Race-by-race preview and tips for Muswellbrook on Monday
By Neil Evans
Race 1 MAIDEN PLATE (1500m)
10. Red Rags To Bulls is primed to open her account at the fifth attempt, with blinkers being added, slipping back to Malden company. Has been right there in all four runs so far beaten under a length each time, the latest rushing home in heavy ground at Scone against deeper CL1 opposition. Soft ground is a further plus, and after a 2kg claim, she’s clearly the best placed in a set weights event.
Dangers: 9. Lonhreel hit the line late when resuming at Tamworth. 7. Supercrisp can run into the minor money coming through that same form line as the top selection..
How to pay it: Red Rags To Bulls to win
Racing returns to Muswellbrook on Monday.Credit: Phil Carrick
Race 2 MAIDEN HCP (1280m)
3. Withstand can peak at his third start over more ground. Hit the line late on debut here before again doing his best work late over a shorter trip when backed from $3.80 into $2.60. Desperate for this trip now, and can finish over his rivals in a race lacking depth.
Dangers: 7. Magic Sorcerer resumes off two progressive trials with gear changes including winkers on for the first time. 1. Steel Claws ran home OK here into a place second up.
How to play it: Withstand to win
Race 3 BENCHMARK 66 HCP (1500m)
8. Behind The Storm can cash in on a significant drop in class. Has twice been fair through the line in much tougher Highway fields at Randwick, but a drop back in trip and finding somewhat firmer going are keys to success. Will carry the minimum 55kg weight after the jockey’s claim.
Dangers: 4. Bertie relishes rain-affected going and shoots for three straight wins. 5. Golden Honour won two straight in weaker company before a fair closing effort at Kempsey.
How to play it: Behind The Storm to win
Race 4 MAIDEN PLATE (1000m)
2. Here Comes Hogan can go one better third-up. Has been strong through the line in two runs this prep, and finds a thinner race on a suitably bigger track with a more experienced rider on board. The one to beat staying at the trip.
Dangers: 4. Viaconi only has to reproduce a solid closing effort in a metro Super Maiden last time to be right in the finish. Hard to see the winner coming from anywhere else.
How to play it: Here Comes Hogan to win
Race 5 FILLIES & MARES BENCHMARK 66 HCP (1280m)
2. Lady Soames is gunning for a second win from her last three. Came off a six-week break to cut loose from well back and claim a country BM 58 before doing her best work late again in a deeper CL3 when not getting the smoothest of runs. Suited on the bigger and wide stretch here, and this is her best trip, settling back and closing hard again.
Dangers: 5. Christa was good late when resuming in a handy CL3, although some query at the price coming back in distance six weeks between runs. 1. Silver Halo dropping back from deeper provincial and city races nd with blinkers added can pump alue into trifecta and first four returns.
How to play it: Lady Soames to win
Race 6 CLASS 1 HCP (1000m)
9. Dravid can go right on with the job after leading all the way on debut here a fortnight back through heavy going. Naturally mode depth in this, but there were some handy sprinters behind her that day.
Dangers: 4. Not Written Off resumes off a 33-week break and two forward trials after swapping one Scone stable for another. 3. Koga Ninja has trialled well and normally comes to hand early.
How to play it: Dravid to win
Race 7 BENCHMARK 74 HCP (1000m)
1. Outishka has tactical speed and can make it back-to-back wins. Boxed on for a long way after leading on a bog track when resuming before being ridden just off the speed and finishing best in a provincial BM 64. That win reads well for this over 100m further, and she thrives in soft going.
Dangers: 8. Last Frontier is the big threat resuming without blinkers off two impressive trials. 11. Fill A Promise shoots for a fifth straight win after leading all the way in heavy going at Quirindi four weeks ago.
How to play it: Outishka to win
BEST BETS: Race 2 (3) WITHSTAND; Race 4 (2) HERE COMES HOGAN
BEST VALUE: R7 1. OUTISHKA
Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au