Full preview and tips for the Muswellbrook Monday meeting

How to play it: Crime Spree victory; Save with Pinky in Quinella

Odd and Even: opportunities

Race 3 – 3:25pm: GREAT NORTHERN CLASS 1 HANDICAP (1000m)

Flying mare Artie 6. MISS VIOLET should get close here and will bounce off the inner marble. The mare consistently led to victory at Wyong before being caught late last time at this distance when the winner got up on the inside. Ashley Morgan, in form, stays back and will give her every chance in transit.

Dangers: 2. BOSS SHELBY He finished quickly second in Scone and then looked like the winner in the 100m at Gunnedah before being hit by another runner which ended in third and cost him every chance. He races well but doesn’t win often. 3. RHYTHM IS A DANCER picking up steam again after win at Lismore in September and usually running fresh (2/0-1-1).

How to play it: Outstanding quinella 6/2-3

Odd and Even: Even

Race 4 – 4:05pm: MUSWELLBROOK EQUUS MEMBERSHIP MAIDEN HANDICAP (1500m)

7.BRIDGET WENLOCK put in a solid race as fifth sent out with big chances at Randwick before leading, only grabbing near the post on the final start at Wyong. Keeps improving with each excursion and the 100m range reduction looks reasonable. Just have to contend with a sticky outer barrier.

Dangers: 9. LADY TOWNSEND finished last season in Port Macquarie hard second. The last start was disruptive at a crucial point on the straight, but pulled itself together and only got going again late. Keep an eye on them. 3. OBVIOUSLY ALERT got a bad run last time and ran on well and gets a draw (goal 3) to get a decent run.

How to play it: Box 7-9-3 in a quinella

Odd and Even: opportunities

Race 5 – 4:40pm: TAB COUNTRY Boosted BENCHMARK 58 HANDICAP (1450m)

bit value here with 12. ELEGANT POET who has her second run from a spell. Interference cost her a place at Taree ahead of Spelling, then she got pinched at the fence while running on the resumption and should have finished closer. Will be fitter for the run and have Reece Jones on board to help.

Dangers: 1. CONCLUSION He’s still riding well, has a good draw and will have to pilot Aaron Bullock so it has to be respected. 3. GIRRAGULANG was only half a length behind Final Statement in the last start and is handling the horse a half kilo better so he must be demanding.

How to play it: Elegant Poetress on an every-way basis

Odd and Even: opportunities

Race 6 – 5:15pm: BHP MT ARTHUR BENCHMARK 66 HANDICAP (1280m)

5. FAST AS LIGHT followed by seconds at Tamworth and Muswellbrook with a strong win at Tamworth. He’s a reliable transporter who should sit in midfield and be saved for one last shot at them in the closing stages. Was picked out of the TAB Highway at Randwick on Saturday and will be hard to follow.

Dangers: 3. EXTRA LIGHTNING was placed at Rosehill in November and ran a solid sixth at Scone in his first run in a month so will benefit from this outing. 2. JUMEIRAH BEACH has been refreshed since winning at Muswellbrook and Mudgee. Hits the line hard and should come back up on the finish line. 10. ELARSKI was disappointed as a clear favorite in Port Macquarie last time out and could get another chance.

How to play it: Lightfast, outstanding 3-2-10 quinella

Odd and Even: opportunities

Race 7 – 5:50pm: HORSEPOWER MAIDEN PLATE (1280m)

debutant 7. HELLBETTA has three tries under his belt and a crucial one was at Gosford when he was narrowly beaten by one of today’s rivals 8. OAKFIELD EAGLE. The big boy ran up to win the try but was held back near the line. His next attempt at Rosehill was good too, just needs luck from his terrible draw.

Dangers: 12. KOKOSHNIK looked good winning a Rosehill trial and did much better with the second goal. Fast and will run down. 8. OAKFIELD EAGLE has also proved its worth and must be taken into account 2. RILEY PARK has the benefit of racing experience against the aforementioned debutants and that must get him into the mix at the restart after a solid fourth place at Gosford.

How to play it: Hellbetta should achieve each-way value from the barrier

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Odd and Even: opportunities

best bets
Race 1: (4) HIMORHER
Race 3: (6) MISS VIOLET

best value
Race 5: (12) ELEGANT POET
Race 7: (7) HELBETTA