By Mark Brassel
Track rated a Soft 5 with the rail out 5m from the 1000m-300m before the cutaway applies and TRUE the remainder.
Race 1 – 2:10pm: TAB COUNTRY BOOSTED MAIDEN HANDICAP (1000m)
Unraced galloper 4. HIMORHER looks to have plenty of ability and will be primed for victory at her first start. The filly had little trouble dispensing with her rivals in a Scone trial with the runner-up finishing third to Barber at Randwick on debut.
Muswellbrook will host Monday’s feature meeting.Credit:Fairfax Media
Dangers: Local mare 1. JODY GIRL held on solidly at her first outing at Scone when a touch easy in the market. She will derive plenty of benefit from the run and looks the main threat. 5. SUMATI ran well on debut here but tended to race greenly but should be another to have improved since. 2. CROWN GUINEA looks the only other chance after trialling nicely at Wyong, with the winner King’s Duty scoring at Newcastle last Monday.
How to play it: Bet up on Himorher to win
Odds and Evens: Odds
Race 2 – 2:45pm: BENGALLA BENCHMARK 66 HANDICAP (1750m)
2. CRIME SPREE was having his first run since being transferred from a Sydney stable and it was a bottler. The long-striding chestnut was all at sea around the tight Armidale course but once balanced, powered home to score. The additional 450m along with the roomier Muswellbrook circuit gives him the nod.
Dangers: 7. PINKY is lightly raced but showing plenty of talent. She had an interrupted passage when fourth at Wyong before running home well from last at Canterbury Park and will find this more suitable. 1. OAKFIELD WARPAINT was a good third at Gosford three runs back before heading to Doomben when out graded in a BM78 last start. Drops to a BM66 here and should be thereabouts. 5. PERSIAN BEAUTY is best of the rest.
How to play it: Crime Spree win; save with Pinky in quinella
Odds and Evens: Odds
Race 3 – 3:25pm: GREAT NORTHERN CLASS 1 HANDICAP (1000m)
Flying Artie mare 6. MISS VIOLET should go close here and will be jumping from the inside marble. The mare led throughout to win at Wyong before being nabbed late at this track last time when the winner got up on the inside. The in-form Ashley Morgan again sticks and will give her every chance in transit.
Dangers: 2. BOSS SHELBY finished fast when runner-up at Scone and then looked like the winner at the 100m at Gunnedah before barrelled by another runner costing him any chance when third. He is racing well but doesn’t win often. 3. RHYTHM IS A DANCER is resuming after winning at Lismore in September and usually runs well fresh (2/0-1-1).
How to play it: Standout quinella 6/2-3
Odds and Evens: Evens
Race 4 – 4:05pm: MUSWELLBROOK EQUUS MEMBERSHIP MAIDEN HANDICAP (1500m)
7. BRIDGET WENLOCK ran a sound race when fifth at Randwick sent out at big odds before leading and only grabbed near the post at Wyong last start. Continues to improve with each outing and the 100m distance reduction looks suitable. Just has to contend with a sticky outside barrier.
Dangers: 9. LADY TOWNSEND finished hard at Port Macquarie when runner-up last campaign. Last start struck interference at a crucial stage down the straight but picked herself and got going again late. Keep her under notice. 3. OBVIOUSLY ALERT was badly away last time and ran on well and is drawn (gate 3) to get a decent run.
How to play it: Box 7-9-3 in a quinella
Odds and Evens: Odds
Race 5 – 4:40pm: TAB COUNTRY BOOSTED BENCHMARK 58 HANDICAP (1450m)
Bit of value here with 12. ELEGANT POETRESS who is having her second run from a spell. Interference cost her a placing at Taree before spelling, then on resumption was jammed up along the fence when making her run and should have finished closer. Will be fitter for the run and has Reece Jones aboard to help out.
Dangers: 1. FINAL STATEMENT continues to race well, has drawn nicely and will have Aaron Bullock to steer so must be respected. 3. GIRRAGULANG was just half a length behind Final Statement last start and meets that horse half a kilo better so he must have claims.
How to play it: Elegant Poetress on an each-way basis
Odds and Evens: Odds
Race 6 – 5:15pm: BHP MT ARTHUR BENCHMARK 66 HANDICAP (1280m)
5. LIGHTFAST followed seconds at Tamworth and Muswellbrook with a strong victory at Tamworth. He is a reliable conveyance who should sit midfield and be saved for one last shot at them over the concluding stages. Was balloted out of the TAB Highway at Randwick on Saturday and will be hard to hold out.
Dangers: 3. EXTRA FLASH was placed at Rosehill in November and ran a sound sixth at Scone at his first run for a month so will derive benefit from that outing. 2. JUMEIRAH BEACH has been freshened since winning at Muswellbrook and Mudgee. Hits the line hard and should again figure in the finish. 10. ELARSKI disappointed as an odds-on favourite at Port Macquarie last time out and can be given another chance.
How to play it: Lightfast standout quinella from 3-2-10
Odds and Evens: Odds
Race 7 – 5:50pm: HORSEPOWER MAIDEN PLATE (1280m)
Debutant 7. HELLBETTA has had three trials and a key one was at Gosford when narrowly beaten by one of today’s rivals in 8. OAKFIELD EAGLE. The big lad ran up to win the trial but was restrained near the line. His next trial at Rosehill was also good, he simply needs luck from his terrible draw.
Dangers: 12. KOKOSHNIK looked good winning a Rosehill trial and she fared much better with gate two. Speedy and will take running down. 8. OAKFIELD EAGLE has also been trialling well and must be taken into consideration while 2. RILEY PARK has the benefit of race experience against the aforementioned debutants and that must put him into the mix after a sound fourth at Gosford on resumption.
How to play it: Hellbetta should end up each-way value from the barrier
Odds and Evens: Odds
Best Bets
Race 1: (4) HIMORHER
Race 3: (6) MISS VIOLET
Best Value
Race 5: (12) ELEGANT POETRESS
Race 7: (7) HELBETTA
