Race-by-race preview and tips for Muswellbrook on Sunday

Selections based on a soft track.

Race 1

2. Magic Merlin is lightly raced with six starts to his name and he’s been placed in four of them. He finished second when resuming at this track and then ran second again at Gunnedah before a last-start fourth at Scone. This looks a nice race for him to break through in. 3. Ocean Predator is on debut for the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott stable and has had two recent trials in preparation. He looms as a leading contender. 1. Gold Earth hit the line well when a last-start second at Bathurst and has claims with a repeat of that performance. 5. Maremoto has had three starts and comes into this on the back of a last-start third at Newcastle at her second run back from a spell. She can be prominent with a repeat of that effort.

How to play it: Magic Merlin WIN.

Race 2

1. I’m Flexible was big odds when making his debut at Tamworth when not disgraced with a seventh placing. He should have derived benefit from that experience and be expected to improve on that effort. 4. Tralee was resuming from a spell when a last-start third at Tamworth and can figure in the finish of this with a repeat of that effort. 6. Shakespeare’s Girl ran third in her most recent two starts before being spelled and resumes in this on the back of a trial at this track. 7. Thirty Degrees is speedy and can give cheek from the inside barrier.

How to play it: I’m Flexible WIN.

Race 3

4. Elska has had three starts and followed a couple of midfield efforts at Newcastle with a second at Port Macquarie when racing on the speed and fighting on well to the line. She should take up a prominent position again and take plenty of beating. 5. Magatama was just behind the placings in her first two starts and resumes here on the back of a Gosford trial win. She was engaged to run at Quirindi last Tuesday only to be a late scratching. 7. Sicilian Heat is on debut and has had a solid grounding with a number of barrier trials. A bold showing would not surprise. 9. Cool Art is resuming after running at Warwick Farm in February when tailing the field home.

How to play it: Elska WIN.

Race 4

3. Tulipwood is first-up from a spell and has had two trials at Scone and this track in preparation. She was a winner at Wyong last November and finished second at this track in January before heading for a break. 4. Wootten It Be Nice ran third at this track two starts ago and then tailed the field home at Kembla Grange. She can improve here. 6. Lune D’Excellence ran third at Tamworth when last produced and has claims with a repeat of that. 2. Purple Rose has been placed in a couple on end before a last-start eighth at Wyong.

How to play it: Tulipwood EACH WAY.

Race 5

1. Manoora won with ease when resuming from a spell for a new stable at Dubbo. She followed that up with a close-up third at this track when beaten just over half a length and she looks set to atone in this event if the breaks go her way. 5. City Gold Speed has been racing well with two placings from his past two starts at Taree and Gunnedah. He can give a sight again. 4. Archaic Force resumed from a spell with a fourth at Coonabarabran and should be better for that hitout. 3. Bellerata justified favouritism to score a resuming win at Gunnedah and can be thereabouts again.

How to play it: Manoora WIN.

Race 6

8. Hinune won well at Goulburn three starts ago and then was midfield at Scone before a solid display when a last-start second behind Avista at this track. Avista since went to Randwick to score a strong win on Saturday. 5. Unreal Expectation hasn’t been disgraced in a couple of recent city starts and will find this much more to his liking. 3. Invasive Dreams finished third behind Avista and Hinune when last produced and can show up again, while 6. Strobing was a last-start second placegetter at Port Macquarie and has claims on the strength of that performance.

How to play it: Hinune WIN.

Race 7

1. Where’stheprofit is resuming from a spell and was in winning form at the end of his last campaign, scoring twice in a row at Dubbo and Scone. He has four wins and two seconds in total from eight starts and has had two trials in preparation for this, winning one at this track before a fifth at Tamworth. He looks primed to sprint well fresh. 2. Occult won as favourite at Scone two starts ago and followed that up with an eighth against tougher opposition on the Kensington track at Randwick. This looks more suitable. 4. Cresta Run hasn’t been far away with two fourths from her past two starts since resuming and can show up again. 3. Gail Jeanette won at Dubbo before failing at Bathurst when last produced. She can improve.

How to play it: Where’stheprofit WIN.

Best Bets: Race 1 (2) Magic Merlin.

Race 6 (8) Hinune.

Best Value: Race 4 (3) Tulipwood.

Supplied by Racing NSW