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By Ray Hickson

Tips and race by race preview by Ray Hickson for Sunday’s Muswellbrook meeting. Selections based on a soft track.

12. Snizzi did more than enough on debut running a closing third here a few weeks ago to suggest he can improve with the run and the extra trip. Was solid in betting there and he looks the horse to beat.

Dangers: 8. Kirameki was disappointing, particularly late, when resuming at Port Macquarie but that was a 1210m race and she was placed over this course back in February. Entitled to another chance. 10. Regimental Music is a well bred mare who might appreciate the extra distance after a fair debut at 1200m at Tamworth. Was beaten 11 lengths there but it was behind a runaway winner. No surprise if she improves a bit. 13. Jubilant ran a much improved race at Ramworth when out to 1400m and could make further progress here. Each-way.

How to play it: Snizzi WIN ($1.75 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: EVENS.

Snizzi runs third at Muswellbrook on July 31

3. Rebel’s Edge has drawn wide in both runs back and happy to forgive the Highway failure and go on his fast finishing second at Scone when resuming. Draws much softer this time for the step up in distance and has a good chance.

Dangers: 7. Barry’s Lane was very brave scoring an overdue on pace win at Forbes three weeks ago and he’s set to give a good sight on pace again. 5. Tornado Light finished alongside Rebel’s Edge at Scone then even effort behind Air To Air at Newcastle. Back a notch in class here and has to be considered. 2. Osman led all the way to an easy win at Forbes on the same day as Barry’s Lane, running a couple of lengths slower time. Won two of last three so no reason he won’t be competitive again.

How to play it: Rebel’s Edge E/W ($5.50 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Rebel’s Edge runs second at Scone on July 15

3. Dimension had no luck at all first-up for the new stable and should have finished closer than fourth, beaten a couple of lengths. Fitter for that and was placed up to 1500m in Victoria so the extra ground will help. Go close.

Dangers: 2. Reggie’s Boy ran first or second in all four starts last time in and his longest losing margin was just over a length. Trialled twice coming into this and if he’s back in similar form he should be hard to beat. 6. The Mitchell Snail did a good job to score on debut at Gunnedah a month ago and everything about him says he wants further than 1000m. Was off just one trial so has to be scope for improvement. Respect. 8. Kanalaide was a drifter in betting first-up at Tamworth but did make some late ground into fifth from near the tail. Tends to improve with a run so no surprise if he’s in the finish somewhere.

How to play it: Dimension WIN ($4.20 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Dimension runs fourth at Tamworth on August 2

12. Red Cobra showed some promise in his first campaign with three third placings in April all on heavy tracks. Nice enough trial leading in and may well appreciate a bit firmer footing here. Draws well and if that’s the case he will take beating.

Dangers: 13. Les Girls has the blinkers on and did have excuses for not finishing a bit closer when resuming at Tamworth. Was well supported there so must be given another chance. 1. Bottom Bar could well be an improver after two starts in provincial maidens. Led and knocked up in both but back to country grade and 1000m gives him a chance to lift. 10. Dispute ran a handy race on debut then safely held in a strong two-year-old event at Scone in March. One to keep a close eye on.

How to play it: Red Cobra WIN ($2.50 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Red Cobra runs third at Wyong in April

3. Russian Standard has a mortgage on this race if he can get out of the gates cleanly. Drawn wide but has speed and won’t find an easier race to get on the board. He was forced to trial again after being a late scratching from his planned return.

Dangers: 9. Wave was a bit hit and miss last time in, and is a 17 start maiden, but best effort was a second to Le Melody at this track in January and if she runs up to that she has a good chance in this field. 8. Ranhita is an interesting runner who has only trialled once and wasn’t asked for a whole lot finishing a couple of lengths off the winner at Wyong just over a week ago. Any support would be significant. 7. Magna Amour didn’t want to be there after copping an early check second-up at Taree so overlook that. First-up run was okay and from a soft gate she has a good chance to find her form.

How to play it: Russian Standard WIN ($1.45 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Russian Standard wins a Tamworth trial in July

9. Whispering Cate is racing very well just finding one better at her past couple. Hit the line strongly behind a handy one at Newcastle last time and she would only have to hold her form to be in the finish again.

Dangers: 2. She’s Independent led them up in the same race and weakened out of it late to run fourth. Previous form honest and has won a couple at this track. Entitled to another look. 3. Yulong Monoceros can be forgiven for her last start at Warwick Farm on a heavy 10, this is a bit easier and she was very good winning at Grafton over the carnival. Worth including in the main chances. 7. Verzenay disappointed at Hawkesbury last time out but previous form was handy enough including a maiden win at Wyong. Draws okay and could measure up.

How to play it: Whispering Cate WIN ($4.40 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Whispering Cate runs second at Newcastle on August 6

4. Eliseo comes back in distance after he warmed up strongly late into fourth at Forbes second-up. Placed at his only start this track and distance and sure to be hitting the line again here.

Dangers: 2. Mezinjit hasn’t raced for two months since a narrow but popular win at Scone in mid-June. Didn’t come up in prep prior so if she can reproduce the latest effort she’s right in this. 8. Timerox hasn’t raced for over 18 months but he did show some ability as a younger horse. Took it easy in his latest trial and although drawn wide if there’s support for him he could show up.

How to play it: Eliseo E/W ($8.00 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: EVENS.

2. Polylithic demolished his rivals when he returned from nine months off at Scone in late July. Crossed from the wide gate and put over four lengths on them in the run home. Surely an extra 100m is no issue and he could repeat.

Dangers: 11. Memoria defied a betting drift to win on debut at Tamworth a couple of weeks ago, and was quite strong late. If there’s improvement it would not surprise to see her go right on with the job. 12. Entrez Boo is a former Victorian mare who hasn’t raced since March 2021. She was quite honest and on the trial evidence she appears to be coming along okay. Nicely drawn and might be one to keep safe. 7. Prudish won first-up last time in at 900m and was close up in a couple of subsequent runs. Contested a very strong trial at Kembla won by Zapateo and from barrier one she’s not to be undersold fresh.

How to play it: Polylithic WIN ($2.90 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Polylithic wins at Scone on July 25

All the fields, form and replays for Sunday’s Muswellbrook meeting