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

Track Good 4 and rail out 3m from 1000m to 300m & True the remainder.

RACE 1

2. Sanzeno is a sparingly raced five-year-old who can peak second-up over significantly more ground. Did his best work late in a smarter CL2 when fresh, and can springboard off that in a moderate affair over 300m further, with the leading jockey taking over. 1. Hibiki Harmony is a consistent campaigner who was only run down in the last few strides here third-up in stronger grade. Only needs to get across OK from a wide draw, and will be in the finish. 3. Shadow Dane is closing in on another win fourth-up after working home late in his last couple against better opposition; while stablemate 4. Talkachino back in grade third-up heads the rest.

How to play it: Sanzeno to win

Eight races are set down for Monday at Muswellbrook.Credit: Fairfax Media

RACE 2

4. Deel Me A Queen is a lightly raced and talented mare who has this at her mercy for the Messara-Gavranich camp second-up. Worked hard early before driving clear late to win her maiden fresh, and the second horse from that race then easily won her maiden next start. Drawn to get a soft run, and will be very strong late. 1. Tillstrom is an emerging Armidale four-year-old who finished best on debut, and can run the quinella. 5. Khamis resuming from a low draw and soft trial, and 8. Kickoff back a shade in distance; can fight for the minor money.

How to play it: Deel Me A Queen to win

RACE 3

12. Pontevedra, a colt from the same Scone yard as the previous on top selection, is the one to beat. Failed on debut at Newcastle as a well supported favourite after becoming stirred up before the race, and the winner that day has since won a BM 64 easily at Hawkesbury. 11. Magic Merlin is well bred, and a big market watch on debut for the Cavanough stable behind two trials. Stablemate 4. Souls Companion is a first starter by Sir Prancealot fitted with two trials. 2. Nulkaba Star is the best of the rest second-up, with winkers going on.

How to play it: Pontevedra to win

RACE 4

11. Twoexcel is a provincial-based filly who can break through at good odds in just her second start. Blinkers go on, and she’s drawn to get a soft run on a far bigger and more suitable track. 8. Capsity is well placed resuming from the inside draw off two improving trials. 2. Hillewie is a debutant five-year-old by Churchill from a local and specialist sprinting stable, and an obvious betting watch behind a quiet trial. 12. Won’thearmecoming is a provincial-based filly by Hanseatic on debut, with gear additions, and has been in work for some time.

How to play it: Twoexcel to win

RACE 5

4. Whil To Win is a progressive metropolitan mare primed to go back-to-back third-up. Didn’t fire fresh from well off the speed, but taken to the front last time at Newcastle and careered away over the same short course trip, running 33 seconds flat for her last 600m, despite drifting in betting. With that experience, she’s capable of winning races far beyond a moderate Class 1. 3. Third Base is a lightly raced home tracker with ability, and ready to show his best third-up and dropping in class. Gap to the rest headed by 5. Archaic Force who finds a thinner race fourth-up, and 6. Nevermista who has beaten all bar the winner twice against similar opposition this prep, and draws the inside.

How to play it: Whil To Win to win

RACE 6

14. Verity is an emerging filly who can cap a big day for her Scone stable by breaking through at second start. Showed plenty of her sire The Autumn Sun’s finishing power by charging from the back into a place here on debut after being backed from $5.00 into $3.80. Stronger jockey takes over, and the course experience and longer journey are both big pluses. 3. Villa Castina will likely jump clear favourite fourth-up, dropping sharply back from Listed company at Randwick where she held her own from midfield at big odds. Hard fit for this, although still wouldn’t be charging into too short a price. 1. Brilliant Knight returns off a long break for only his third start, and has been fitted to run this trip out with two spaced trials up to 1000m. 10. Gold Capital goes in wider exotic plays.

How to play it: Verity to win

RACE 7

2. Lady Zodiac is an underrated provincial mare who can return off a 23-week break with a bang. Mixed her form through four runs last prep up to BM 64 level, but this isn’t strong, and she can fire on the fresh side from a handy trailing draw. 4. Bold Design is a threat second-up despite drawing off the track. 7. Pelette is trained on the course, and suited coming back a furlong in distance deep into her prep and on a quick back-up. Gap to the rest headed by 5. Chaserlette resuming off a long break, and 12. Battle Reign who is trained here, and resumes off two trials.

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How to play it: Lady Zodiac to win

RACE 8

10. Supairo is an improving six-year-old well-placed deep into his campaign. Hit the line to miss narrowly in a country BM 58 before a freshen-up, then ran home OK behind a smart winner in a CL2 here a fortnight ago. That form reads well for this in what is an average line-up for the grade, and the dryer the track the better he likes it. 2. Beau Bandit comes off a tough BM 64 provincial win third-up at big odds. 3. Lease has been up for a long time, but drawn to get an economical run on-speed. 11. Sammiballerina can peak coming out of that same race here as the top selection, while 8. Smart Jazz is honest and did bolt in a weaker race two starts back.

How to play it: Supairo to win

BEST BETS: R2 4. DEEL ME A QUEENR3 12. PONTEVEDRA
BEST VALUE: R5 4. WHIL TO WIN

Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au

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