By Neil Evans
Track soft 7 and rail true.
Race 1
7. Extraglow is an emerging filly by renowned wet-track sire Extreme Choice in a leading metropolitan stable. Came off two winning trials to lead for a long way on debut at Gosford and the drop back a furlong in trip is a big plus for one with natural speed. 3. Woodrow looks the clear threat from a frontline provincial yard returning as a gelding for a second prep. Won the first of two trials and bred to get through soft ground. Gap to the rest headed by 6. Zoushadow, a country mare by Zoustar on debut, and also bred to handle the going.
How to play it: Extraglow to win.
Racing returns to Muswellbrook on Momday.Credit: Jenny Evans
Race 2
3. Surpasser is a tough provincial three-year-old which can peak at goods at his fourth start. Looked home at Port last start over this trip before missing by a nose and right at peak fitness now for a race where there isn’t much speed about. 2. Are You Kidding ran home hard from near the back behind a dominant winner at only his second start. Has plenty of ability and will likely jump a short-priced favourite, but under the odds getting back from the inside draw. 1. Valentiago was only plain when holding his ground at Kembla when coming off a four-week break. Can improve in a race with less depth, but would prefer a firmer surface. 4. Bohemian Art is an improving Armidale mare which ran home well in that same race as the top selection and can settle a little closer in the run here.
How to play it: Surpasser to win.
Race 3
10. Highland Dancer is a promising Armidale filly which went under on debut as a hot favourite when unsuited on an unreliable and tight track. Much better placed here drawn out on a far more spacious circuit and is bred to relish wet ground. 6. Velka is trained on the course and can peak third-up from the inside draw. 4. Morpeth shapes over the odds improving into his second start. 3. Civilian is by boom sire Wootton Bassett and a market watch on debut behind two quiet trials. 5. Toke is another local stepping up in distance third-up and the best of the rest.
How to play it: Highland Dancer to win.
Race 4
4. How Much Better is a provincially based five-year-old primed to finally snap a run of close finishes and grab a third win, a month between runs. Beat all bar the winner at the provincials before missing by a long head against deeper metro opposition. Was only fair at Warwick Farm last time out, but the drop back to country level and a furlong in trip is the right recipe. 1. Kranich found the line well when resuming in similar company and is already a second-up winner. Building a smart record for a leading Dubbo stable, although back up sharply in weight. 5. Nomorenightshift is very fit deep into the campaign and a knockout chance from the inside barrier. 6. Miss Rebel is a home tracker reloading four weeks between runs via a dominant trial win, with winkers back on. Fellow local 7. Smoke On The Water ran home impressively in a Class 3 Highway first-up, but was well beaten in Saturday’s Highway at Randwick and is unlikely to back up in two days.
How to play it: How Much Better to win.
Race 5
1. Jasper’s Way is a progressive Dubbo four-year-old which was good late first-up in a handy BM 58. Drawn to get to the outside over a shade further and unbeaten from two starts in heavy going. 3. Sipping Shamus was a dominant all-the-way maiden winner second-upand this isn’t much harder. 4. Commando Jack is right in the mix getting back on his preferred rain-affected ground fourth-up from a let-up. 5. Damascus Gate, with some overdue weight relief, and at bigger odds 2. Strobing, with blinkers back on, both go in trifecta and first four plays.
How to play it: Jasper’s Way to win.
Race 6
3. Piccaderro is a talented provincial four-year-old which only has to find some early cover from the wide gate to take care of this lot second-up. Powered home for a smart maiden win when resuming and right at home in soft or heavy ground. 7. Vicious Rumour is on a seven-day back-up after finally snapping a run of near misses with an easy maiden win at Dubbo, but untried in the going. 1. Prosperous Dragon is a betting watch first-up from a handy trailing draw behind two trials. 5. Lune D’excellence was a dominant maiden winner two starts back and can run a race at good odds; while 12. Love That Girl reloads three weeks after a nice debut win at Armidale.
How to play it: Piccaderro to win.
Race 7
4. Viipuri is a lightly raced and emerging metro-based three-year-old suitably placed to strike first-up in only his third start. Fitted with two improving trials and bolted in when on debut in the country last spring. 5. Nevermista is honest having beaten all but the winner in his last three. 6. Our Emily is trained here and pulled off a strong betting move when scoring a first-up win in a weak Class 1. 2. Super Freds, on preferred soft ground, and 3. Sapphire Kiss, which is deep into the campaign, are both capable of running into the money at good odds.
How to play it: Viipuri to win.
Best bets
Race 1: 7. Extra Glow
Race 7: 4. Viipuri
Best value
Race 6: 3. Piccaderro
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Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: www.smh.com.au
