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By Ray Hickson

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

10. Kambundji comes into this race on debut with just the one public trial but it was a promising hitout at Scone recently and she can only have upside from it. In good hands and bears close watching.

Dangers: 9. Joyzel has been in the market at all five starts to date and been a bit hit and miss to be fair. Trialled twice with the latest just over a week ago and she should be in the firing line for a long way. 6. Shreve was a big drifter in betting on debut here a couple of weeks back and just faded late after racing on speed. May have needed it given the price drift so could be an improver and is a definite chance. 3. Geewiz Johnny ran an even race on debut back in October then spelled. Interesting recent trial, led by a big margin then taken hold of and went down narrowly. No surprise if he gives a sight.

How to play it: Kambundji WIN ($7.00 TAB Fixed Odds) Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Kambundji runs third in a trial at Scone on May 25

6. Ballon Bleu would appreciate a track upgrade but she’s looked pretty handy in her couple of recent trials, and was strong on the line winning her latest at Rosehill. Not sure a wide gate is a big deal and she should run well.

Dangers: 10. Luna Volanti was scratched from Newcastle on Saturday for this and she wasn’t asked for anything late in her trial a bit over a month ago. Must be kept very safe. 13. The Audacious One is locally trained and at her only trial appearance shaped up pretty well on soft ground at Scone. No surprise if she shows up. 4. Mother Joy hasn't trialled publicly since winning at Grafton back in January but has shown ability. Watch betting.

How to play it: Ballon Bleu WIN ($2.60 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: EVENS.

Ballon Bleu wins a trial at Rosehill on May 20

5. Mussenphere hit the line nicely first-up but wasn’t as effective last time out in the heavy at Port Macquarie. Inclined to give her another chance on that fresh effort in the wet.

Dangers: 7. Puerto Rico made a promising return at Tamworth on a soft track and has the blinkers going on again. Open to improvement on that and is one of the chances. 1. Emerald’s Son tried hard when placed at Newcastle last week and coming down a notch from provincial grade, even though this is a Class 2, is a plus. Go well. 3. Den Moss is fitter for one run back and notched his maiden win on a soft 7 at Gosford so should handle the ground. Keep in mind.

How to play it: Mussenphere WIN ($3.90 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Mussenphere's first-up run at Port Macquarie on April 24

4. Wategos looks a promising type and he attacked the line with purpose to score over this track and trip a couple of weeks ago. Up in class obviously but does handle the conditions and has all the upside.

Dangers: 7. Anchor’s Point posted a maiden win here in mid-April before a solid second when up in class at Tamworth. May be a slight query on a very heavy track but is going well. 6. Epic Time rebounded from a debut failure to win at Dubbo coming from well off them on the bend. Could go on with it. 1. Military Parade was never a factor fresh but much less depth here and possible improver.

How to play it: Wategos WIN ($2.40 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Wategos wins at Muswellbrook on May 22

7. In Spades is up in class but couldn’t have been more impressive scoring over this course a couple of weeks ago on a heavy track. Fit and in-form and that will take her a long way to being competitive.

Dangers: 3. Cinque Torri was a heavy track winner in November and fitter for two recent trials, the latest he was sooled on to win at Warwick Farm. Yet to place in two first-up attempts but did run fourth fresh last prep. Definite chance. 5. Two Ya Got has been mixing distances of late and led them up before fading when beaten two lengths in a Highway at Gosford. This is easier and he’s worth another chance. 4. Freddie Eddie has been consistent of late and gave a sight when leading before holding third here two weeks ago. Has a show.

How to play it: In Spades E/W ($4.40 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: ODDS.

In Spades wins at Muswellbrook on May 22

4. Misere is on debut for Bjorn Baker and she showed some ability with a strong win over 1200m in her latest trial. Drawing out might not be so bad by this stage of the day and if she runs up to her trial has a good chance.

Dangers: 2. Regalo D’Oro led and gave a sight in the heavy at Mudgee then favourite and battled on fairly at Dubbo up to a soft 5. Blinkers go on and is entitled to another chance. 9. Grecian Lass has trialled twice ahead of her first-up run here and she's one to keep safe. Form so far mixed but on best efforts worth including. 11. Ningaloo Star showed some speed on debut in a strong city two-year-old maiden before weakening. Wouldn't surprise if she's an improver.

How to play it: Misere WIN ($4.80 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: EVENS.

Misere wins a trial at Warwick Farm on May 27

2. Plague Stone can be very hit and miss but resumes on the back of a runaway trial win on heavy ground here recently. First run for new stable. This is his best set up to run well for a while and he has to be respected.

Dangers: 7. Tim’s Principal got a long way back first-up at Gunnedah and worked home pretty well. Usually improves with racing and while he does need the breaks to win he’s capable of showing up. 13. Zouologist usually runs well fresh and while he has only won three from 34 he's consistent and handles all conditions. Can show up in a race that's fallen away. 14. Big Surprise has disappointed in two runs since an even first-up effort at Warwick Farm. Won two from three at this track and this is a chance for him to find some form.

How to play it: Plague Stone WIN ($3.40 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Plague Stone wins a trial at Muswellbrook on May 22

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