Race-by-race preview and tips for Tuesday meeting at Muswellbrook
By John Schell
(Selections based on a good track)
Race 1 - 1.35pm: DK HEAVY PLANT SERVICES COUNTRY BOOSTED MAIDEN PLATE (1000m)
10. Russley Tiara debuted with a good second at Scone in February. She followed that up with a midfield effort at Scone and was then spelled. She has had a trial at Scone leading into this and should be primed for a bold first-up showing.
Racing heads to Muswellbrook on Tuesday.Credit: Jenny Evans
Dangers: 12. Fan Harder had contested a trial and won that leading into this debut effort. He looks to have his share of ability and can make an impact against this opposition. 1. Carbrook has been placed in four of seven starts and despite drawing wide in this he can improve enough on his latest start to figure in the minor money. 9. Miss Adamas is resuming from a spell and has 10 placings to her name from 19 starts. She ran third at this track two starts ago, and can figure in the money here.
How to play it: Russley Tiara to win.
Race 2 - 2.10pm: F.A.S.T FIRE PROTECTION MAIDEN PLATE (1500m)
8. Fiftyfiveschevy had a number of trials before debuting at Hawkesbury with a fifth behind Spanish Fox. He is lining up for his second start in a race here and is from a leading stable and should be poised to run well.
Dangers: 2. Mighty Zou has had two starts and hasn’t been disgraced in either of them. He should be primed to run well in this. 13. Reluctant Diva was midfield at Scone on debut and can improve on that here. 7. Tayla The Sailor has been close-up in three of her latest four starts and could show up here if she runs up to her best.
How to play it: Fiftyfivechevy to win.
Race 3 - 2:50pm: THE CHOP SHOP BUTCHERY BENCHMARK 58 HANDICAP (1750m)
1. Tapa Kick has a great record with two wins and a further seven placings from just nine starts. He was first over the line to win at Tamworth last time out only to be relegated to second on protest. He has the chance to atone for that in this event.
Dangers: 9. Perri Lass broke through to win her maiden at Taree at her latest start and that followed a second at the same track. She hits the line strongly and is worth plenty of thought again here. 6. Otium has been placed in each of his latest three starts and looks to have the ability to give this a shake if he can run up to his best. 3. Better Explain has been behind the placings of late but hasn’t been disgraced. He is far from the worst in this.
How to play it: Tapa Kick to win.
Race 4 - 3.25pm: MUSWELLBROOK WORKERS CLUB MAIDEN HANDICAP (1280m)
14. You Wahng comes into this on the back of a dominant barrier trial victory. She looks to have her share of talent and has the rails alley which is to her advantage.
Dangers: 11. Exclusive Artist is on debut and has had a number of trials in preparation. She has plenty of upside and should run well. 9. Lucilago resumed from a spell with a close-up midfield Hawkesbury effort and can show up in this if she can repeat that effort. 1. Ramius is an on-pace runner who has been placed in each of his last three starts and is worth including among the main chances.
How to play it: Mougenot to win.
Race 5 - 4.05pm: THE ROYAL HOTEL COUNTRY BOOSTED BENCHMARK 58 HANDICAP (1280m)
1. Smart Shot had solid form before nothing went right at Warren in July. He won a Tamworth trail after that and then returned to the same track, and came from back in the field to charge home and score a dominant victory. He’s a gelding that has plenty of upside and should take plenty of beating again in this company.
Dangers: 2. Proud With Pride went down narrowly when finishing second at this track at her latest start. She has a handy record and is not out of this. 5. Chestime resumed from a spell with a solid second at Tamworth, then wasn’t beaten far at Newcastle last time out. She can figure here if anywhere near her best. 8. Chesteray backed up some solid recent runs when scoring a good win at Tamworth at his latest start. He is racing well enough to give this a shake.
How to play it: Smart Shot to win.
Race 6 - 4.40pm: NOW LISTEN DOT! HAPPY RETIREMENT BENCHMARK 66 HANDICAP (1000m)
2. Lord Bob raced on the speed and battled on too well to score a win at Tamworth when last produced. That came on the back of a second at Queanbeyan. He should benefit from the apprentice allowance in this and if he runs up to his latest performance he should be hard to hold out in this.
Dangers: 9. Runranirun debuted with a runaway victory at Newcastle when scoring by more than eight lengths. She looks talented and can go on with the job despite the rise in class. 5. Telegraph won well at Taree at his latest start and there’s no reason he can’t run right up to that in this. 3. Sixspeed won a couple on end at Tuncurry earlier in the year then ran fourth at Scone before
winning at Taree and being spelled. He resumes here after a quiet trial.
How to play it: Lord Bob each-way.
Race 7 - 5.20pm: PIRTEK MUSWELLBROOK CLASS 1 HANDICAP (1000m)
4. Savoldi raced on the speed and went on with the job to score a win on debut at Newcastle. He’s drawn wide here but is from a form stable with Reece Jones to ride and looks to have the talent to give this a big shake.
Dangers: 6. Saratoga Power has drawn wide but has a win and two placings from just three starts and can overcome the wide gate to race well here. 3. Pearls Treasure is first-up from a spell in this and has had two trials to prepare for a bold first-up showing. 10. Altercation resumed from a spell for a new stable when scoring a win at Tuncurry. She led throughout in that event and can take plenty of running down again.
How to play it: Savoldi to win.
Best Bets
Race 3 (1) Tapa Kick
Race 5 (1) Smart Shot
Best Value
Race 6 (2) Lord Bob
Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au