Muswellbrook has seven races on Monday and the track is rated a Soft 5. Form on soft ground matters a lot here, and each of the first three races has a short-priced favourite.
Crime Of Passion in Race 3 is our best bet. Imelda in Race 1 and Doralee in Race 2 are too short to back on their own but are strong multi legs. Harvey’s Turn in Race 6 is our value play.
Race 1 - Ken Barnett Memorial Maiden Handicap (1500m)
Selection: Imelda Current odds: $1.15
Imelda was only just beaten on debut at this track and should be fitter for that run. Aaron Bullock rides, and she is the clear form runner. At $1.15 she is best used in multis. Mission Strike resumes from a 45-week break and is the main danger if he is fit. Crispy Leaves drops back in trip and in class, and Cool Art comes from a good stable at big odds.
Selections:
- Imelda - $1.15
- Mission Strike - $5.50
- Crispy Leaves - $8.00
- Cool Art - $21.00
Race 2 - Bernie Callinan Memorial Maiden Handicap (900m)
Selection: Doralee Current odds: $1.50
Doralee was heavily backed and narrowly beaten first up at Newcastle. She drops back to country class here and backs up quickly. Aaron Bullock rides her too. Pure Motive won a Scone trial on 7 October and is the danger on debut. Simply Sonnet placed at Grafton and should run on late. All Too Mysterious is another first starter worth including in exotics.
Selections:
- Doralee - $1.50
- Pure Motive - $5.00
- Simply Sonnet - $16.00
- All Too Mysterious - $15.00
Race 3 - Tony Towler Memorial Class 1 Handicap (1450m)
Selection: Crime Of Passion Current odds: $1.80
Crime Of Passion is our best bet of the day. She made ground late to break her maiden at Tamworth, races well on soft ground and has drawn barrier 1. The rise to Class 1 is a small step, and the short back-up should not worry her. Sutton Storm won first up and was beaten only half a length at Dubbo, so he is the main danger. Interro drops back to country class, and Ole Miss should improve with more racing.
Selections:
- Crime Of Passion - $1.80
- Sutton Storm - $4.00
- Interro - $6.50
- Ole Miss - $9.50
Race 4 - Phil Pottinger Memorial Country Boosted Maiden Plate (1280m)
Selection: Moongleam Current odds: $4.00
There is very little form to go on here. Moongleam is a debutant by The Autumn Sun and ran second in a Scone trial on 7 October. At $4.00 he is better value than his stablemate. Costa Del Sol is also from the Gavranich and Messara stable, won a trial in September and is favourite with Aaron Bullock riding. Dekka’s Latest resumes after 28 weeks and should improve. Divine Blessing draws barrier 1 and is a place roughie.
Selections:
- Moongleam - $4.00
- Costa Del Sol - $1.75
- Dekka’s Latest - $10.00
- Divine Blessing - $61.00
Race 5 - Jim Rodger Memorial Country Boosted BM66 Handicap (1500m)
Selection: Wandjad Current odds: $2.30
Wandjad has won his last two, including at this track, and has two wins from four starts on soft ground. He is the clear pick. Hinto ran second at Tamworth and should be on the speed. Nugget Smart won at Tamworth and has the early pace to overcome a wide draw. Supreme Statement ran third here last start and is the place roughie.
Selections:
- Wandjad - $2.30
- Hinto - $4.40
- Nugget Smart - $4.60
- Supreme Statement - $8.50
Race 6 - Dot Robinson BM58 Handicap (1000m)
Selection: Harvey’s Turn Current odds: $6.50
Harvey’s Turn is our value play. He came from well back to win at Grafton, has won on soft ground before and can race closer to the speed in this sprint. Aaron Bullock rides him. What A Scandal resumes after 21 weeks and placed as favourite at Gunnedah, so he will be popular in the betting. The Dux Nuts ran on well first up at Tamworth and is usually better second up. City Gold Speed ran third at Dubbo and is another place chance.
Selections:
- Harvey’s Turn - $6.50
- What A Scandal - $4.80
- The Dux Nuts - $5.75
- City Gold Speed - $8.00
Race 7 - Pat Farrell Memorial BM66 Handicap (1280m)
Selection: Cassiere Current odds: $6.00
Cassiere finished well for third here last start and should be strong late again. Currumbin Alley is from the same Cavanough stable, resumes after 18 weeks and has drawn barrier 1. Ode So Much placed here first up, goes well on soft ground and will be suited by a strong pace. Jason Darren won a Newcastle trial and is a fresh danger.
Selections:
- Cassiere - $6.00
- Currumbin Alley - $5.50
- Ode So Much - $11.00
- Jason Darren - $7.00
