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

2 hours ago 1

By John Schell

January 12, 2026 — 4.53pm

Selections based on a soft track.

Race 1

4. Difensivo is from the form stable of trainer Nacim Dilmi and comes into this on the back of a third at Gosford at his fourth run. He ran second at this track at his second start and only needs to run up to that to be in the mix. 2. Are You Kidding is on debut for the Paul Messara and Leah Gavranich camp and has only had one trial in preparation, in which he finished fifth at Scone. He looks poised to run well. 11. Silent Serenade has only had three starts and has been placed in each of them: a second on debut at Tamworth followed by two thirds at the same track. 9. Lady Segosha is a filly having her first start, and she’s had two trials either side of a break.
How to play it: Difensivo to win.

Racing returns to Muswellbrook on Tuesday.

Race 2

10. Pierro’s Girl has been placed in four of 12 starts, and since resuming from a spell for a new stable, has run ninth at this track and a much better last-start fourth at Taree. She was formerly trained by Chris Waller and strikes a nice race to break through. 6. Stuck In The Gorge has only had two starts and ran well in both: a debut fourth at Scone, followed by a third at Inverell when beaten less than a length. 5. Blackthorn is on debut, has had three trials and bears close watching. 4. William’s Smile has been racing well with four straight placings and warrants respect.
How to play it: Pierro’s Girl to win.

Race 3

2. Kirkall had two starts in his initial preparation for a second at Kempsey on debut and a third at Casino. He’s had two trials in preparation for this return and should run well fresh. 4. Bellarata is on debut and has finished fourth in two trials. 5. Canadian Fling is a stablemate of Bellarata, and is also having her first start after a number of trials and bears close watching. 1. Purple Haze has been placed in one of three starts and resumes here on the back of two trials.
How to play it: Kirkall each way.

Race 4

10. Josephine was a winner on debut at Gunnedah in May and then was beaten less than a length when fourth at Dubbo before being spelled. She resumes here after a good trial and should be prominent. 4. Zouking ran fourth on debut and then resumed last month with a strong win as favourite at Kempsey. Looks hard to hold out. 2. Capital Dancer is first up from a spell, and she has a good overall record. 1. Bent As Hell won her maiden at Newcastle in January and resumes here after a fourth at Wyong in February.
How to play it: Josephine to win.

Race 5

1. Bomarea is classy with four wins and six placings from 17 starts. She ran second at Port Macquarie before being spelled and has been close up in a Taree trial in preparation for this return. 1. Play My Song won two in a row at this track and Scone before being spelled and warrants respect. 10. Boss has had two runs back from a break and is ready to peak. 4. Rivkin is a former Victorian on debut for a new stable and won a recent trial at Wyong.
How to play it: Bomarea to win.

Race 6

2. Mellencamp went to the front in a small field at Taree when last produced and dictated terms to score a strong win. He has the advantage of an apprentice claim and a good gate. 2. Zoomorphic dominated from the front to win at Scone two starts ago and then was close up when sixth behind Bend The Knee on the Beaumont track at Newcastle. 4. Ghaznavi just got there when winning at Mudgee before a last-start seventh at Tamworth. He has the talent to improve in this. 5. Naftali followed a win at Wellington with a fourth behind Ghaznavi at Mudgee and has solid place claims.
How to play it: Mellencamp to win.

Race 7

10 Crimson Wings was midfield in a two-year-old race at Rosehill on debut and was then spelled. She resumed with an all-the-way win on the Beaumont track at Newcastle and then followed that up with a last-start second at Gosford. 4. Halo Phemonena dictated terms to score a last-start win at Bathurst and should take plenty of running down. 12. Oh Deer was a winner at Tuncurry two starts ago and was subsequently only beaten two lengths when eighth at Taree. She can take plenty of running down in this. 14. Tulipwood was a winner at Wyong three starts ago and has since been down the track in tougher grade on the Kensington track at Randwick before an improved last-start fourth at Canberra.
How to play it: Crimson Wings to win.