1. Gusonic (Donna Scott, Albury): Led them to about the 150m in the Southern Districts Championships at Albury before folding up for a midfield finish. His first-up run, a close third in a Benchmark 78 at Randwick, shows he's good enough to be in the finish if the race pans out in his favour. He's drawn the inside so expect him to be up there in or near the lead again and he'll have every chance.

2. Island Press (Dean Mirfin, Bathurst): So much was expected of him in the Central Districts Championships at Mudgee and while he did have the outside gate to contend with it's fair to say he was disappointing. Raced inside the winner for most of the trip and didn't match its dash. He was impressive winning over 1400m at Parkes going into that race but perhaps the month between runs, despite having a trial, didn't suit. No excuses from the draw this time and he is capable of improving.

3. Toretto (Matthew Dale, Goulburn): Placed in the Moruya Cup before starting a huge price at $41 in the South East Championships at Moruya where he settled well back and charged along the inside section to run third. Perhaps he was flattered a bit by the inside being a very handy place to be at the meeting. He'll still get back in the field from a wider gate this time but he is two from two at Goulburn and is sure to be running on.

4. Baledon (Ron Stubbs, Albury): Started a $31 chance when filling fourth place in the Southern District Championships at Albury. He settled a long way back there and made a long run which looked to peak about 100m out or so as he had third stolen from him with that placegetter coming from behind him. He was a strong winner first-up and is a Highway winner so on his best form is competitive but he doesn't generally make use of good gates and will be giving away a start.

5. Eastern Glow (Keith Dryden, Canberra): Ran well below expectations in the South East Championships at Moruya, he started $6.50 and was gone coming to the home turn after he settled midfield. Clearly he's better than that but there were no obvious excuses for the performance. He's been to Goulburn once for a win in July in a Benchmark 58 and kept improving to win a Highway in January. He was five weeks between runs when heading to Moruya so perhaps that was against him in hindsight. If you take him on trust he could bounce back.

6. I'Ve Bean Tryin' (Matthew Kelley, Canberra): Had some specking to start $9 in the South East Championships but after drawing wide and settling back he was never able to get into the race dominated by those up front and near the fence. His effort to finish seventh wasn't bad, he made a midrace move to try to improve but to no avail. He was able to hit the line strongly first-up at Warwick Farm and has trialled on the Goulburn track. Definitely worth another chance.

7. Tap 'N' Run (Ron Stubbs, Albury): Raced three wide with cover in the Southern District Championships and wasn't able to go with them when the sprint went on. He boxed on okay, coming again late to run sixth but never looked a winning chance. He's drawn quite well this time and in his Highway win in November was able to make some use of a barrier and enjoy a nice run. Qualified for the Final last year and finished midfield. On his best form he's an each-way chance.

8. To The Nines (Tash Burleigh, Goulburn): Can't seem to draw a barrier but has the racing style that can offset it if he's away well. Sat up second in the South East Championships and battled on to run fifth so fair to say he had his chance in that race. But he was runner-up in the Moruya Cup off a wide gate and his Highway win in November was from gate 15 of 16 so you wouldn't say that he can't find a spot on pace and give a sight.

9. Blow Dart (Brett Thompson, Gulgong): Scratched from the Central Districts Championships with a vet certificate so this is his one shot at making it to the final. Obviously recovered well from the issue as he was a game second in a Benchmark 64 at Newcastle just under two weeks ago where he was run down by a lightly raced mare with upside. His big challenge is running a strong 1400m which he's yet to attempt.

10. Burrandana (Peter J Morgan, Wagga Wagga): He was the eye-catcher from the tail in the Southern District Championships flashing home into third behind Bianco Vilano. He did manage to beat that horse at his previous start. He's drawn a little better around the middle of the field this time so perhaps he doesn't give away such a start and that could be vital. Still only his sixth start coming up so he's very much untapped and has to be respected.

11. Jalmari (Danny Williams, Goulburn): Was an emergency for the South East Championships and didn't gain a start but forced his way into this race with a game, and overdue, win at Moruya in a Class 2. A year ago he was contesting Group races and was runner-up to Straight Arron in the Group 3 Carbine Club Stakes at Randwick. Went into the wilderness for the rest of the year but that first-up win, while aided by where he made his run, was a confidence booster for him and he could go on with it as he's shown he's good enough if he puts in.

12. Rocket Tiger (SCRATCHED).

13. Statesville (James Ponsonby, Orange): Scratched from the South East Championships as first emergency for which he was eligible at the time so he tackles this first-up since running second in a 1300m Highway when coming off a 36 week break at Rosehill in August. What he does have is a very handy fresh record having won at his previous two first-up attempts so that's no negative for him. He couldn't have had an ideal preparation being set to resume in a race two weeks ago so that's a query plus he has a horror draw to overcome.

14. Easy Rosie (Anthony Warren, Goulburn): More than respectable effort first-up in the South East Championships where she followed the quinella into the straight then moved three or four off the inside to make her run. It probably wasn't the right place to be but she kept trying and had third stolen from her by a horse darting along the fence. Trained at Goulburn and won her only start on her home track though her second-up record isn't as strong as her fresh record. Draws to get every chance.

15. Invertational (Matthew Kelley, Canberra): Last out in the South East Championships and was chasing from the start. Made some ground to offset it then was shunted back again. Stayed to the inside on the turn, which was a plus, and she just battled to the line finishing in sixth place. She'd won three straight before that including twice at 1400m so she has to be forgiven for that uncharacteristic run at Moruya. She draws okay and seems over the odds.

16. Clever Art (Donna Scott, Albury): Raced well below her best in the Southern District Championships, settling well back and making no impact at all in the run home. She was placed in a Highway going into the Albury race so that run was well out of character for her. Perhaps it's all coming a bit too soon for her but she's only had six starts and draws a little better this time around. Would still consider her an outside chance.

17. Louie's Legacy (Barbara Joseph, Paul & Matt Jones, Canberra): Balloted out of the South East Championships but was able to improve his rating enough to squeeze into the field with a second at Canberra last Sunday where he kept finding the line under 58kg. He's only had the six starts and did look good winning at the Sapphire Coast before that. Whether it's come too soon for him remains to be seen but he has a soft draw and potential on his side.

18E. Sweet Biscuit (Wayne Hudd, Goulburn): Fourth emergency for the South East Championships and didn't gain a start so went to Wagga a day later and put in an uncharacteristic effort in finishing midfield in a Class 3 over 1200m. She's only missed a place twice in 10 starts and has a great 1400m record but this is harder than a Class 3 at Wagga.

SELECTIONS:
15 Invertational
17 Louie's Legacy
6 I'Ve Bean Tryin'
11 Jalmari