By John Schell
Selections based on a soft track
Race 1
2. Raging Force has had only one start, and that was in the Breeders Plate at Randwick in the spring. He finished sixth in that event after winning a trial, and was then spelled. He’s had another trial leading into this resuming run and finished third. He has the advantage of barrier one and looks to have the class to make a winning return. 7. Issy’s Star is a filly on debut, and she’s had two trials either side of a break in preparation. She’s drawn well and is set to run a bold race. 5. It Stays In Vegas debuted with a fifth at Scone in January and returns from a break here on the back of a Gunnedah trial victory. 4. Velka is making his debut after two trials in January and a recent one on April 30, in which he scored a win, at Tamworth.
How to play it: Raging Force WIN.
Racing heads to Muswellbrook on Sunday with a seven-race card.Credit: Brendan Esposito
Race 2
7. Dendina debuted at Narromine in August, 2023, and ran third as a well-backed favourite. She hasn’t raced since but has had three barrier trials spread over a lengthy period, the latest a fourth at Wellington last month. She has the talent to give a good sight fresh. 8. Last Lalique is a filly on debut that had three trials last year and has had another one at Gunnedah last month in which she ran second in preparation for this. 10. Priscila Statement ran third in a Beaumont track trial at Newcastle and debuts here from the inside barrier. 1. Brummagen resumes from a long spell after a solid third in a Wellington trial.
How to play it: Dendina EACH WAY.
Race 3
5. Image Of The Sun has been mixing her form since resuming from a spell. She failed to beat a runner home when resuming then finished second at Quirindi before a down-the-track effort in Highway grade at Scone. This looks a better assignment and the step up in distance should suit. 2. Cascade Mountain has had three straight wins and can take a power of beating again. 1. Ring Ahoy has talent on his day and can show up without surprising. 8. Deemee has been placed in three runs since scoring at Dubbo, and is a chance again.
How to play it: Image Of The Sun WIN.
Race 4
11. Pensativa had been racing well before a spell with a win at Gunnedah and a second on the Beaumont track at Newcastle. She resumed with a good fourth at Scone and has drawn well in gate one. 8. McKeon hit the line well to win at Gosford in Highway grade last time out and can be a major force again. 9. Zenti was placed at Tamworth in his latest start and warrants place thought again. 3. Inferencia won a couple on end at Newcastle and Rosehill before a last-start sixth at Warwick Farm.
How to play it: Pensativa WIN.
Race 5
2. Justice Warrior has been placed in five of his eight starts and will find this easier than the latest two provincial events he has been tackling. 1. Star Prediction fought on well to finish second at Scone at his latest start and he is a city placegetter at Canterbury. 7. Flourish is a filly on debut, and she’s had three recent trials to prepare. 8. California Secret resumes after a solid third in a Warwick Farm trial.
How to play it: Justice Warrior WIN.
Race 6
7. Zoomorphic had been racing well, with a couple of placings, before finishing last in a field of six in March. He has run well since, in a trial, before hitting his straps of late with a runaway maiden win at Mudgee followed by a solid victory at Dubbo. He can go on with the job. 6. Smoke On The Water has a wide gate but has two wins and a placing from four starts and will find this easier than his resuming effort. 1. Shipshape ran home well when third at Parkes last time out and can get into the money again. 11. Sirius Flyer won well at Quirindi over a subsequent winner at her latest start and there’s no reason she can’t run well again despite the awkward alley.
How to play it: Zoomorphic WIN.
Race 7
2. Ritzsun is a consistent performer that has finished second in each of his latest two starts at Mudgee and Gosford, going down by a narrow margin in both. He’s knocking on the door for another win and gets his chance in this. 6. Too Darn Lovely is a stablemate of Ritzsun that comes into this after a last-start win at Quirindi, and is worth including among the main chances again. 11. Move She Can finished fifth at Tamworth and is set to peak third-up from a spell. 3. Water Lad led them up at Parkes last time out and fought to the line strongly to finish second at Parkes. He has a big weight here but is drawn well.
How to play it: Ritzsun WIN.
Best Bets
Race 4: (11) Pensativa
Race 6: (7) Zoomophic
Best Value
Race 2: (7) Dendina
Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au
