1. Akasawa (Paul Messara, Scone): Any horse that can win five of their first six starts is well above average and this gelding did just that culminating in a Canterbury win back in November, off an 11 month break. He back those runs up with a solid enough showing in a Benchmark 78 and a close second under 60kg again at Canterbury before a freshen up. He found Opal Ridge a shade slick in his trial over 1000m but we know he acts well fresh and he'll get his chance.

2. Ezekeil (Cody Morgan, Tamworth): The favourite to win the Country Championships Final as it stands but there are holes you can punch in him. He was safely held in this race last year as a three-year-old, though he's gone up several notches with a bit of time. A runaway win in the Newmarket at Armidale and his easy Gold Coast Magic Millions Country Cup victory say he's coming into this race flying. Tuned up in the same trial as Akasawa. Does he run a strong 1400m? That's the question and he has to do it with 59kg. If he can then he's hard to beat.

3. Casino Lord (Cody Morgan, Tamworth): Noted backmarker so the wide barrier isn't so much of a worry for him. Sprouted wings late to claim the Lightning at Quirindi and is going to concede a decent start, which isn't always easy to do around this track. He's only raced beyond 1100m once and that was in a Highway at Randwick a year ago and he beat a couple home. Won four from seven on his home track. The distance has to be the worry.

4. Mr Hussill (Cameron Crockett, Scone): Ran fifth in this race last year on a heavy track when first-up from a spell. Won a Highway three starts later also on a heavy track. Had the benefit of a trial and a race and while he was safely held in that 1200m event here two weeks ago he did have 63kg. The draw isn't the greatest but he's an accomplished off-pacer who on his best form is capable of being somewhere in the finish. Would prefer a bit of sting out of the track.

5. So Country (Melanie O'Gorman, Tamworth): Lightly raced for a five-year-old with just 10 starts but he's won four and accounted for Sir Ravanelli in his Highway win back in July. First-up he arrived in time to win the Gilgandra Town Plate over 1100m back on January 2 so has been freshened again. Hasn't tried 1400m but is trained here and has an on pace sort of racing style that will give him his opportunity if he's good enough.

6. Commando Hunt (Cameron Crockett, Scone): Runner-up in this race last year and the Final at Randwick both on heavy ground. Hasn't raced since contesting The Kosciuszko where he couldn't get into it from the back but 1400m is much more his go. So it's no surprise he's tackling this race first-up. He'd love a shower or two to soften the track up but his Highway win a while back did come on a good 4 so that's something. He'd probably prefer a closer draw but have to respect what he did in this series a year ago.

7. Acrophobic (Cody Morgan, Tamworth): He's been hot and cold since heading to the country with a nice win over the 1400m at Tamworth in April last year the highlight. He's also placed in a couple of country cups. Not raced since July but he did have a couple of trials in November before going out again and a couple more leading into this race. No doubt the ability is there but he will get back in the field and has to be taken on trust.

8. Seguso (Cody Morgan, Tamworth): Had a few raps on him since he joined the local stable and has shown glimpses. Just missed to a handy type at Warren first-up then freshened and went under as a $1.75 favourite in an open handicap here on January 19. He found himself too far back there and only failed by less than half a length. Just battled away under the 61kg in the lead up race and certainly wasn't disgraced. The barrier is his concern but he's not one to be dropping off.

9. Don'Tforgetmonica (Cameron Crockett, Scone): Won a Highway back in June at Rosehill on a good track and did it well. Since then she's been in an out of form. Placed in The Panorama at Bathurst in September but hasn't fired a shot in three subsequent runs. Down 5kg on her first-up effort here on February 10 where she settled last and got past just one on the line. On current form she's hard to entertain as a chance but if she was to her best, from barrier two, she could be dangerous at odds.

10. The Storm In Me (Tim McIntosh, Muswellbrook): Beat two home as a $51 chance in this race last year. Only had five starts since then for a third at Newcastle in May on a heavy track and a last stride win at Wyong on Christmas Eve, both at 1200m. Hasn't been able to feature in five starts around this distance range so it's tough to make a strong case for her. From a good gate she'll at least likely get her chance in the run.

11. Mirror Queen (Paul Messara, Scone): On face value she's going to find 1400m too sharp for her second-up after resuming at the trip three weeks ago. She started favourite in a Benchmark 68 at Newcastle and didn't really zip at any stage when the gaps opened up. She was held up on occasion but by no means did it cost her a chance to win. Won twice at a mile and once at 2100m last time in and from the wide gate she'll be giving a start.

12. Strelitzia (Mark Mason, Tamworth): Only missed a place four times in 14 starts and three of those misses have come when first-up. Her first two wins were at 1400m but lately she's stretched out as far as 2100m with success. Hasn't raced since September when midfield at Canterbury in a 1900m BM72 and hard to get a guide on her barrier trial two weeks ago where she was beaten 10 lengths. While she's consistent, inclined to say she's up against it in this company and at the 1400m.

13. Bootscooter (Rodney Northam, Scone): Might be a bit underestimated as she arrives at her pet trip third-up on the back of two runs in Benchmark 72 company in two. Won a Highway beating Lisztomania in June then placed at a mile in the Grafton Guineas. Her Canterbury effort second-up had plenty of merit, she enjoyed a nice run to the turn then was held up for a while before working home on the rails into third. Draws nicely and wouldn't be ruling her out.

14. Running Bear (Jan Bowen, Muswellbrook): Another consistent type and she's bumped into some smart types in her past two Highway attempts in I've Bean Tryin' and Super Extreme. Had a tough run there first-up and was left a sitting shot. She's a horse that can sit handy or as she did last time come from off the pace. She's drawn perfectly and if she doesn't hit the front too soon she's a realistic winning chance.

15.Two Ya Got  (Brett Cavanough, Scone): Returned with a win in the lead up race over 1200m here two weeks ago, gholding them off by under half a length. His form is a bit inconsistent, he has beaten Running Bear some time ago and his only attempt at 1400m was a fair effort in the Albury Guineas back in march last year. Given his query at the trip, if he gains a start the draw will force him to work a bit which makes him vulnerable.

SELECTIONS:
14 RUNNING BEAR
1 Akasawa
13 Bootscooter
2 Ezekeil