By Neil Evans
Track Soft 5, with Rail out 3m into a cut/away at the 300m so likely on-pace early before levelling out
Race 1 MAIDEN HCP (1280m): |
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Tricky race, with a couple of first-starters and most early in their first prep. Keen on Wyong gelding 5. Aytobe who is better suited over this trip being by Bullet Train after getting home from well back over 1100m at Scone in a deeper maiden. Sharpened up with a smart trial win, and can settle back with plenty of cover, and launch late.
Dangers: Punters shouldn't lose faith in Scone topweight 1. Galina at 14th start despite missing a place last three runs when hard in the market. Has shown ability to get home in tougher races, and will again appreciate the long run in. Nicely-bred Scone mare 10. Palais De Louvre has produced two steady runs this time in, and should peak third-up with form rider aboard; while Newcastle filly 11. Unforgettable was sound on debut at big odds and should improve again.
How to play it: Aytobe to win and box exacta 1-5-10.
Race 2 CL2 HCP (1450m): |
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Good competitive race. Beautifully bred unbeaten Newcastle filly 7. Angel Of Heaven resumes for leading stable with two quiet trials under her belt. Won both races as favourite at Pt Macquarie and Scone in the spring, and will be primed fresh.
Dangers: Loved the way Wyong mare 4. Bid 'N' Bare finished off second-up in good quality race at Newcastle, and should be peaking over this trip. Warwick Farm mare 2. Dublin Deva has come back big this prep, winning first-up at Bathurst and then powering home in a BM 65 at Canberra; but a little flattered by the "fast" lane that day and also rises in weight. Wyong gelding 1. Nitride zoomed home for an upset and dominant win at Hawkesbury, but is up in weight and this is tougher.
How to play it: Angel Of Heaven to win and box trifecta 2-4-7/1-2-4-7.
Race 3 BM 58 HCP (1750m): |
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Open race with plenty of chances. Newcastle mare 4. Azarose has improved in her two runs back from a spell against stronger, and drops to a more suitable grade here for leading trainer/rider combination.
Dangers: Scone trained 3. Harbouring is still on the rise after winning his maiden two back before well backed into a place this grade at Moree. Scone-trained 6. Timid is a fit and capable filly who finally won her maiden from the front last start; while rival Newcastle filly 8. Zizania defied a betting drift to easily win her maiden at Taree, and can be in the finish again. Keep a big watch on Newcastle gelding 7. Travchenko who was sent back to the trials after flopping badly last start, but previous form in this class was sound.
How to play it: Azarose to win.
Race 4 CL1 HCP (1000m): |
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Open battle for the speedsters, although one who should sit just off the pace looks the one to beat. Warwick Farm-based gelding 1. The Runner resumes off a nice trial win, and powered home to beat smart The Sheriff on debut at Nowra late last year.
Dangers: Another capable fresh sprinting gelding 2. Thiswilldous also resumes off a trial win, and Wyong stable is going well. Another Wyong 3YO gelding 3. Hard Reality rubber-stamped some consistent form with a maiden win here last start, but this looks tougher; while Tamworth 4YO 5. Akecheeta easily won his maiden as a hot favourite two runs back before flopping last start in much tougher grade, and should bounce back.
How to play it: The Runner to win.
The Runner wins a trial at Warwick Farm on March 22
Race 5 WAYNE HARRIS HCP (1280m): |
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Wide open all-aged tussle. Local 7YO 9. Star Shaft has had two encouraging runs back in town, and looks well weighted third-up from a good barrier.
Dangers: Age doesn't weary Tamworth 9YO 1. Mighty Like who charged home to win a similar BM 84 last start, but looks a little tough this time from a wide alley carrying an even bigger weight. Coonamble 6YO 7. A Martin Placepick hasn't started since the Country C'ship qualifier at Dubbo, but is down in weight and back in trip, and normally fires off a let-up; while Mudgee 5YO 8. Ori On Fire is a qualifier for the Country C'ship final, and has been freshened for this shorter trip, but draws a tricky gate.
How to play it: Star Shaft to win and first four 8-9/1-7-8-9-12.
Race 6 SKELLATAR SPRINT (1000m): |
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Pressure galore again for the speedsters. Scone mare 11. Falerina is smart and won two straight last spring including a BM 78 at Rosehill. Draws nicely on the limit weight, had a trial, and was scratched from Warwick Farm on Wednesday for this.
Dangers: High class Mudgee sprinter 14. I Am A Cool Kid who has never finished worse than second in five runs is the obvious threat. Hasn't started for six weeks when just caught late in a BM 70 at Canterbury, but looked ultra sharp in a Scone trial win, and also well weighted. Doubt anything else can win, although big watch on local 5YO 10. All Stand who draws well for his return and normally puts in a big one fresh. Both Wyong 6YO 8. Invincible Quest who will improve second-up and down in weight; and last-start Newcastle BM 75 winner 5. Don't Tease Me should be included across the exotics.
How to play it: Falerina to win; quinella 11 and 14; first four 11-14/5-8-10-11-14.
Race 7 MUSWELLBROOK GOLD CUP (1500m): |
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Feature race, with plenty of chances, that could be a real tactical battle from the half mile. Promising Randwick 4YO 5. Sondelon will park right on the speed from a good draw and looks the one to beat. Won a BM 76 at Rosehill last start beating Supernova who franked that form with a dominant win in BM 78 Saturday class a fortnight back.
Dangers: Consistent Warwick Farm trained gelding 6. Great Job has been freshened up after two metro runs, and looks a real chance at the weights; while Gosford 5YO 9. Invicta has really attacked the line in his last couple, and will be suited on the long run in. Taree 4YO 10. Blinkin Artie has been very consistent all prep, including a fast-finishing effort in a BM 70 at Rosehill last start, and draws to get nice cover midfield.
How to play it: Sondelon to win.
Sondelon wins at Rosehill on February 27
Race 8 BM 58 HCP (1280m): |
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Looks the right race second-up for ex-Victorian now Gosford based gelding 1. King Mombassa. Was well backed when hitting the line from off the speed first-up, and rider's 2kg claim is significant.
Dangers: Warwick Farm mare 8. Velocano improved to win a decent CL2 at Taree last start, and in well after rookie rider's 4kg claim. Tamworth veteran 7. St Luke is a little short of his best trip, but rarely runs a bad race, and from an inside draw will be strong late and is over the odds.
How to play it: King Mombassa to win.
All the fields, form and replays for Friday's Muswellbrook Cup meeting