Race-by-race preview and tips for Monday meeting at Muswellbrook
By Neil Evans
Track Good 4 and rail out 3m from 1000m to 300m into a cut/away
RACE 1
2. Dale is a promising three-year-old who has this at his mercy after a dominant maiden win from off speed when heavily backed into a hot favourite. The way he’s attacked the line in his last two puts him way on top back on a suitably bigger circuit, and with the early market rival coming out. 3. Ta Set Nefaru can rebound after failing to fire a shot at Dubbo. 4. Zippo Idea will find this easier than a CL3 Highway where she did it tough from a wide draw at the tail.
Racing heads to Muswellbrook on Monday.Credit: Fairfax
How to play it: Dale to win
RACE 2
9. Play My Song is an underrated mare well-placed to peak third-up, with a pivotal 3kg claim. Didn’t finish off when resuming here, but attacked the line much better in a superior CL3 at Tamworth 11 days ago. 3. Gogmagog is well up to winning this after just missing in a handy CL1 here on heavy ground. 5. Toyger has often let punters down, with 11 placings and only one win from 20 starts. That said, this is his best trip, and has enough tactical speed to off-set a tricky draw. 4. Sir Freddie improves sharply getting on to a bigger track second-up.
How to play it: Play My Song to win
RACE 3
4. Zucchero is naturally a big market watch, resuming for the new leading country stable off a near year-long break. Has been given two improving trials, and this is a very weak race. 1. Steel Claws held his ground okay first-up, and is better off back on a bigger course. 6. Clan D’oro has placed in three of her last four, and can again run into minor money.
How to play it: Zucchero to win
RACE 4
3. Touch Of Navy is a sparingly raced and still progressing five-year-old returning for her first run since early spring. Was very consistent last prep, winning twice up to this level in the Dubbo Cup Preview before again being twice in the placings. Finished off when out of his depth in a strong BM 86 Dubbo Cup. Has a smart fresh record, likes this circuit, and gets in well at the weights after a 3kg claim. 4. Contributingfactor reloads off a 44-day break from the inside draw, with an overdue drop back from deeper metro company 1. Strombus is suitably placed second-up, back from BM 72 metro company where he held his ground. 5. Aimpoint resumes off a forward trial. 6. Feirme Prince second-up can add value into trifecta and first four plays.
How to play it: Touch Of Navy to win
RACE 5
7. Zouking is a provincial-based three-year-old on debut, and the one to beat despite drawing wide. Liked the way he won a lead-up trial at Hawkesbury, cruising around from wide out, putting a gap on them and brushing through the line late. Has been in work for a long time, and destined to win better races than this. 11. Wedding Planner is a big betting watch on debut for a metro stable from a sound trailing draw behind two forward trials. 1. Best Defence can run a race fresh, despite not officially trialing. Led for a long way over this trip before spelling and gear changes are in play. 14. Rare Moon resumes off a quiet trial, also with gear changes. 3. Nickers Boy has early speed, and is a betting watch resuming off a long break. 6. Slam Dunk can run into a place resuming with blinkers added.
How to play it: Zouking to win
RACE 6
4. Princess Regent is another provincial three-year-old, by Snitzel, making her debut. Comes through a pair of 1200m handy form trials, and with blinkers applied she can run this middle distance out strong, despite drawing wide. 3. Lovin’ Harry stuck on okay in a stronger provincial maiden second-up. 2. Devil Rider is a natural improver after doing little first-up at big odds in a much smarter maiden at Canterbury. 12. Pathelia is an improver and heads the rest.
How to play it: Princess Regent to win
RACE 7
9. Little Bit Flash is a lightly raced mare who hasn’t won for a while, but still over the odds resuming from a low draw. Wasn’t far away in two runs last spring, the latter in a deeper field. Best form is early in the prep, and the jockey booking is significant. 1. Invincible Whip is lightly raced and returns off a 24-week spell and two solid provincial trials. 6. Shubick improves sharply after a tough first-up run off a long berak. 2. Oenology is a big market watch, resuming with no public trials.3. Gelsey gets back up to a more suitable trip fifth-up. 7. All Too Wild ran home well when resuming in a strong country CL1.
How to play it: Little Bit Flash each way
BEST BETS
R2 9. PLAY MY SONG
R3 4. ZUCCHERO
BEST VALUE
R4 3. TOUCH OF NAVY
Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au