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By Mark Brassel

Muswellbrook is rated a Good 3 with the rail out 5m from the 1000m-300m before the cutaway applies and TRUE the remainder. Monday's forecast is for a top of 35 degrees and mostly sunny with no rain.

Unraced galloper 4. HIMORHER ($2.80 on TAB) 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.

Dangers: Local mare 1. JODY GIRL ($7) 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 ($5 into $2.40 favourite) ran well on debut here but tended to race greenly but should be another to have improved since. 2. CROWN GUINEA ($7) 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

2. CRIME SPREE ($3.70 into $3.40) 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 ($2.80 into $2.30 fav) 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 ($4.20) was a goof 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 ($13) is best of the rest.

How to play it: Crime Spree to win; save with Pinky in quinella
Odds and Evens: Odds

Flying Artie mare 6. MISS VIOLET ($1.75 fav) 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 ($2.20) 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. R7. NO FILTER ($8) finished well to score at Gunnedah first-up but has been plain in two runs since; the only other possible hope in the race.

How to play it: Miss Violet to get the cash
Odds and Evens: Evens

The only two outings of 3. OBVIOUSLY ALBERT ($11) have both been solid. He finished well for third at Taree on debut when at big odds, then was badly away last time and ran on well to be just behind the placegetters. Has drawn (gate 3) to get a decent run and makes appeal.

Dangers: 2. DEVON COUNTRY ($7.50) is a big lump of a lad and although beaten a fair way in his Hawkesbury trial, he held second all the way down the straight and the 1500m should suit at his debut.  5. SMARTAWI ($2.50 fav) battled on well for second at Orange then folded up in the heavy conditions when last at Wyong. Back to the dry here and should improve markedly.

How to play it: Box 3-2-5 in a quinella
Odds and Evens: Odds

Topweight 1. FINAL STATEMENT ($3 fav) continues to race well. Was hooked very wide and kept coming when narrowly edged out at Tamworth following a placing at Dubbo. Has drawn nicely and will have Aaron Bullock to steer so must be respected.

Dangers: 3. GIRRAGULANG ($11) was just half a length behind Final Statement last start at his first run for six weeks and meets that horse half a kilo better so he must have claims. 5. ZORIA'S HERO ($6) has had several stable changes in just six starts and finished gamely to win here first-up for the Tim McIntosh camp. Could now go on with the job. 11. BRIDGES TO BABYLON ($7) hasn't raced since November when placed at Scone but doesn't win often (27/1-8-4).

How to play it: Final Statement to win and will give a great sight
Odds and Evens: Odds

3. EXTRA FLASH ($5) was placed at Rosehill back in November (beaten less than a length) which followed a solid Scone victory. He ran a sound sixth at Scone in his first run for a month and the way he hit the line you'd think the additional 180m look suitable here. He will derive plenty benefit from that outing,

Dangers: 2. JUMEIRAH BEACH ($2.10 fav) has been freshened since winning at Muswellbrook and Mudgee. Tries hard and should again figure in the finish here. 14. WHISPERING CATE ($12) ran a much-improved race at Tamworth and should receive a nice run from gate four.

How to play it: Extra Flash straight out
Odds and Evens: Odds

Debutant 7. HELLBETTA ($5.50) has had three trials and a key one was at Gosford when narrowly beaten by one of today’s rivals in 8. OAKFIELD EAGLE ($6.50). 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 ($2 fav) 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 ($7) has the benefit of race experience against the 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: R1 – 4. HIMORHER ($2.80), R3 – 6. MISS VIOLET ($1.75 fav)

BEST VALUE: R6 – 3. EXTRA FLASH ($6), R7 – 7. HELBETTA ($5.50)

View the final fields with full form & race replays for Muswellbrook here