial since then. He'd appreciate a strong tempo up front, it wouldn't surprise if he ran into the placings somewhere under that scenario.

8. Carnival Miss (Gary Colvin, Wagga Wagga): When you've had 20 starts for five wins you have to shoot for the stars and chase a Country Championships and that's this mare's position. Her form in easier races around a midfield Highway finish has been honest and she's won her last couple including the Tumbarumba Cup. Barrier one is a plus but she's entitled to be generous odds. Still, she has the set up to give herself every chance.

9. Rocket Tiger (Scott Spackman, Wagga Wagga): This would be one of the great comeback stories if he's able to find his best form. Two years ago the gelding won his way into the Golden Slipper where he didn't disgrace himself but injury has got in the way and he's only raced three times since. Nice improvement, while he had every chance, second-up beaten three lengths by Think About It at Randwick and he'd be ready fitness wise. The barrier might be tough but on his best he's clearly some hope.

10. Participator (Tim Donnelly, Wagga Wagga): So far it's been Jeckyll and Hyde with this four-year-old but he's been seen at his best when on the fresh side as his record shows. Dominant performance from on the pace to win first-up on his home track by a widening margin and he's been kept ticking over in the seven weeks since. He still has some boxes to tick, particularly 1400m, but he has the draw to be wherever he needs to be and the versatility to take advantage. Not surprised he's an early favourite and he's hard to beat.

11. Bianco Vilano (Ron Stubbs, Albury): Hard to fault this gelding's honesty though he has been racing in Class 1 and Class 2 company. Romped away at this track two runs back before being reeled in late over the 1400m at Wagga. Suspect he's not quite up to this level at the moment but his record says he'll give it 100 per cent.

12. Burrandana (Peter J Morgan, Wagga Wagga): The least experienced horse in the field but with three wins on end why not roll the dice. He ran down Bianco Vilano to complete the hat-trick and a feature of his wins have been the relatively narrow margin. He'll need plenty of luck from the wide gate and really has to step up. He's untapped, though, so couldn't rule him right out.

13. Sizzling Cat (Gary Colvin, Wagga Wagga): Has some honest Highway form to her credit from the spring but she was never in the hunt first-up behind Our Last Cash, making up a bit of ground from last on the turn for a midfield finish. The negatives here are the wide gate, she's yet to win second-up and the 640-odd days since her last win.

14. Well In Sight (Mitchell Beer, Albury): Managed to beat Our Last Cash when resuming over the 1175m here back in December but she was disappointing in her latest over the same trip a few weeks ago. She led and was run over finishing sixth. Has to be a question mark at 1400m as an on pacer.

15. Clever Art (Donna Scott, Albury): Another lightly raced horse with just five starts, for three wins, under the belt. Measured up to a Class 3 Highway at Randwick won by Super Extreme earlier this month and that's quite strong form. Her two wins prior were in lesser company in this area but always be wary of the up and comer. Her pattern says the barrier doesn't matter so much and it wouldn't shock if she featured somewhere.

16. Kappy's Angel (Gary Colvin, Wagga Wagga): Looked a likely contender for this race with impressive wins on her home track in January in Class 1 and BM58 company where she was very strong late to score. Run off her feet chasing by Our Last Cash in her latest and that might not be the best set up for her. She'll need cover from the wide gate but if she gets a race run to suit he could bob into the finish as well.

SELECTIONS:
1 Gusonic 
10 Participator
6 Our Last Cash
2 Scarlet Prince