Muswellbrook preview, best bets, inside mail for Sunday, July 27, 2025

Trainer Cameron Crockett launches a two-pronged assault on the Bengalla Cup with Florino and Hulu and each bringing unique strengths.

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Trainer Cameron Crockett is launching a double pronged attack on the Bengalla Cup with two horses that are the complete opposite.

Crockett has Florino and Hulu in the $35,000 Cup (1280m) and admits the former has all the talent but isn’t that mentally strong whereas the latter thrives when the going gets tough.

Florino, a horse formally trained by Paul Messara and Leah Gavranich, is yet to break through for Crockett but can do so here if he gets some things to go his way.

The son of Mikki Isle comes into the race having not gone a yard in heavy conditions at Mudgee but Crockett reports the gelding pulled up fine from the race.

“He’s fine but it’s just when the chips are down, he throws them away and that’s what he did that day,” Crockett said.

Hulu comes all the way from last to win at Muswellbrook! 👏 pic.twitter.com/3YbmgtIU6u

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 2, 2025

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“Obviously, he’s got all the ability but he just lacks that mental fortitude sometimes.

“But he pulled up well and I’d expect him to run better than what he did the other day.”

Hulu comes out of the same last start race as her stablemate and she thrived in the heavy conditions, only going down narrowly despite a tough run in transit.

Crockett isn’t worried about the conditions with her and also thinks a return to Muswellbrook will suit where she’s recorded three wins from four starts.

“She’s just the complete opposite to Florino,” Crockett said.

“She just guts it out no matter what the conditions are and you saw her do that the other day.

“But she’s not the easiest at home and I think if she knew we wanted her to win, she just wouldn’t do it out of spite.”

Bookmakers can’t split the two with both opening at $7 with talented mare Chidiac the $2.25 favourite.

A race later in the Scone Rural Supplies Handicap (1500m) will see Taipan Legend look to bounce back off a disappointing last start run.

Crockett believes he’s got a bit of Florino about him with the way he failed to fire in the conditions.

“He needs a lot to go his way in races and when it doesn’t, he throws the toys out of the cot,” Crockett.

“He’s a bit like the other horse actually with anything that goes against him, he just doesn’t want to go on.”

Lightning Speed leads the journey to win the 6th at Tamworth for @camcrockettrace! âš¡@_TJCpic.twitter.com/O0rPesyQFg

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) December 23, 2024

The final race on the card, the Power FM Handicap (1280m), has drawn a capacity field and Crockett is hoping for some scratchings so Lightning Speed can come in a few barriers.

The Scone-based conditioner thought Lightning Speed was his best winning chance prior to the barrier draw so he’s just hoping for a bit of luck and for the rain to stay away.

“I was really disappointed with the barrier she drew because I actually thought she was my best winning chance on the day,” Crockett said.

“She does have the speed to overcome it so I’m not concerned about the barrier in that sense, but if she were to have a tough run on a slow track it might be tough for her.

“If it was a fast track I wouldn’t have any worries so I’m just hoping the rain stays away.

“But she gets here off a throat operation and I thought she trialled really well.

“Ash (Morgan) won on her and he was pretty keen to stick with her so hopefully he can get the job done.”

Meanwhile, Crockett was unable to get a run at Randwick on Saturday with Durova but he suggests punters follow her wherever she goes.

“I think she’s one to follow,” Crockett said.

“I’ve been really impressed with her since I got her and I think she’ll be winning a few races.”

JETT HATTON’S TOP SELECTIONS

BEST BET

Race 2 No. 1: LEADING IMPACT

Debuted in a strong race on the Kensington when fourth to Grand Prarie. Can break through second-up.

NEXT BEST

Race 4 No. 1: BEYOND MY KEN

He’s going well and enjoyed stepping back in trip last start. Should be in the finish again.

VALUE BET

Race 6 No. 1: SURREAL I AM

Forgive her last start run when not getting any clear room. She’s going super and has come up over the odds.

QUADDIE

Race 4: 1, 2, 5, 6

Race 5: 2, 4, 7, 8

Race 6: 1, 9, 3, 10

Race 7: 2, 3, 4, 8

Aaron Bullock looks hard to beat in the jockey challenge. Picture: Getty Images

JOCKEY TO FOLLOW

As is normally the case, AARON BULLOCK has a stellar book of rides and should get at least two winners.

INSIDE MAIL - MUSWELLBROOK

RACE 1: Tab.com.au Country Boosted Mdn Hcp 1280m

SNAP DECISION (1) was narrowly denied for a maiden win on debut when Justice Warrior couldn’t be caught. Aaron Bullock was aboard that day and he sticks for the latest assignment. The way he hit the line would suggest the rise in trip, while only minor, will suit. DUNSTALLL THE GUN (2) ran on well in a race that lacked much tempo. Can position closer to the speed after drawing barrier four. MAGURTZ (6) looks to have a promising future, judging by what he’s produced at the trials ahead of his debut run.

Bet: Snap Decision to win

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RACE 2: Muswellbrook Motors Mdn Hcp 1000m

LEADING IMPACT (1) led in a strong race on debut and faded to finish fourth. Can break through here in easier company. Gary Portelli has given Premium one trial ahead of her debut. Drawn well and think she’ll run much better than the price would suggest. SALVATO (5) has trialled OK leading into her debut run. Gets Aaron Bullock in the saddle but might just need a touch of luck from barrier eight. WOOTTON PLEASE (12) debuted in a strong race at Warwick Farm that featured multiple stakes horses. Will be fit and ready to go for this with four trials preparation her for the first-up run.

Bet: Leading Impact to win

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RACE 3: Pirtek Muswellbrook Mdn Plate 1750m

NAVY PIER (4) was a beaten favourite at Taree last time out. Missed the start a length and as a result, he had to settle at the tail. It’s normally hard to make ground at Taree and he couldn’t. Getting to Muswellbrook suits and he’ll have a fitness benefit being second-up into this run. JU TWO (3) comes out of a decent Gosford maiden and he did it tough that day when covering a stack of ground. Drawn wide here so needs luck. PIERRO’S GIRL (12) is trained by Chris Waller. She’s been battling at her last few but gets her chance coming out to country level.

Bet: Navy Pier to win

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RACE 4: Acorp Country Boosted Hcp (C1) 1000m

BEYOND MY KEN (1) has steadily improved at each run this preparation. Just touched off by Star Amibition at his last start when back to 1000m. The short trip seems his go and he’s drawn favourably. NOVA CENTAURI (6) was a strong winner at Scone first-up from a break. Got all the way back to last before getting to the centre of the track and ripping home for a big win. TOUGH GUY (5) is a former Victorian and won by four on his stable debut. The strength of the race has to be questioned though.

Bet: Beyond My Ken to win

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RACE 5: Bengalla Cup 1280m

HULU (8) has won twice this preparation from four starts and went very close to another last time out in a good race at Mudgee. Had to make the long run on that occasion too when only beaten a head by Zulfiqar. CHIDIAC (7) is a four-time winner from five starts with her only defeat coming in Highway grade. Won by a furlong when returning at Scone and she drops 4kg on that effort. CONTRIBUTINGFACTOR (1) has been running well at the provincial level. The form out of his races has stood up reasonably well.

Bet: Hulu to win

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RACE 6: Scone Rural Supplies (Bm66) 1500m

SURREAL I AM (1) was narrowly denied two starts back at Gosford before not getting a clear shot at Newcastle at his latest start. Drawn to get the run of the race from barrier one with Andrew Gibbons in the saddle. BUSH TELEGRAPH (2) didn’t appreciate the heavy going last time out when carrying 60kg. Can improve here. DALE (3) is the horse owned by Matt Damon. Judging by his trials, and they’re just trials, I don’t think he’s come back as good as last prep. Still has the talent to be in the mix here though. TAIPAN LEGEND (10) next best.

Bet: Surreal I Am to win

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RACE 7: Power Fm (Bm58) 1280m

LIGHTNING SPEED (4) is drawn a tricky barrier but she’s come back in hot form and has the speed to overcome it. Just hope the track isn’t chopped up by this stage of the card. ALL TOO WILD (8) looks to have a promising future. Hasn’t been beaten far at all at her two starts this time in and she should be peaking third-up into the prep. CAPICELLA (3) and VIERVILLE (2) are worth considering too.

Bet: Lightning Speed to win