By Ray Hickson
Selections based on a good to soft track
Race 1 – 12:45PM HORSEPOWER COUNTRY BOOSTED MAIDEN HANDICAP (1500 METRES)
1. Mazita has the right form on the board to be winning if he can take some advantage of the inside gate. He’s given away big starts in both runs to date here and at Scone and hit the line strongly. Up to 1500m he’ll have his chance.
Dangers: 5. Big Time Charlie shouldn’t be underestimated. He comes through the same race as Mazita and finished alongside him on the line. He’s had a few chances but was placed here three back and no surprise if he’s right in the finish. 4. Tapa Kick has trialled twice and it’s probably significant he kicks off at this trip as opposed to something shorter. Hard to get a good line on his latest trial against three rivals so be guided by the market. 3. Master Tyler was in the betting but had a tough run and weakened to finish midfield at Tamworth on Monday. Kinder draw here and a placing is possible.
How to play it: Mazita WIN; Trifecta 1/ 3,4,5/3,4,5. Odds & Evens: ODDS.
Racing returns to Muswellbrook with a seven-race card.Credit: Jenny Evans
Race 2 – 1:25PM TAB HUNTER RIVER STAYERS CUP – BENCHMARK 66 HANDICAP (2300 METRES)
5. Foxtrot Bravo is racing well at this sort of level with his only recent poor showing in a BM78 in town. Tough win at Nowra then hit the lead at Wagga two weeks ago only to be run down late. It’s a decent trip from Kembla to Muswellbrook, he should run well.
Dangers: 1. Marakopa won this race two years ago and finished midfield last year on a heavy 10. Will appreciate getting away from city company and while he has the 62kg to shoulder his best is good enough. 2. Yak is a model of consistency and did win at 2400m four starts ago. Last time got there by the bob of the head at Gunnedah over 2000m. Expect he’ll be competitive again. 3. Insider Trader ran third behind Yak at Wellington, his last couple have been fair. Didn’t run on at Wagga last start, has been here and placed before so keep in the mix.
How to play it: Foxtrot Bravo WIN. Odds & Evens: ODDS.
Race 3 – 2:05PM OLDKNOW ELECTRICAL P/L BENCHMARK 66 HANDICAP (1280 METRES)
7. Titration is the logical horse to beat though it has been a while between wins. Nailed late first up then game effort in a strong Highway at Hawkesbury. Placed at 1400m at Randwick in December so the trip holds no fears. Good chance.
Dangers: 6. Warrah Flash has to rate as the danger. Beat Titration at Beaumont though his two runs since have been fair. Is 1kg worse off at the weights but looks a decent threat again. 5. Lucifer’s Reward was a close fourth in that race in question so his form ties in well. Comes off an easy BM58 win here three weeks ago and is one of the chances. 3. She’s Independent has run back into form with a couple of seconds and she did stick on well when challenged at Taree last time. Can give a sight.
How to play it: Titration WIN; Trifecta 7/3,5,6/3,5,6. Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Race 4 – 2:40PM TAB COUNTRY BOOSTED BENCHMARK 58 HANDICAP (1000 METRES)
3. Yirrkala showed some ability in her first prep and returns without a public trial. Expect she’ll go forward and with the 3kg give a good account up on the speed. Check betting for a push late but she should run well.
Dangers: 1. Florino was far too good on debut as a $1.75 favourite here at the end of March. Freshened up and back the 1000m, that’s the only small concern. He looks to have talent so might be able to overcome it. Major threat. 6. Lago’s Daughter is also back in distance on her breakthrough win at Gunnedah where she sat back and stormed down the outside. Possibly unsuited by the shorter trip but if they’re overdoing it she’ll be strong. 5. Gleditsia has found some form this time in with a win at Orange splitting placings at Wellington. Perhaps her form is a bit weaker but we’ll find out.
How to play it: Yirrkala WIN; Trifecta 3/1,5,6/1,5,6. Odds & Evens: ODDS.
Race 5 – 3:20PM MAGIC MILLIONS 30 & 31 MAY SALE 3YO MAIDEN PLATE (1000 METRES)
3. Mon Pierre started in the market on debut at Kembla and led before being reeled in and finishing fourth. Not beaten far. Fitter for that, drawn to be prominent and unless a first starter is above average he can go close.
Dangers: 10. Miss Adamas was placed at Scone and Canterbury at her first two starts before a fair fourth at Kembla in January. Given a break and a couple of trials leading in, she should go forward and can be hard to run down. 6. Sofie’s Gem is an interesting first starter whose latest trial wasn’t bad albeit in a small field on this track. Drawn soft and any support might be significant. 12. Savvy Statement is another debutant and she wasn’t pushed late in running fourth at Hawkesbury in her last trial. Barrier’s a bit tricky but aided by the claim. Each-way.
How to play it: Mon Pierre WIN. Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Race 6 – 3:59PM PIRTEK MUSWELLBROOK MAIDEN PLATE (1280 METRES)
1. Afterboomer made a smart debut with a close second at Newcastle a couple of weeks ago. Did hit the lead and was run down but will be better for it and finds a suitable race. With even luck from the barrier he looks hard to beat.
Dangers: 2. Canny Prospect isn’t far off a win and is well worth keeping safe after a strong finishing second at Newcastle almost a month ago where he weaved through from near the tail. Has the inside gate this time, has drawn wide in all three runs back, and is right in this. 4. Martedi is a well bred gelding on debut for strong trainer/jockey combination. Nice easy win in his only trial and if he’s above average he can be right in the finish. 12. Renewed Impact is a big watch first up from New Zealand where she raced just once for a second at Rotorua in December. Trials have been okay and in good hands. 11. Rapbidash impressed in her trial win at Gunnedah recently and could also show up.
How to play it: Afterboomer WIN; Trifecta 1/ 2,4,12/2,4,12. Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Race 7 – 4:38PM UPPER HUNTER RIDE SHARE CLASS 1 HANDICAP (1000 METRES)
9. Extra Smart was rested after her impressive maiden win at Scone back in December where she started favourite and cruised home. Trial winner leading into this and looked in order there. Could be handy and has a good chance to return a winner.
Dangers: 1. Remember Jack broke his maiden status with a runaway win over 900m here in the spring. Started $1.50 when resuming and had his chance at Taree. Fitter for that and entitled to another shot here. 4. Good Lieutenant posted his first win at Goulburn third up and did it easily on a heavy track. Has to tick the good track box here but is fit and well worth including. 10. Extessive hasn’t raced since late January where she inexplicably failed. Form before that was quite handy and if she’s back to her best she could put herself in the finish fresh.
How to play it: Extra Smart WIN; Trifecta 9/1,4,10/1,4,10. Odds & Evens: ODDS.
Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au
