Race-by-race preview and tips for Monday meeting at Muswellbrook

Track Soft 5 and rail out 3m from 1000m to 300m into a cut/away & True the remainder.

Race 1 – 1.55pm: MAIDEN PLATE (1280m)

The opener shapes ideally for emerging colt 11. Dale, the only two-year-old in the field which is also dropping back sharply from a disappointing debut in metro company. Carries 1kg less here, and has reportedly been working well.

Dangers: Expecting improvement second-up from underrated mare 8. My Mate Kate getting back on firmer ground, with the blinkers coming off. Include 5. Magic Sorcerer who was scratched from Dubbo on Sunday to be saved for this; and 6. Himorher; in trifecta and first four plays.

How to play it: Dale to win

Race 2 – 2.30pm: MAIDEN HCP (1000m)

Thin line-up here augurs well for provincial-based filly 6. Drama Dodger resuming for only her third start off a seven-month spell. Looked strong winning a trial 19 days ago, and the stable has a smart record with fresh ones.

Dangers: Expect improvement from lightly raced 5. Quality Misss second-up; while 7. Sharkhop who drew the fence third-up is the best of the rest.

How to play it: Drama Dodger to win

Race 3 – 3.05pm: CLASS 1 HCP (1000m)

Metro filly 1. Full Revolution rates on top here fourth-up from an ideal trailing draw. Scraped home as a well-backed favourite to open her account at Gosford two starts ago before failing to fire at Goulburn after doing early work in a race where the form has already stacked up big. Up in weight, but this is weaker, and she gets the right run.

Dangers: Improving 2. Catchy Tunes is rock hard fit coming back from a deeper provincial BM 64, and the jockey change is significant. Keep safe at good odds 6. Taken For Granted who surged home to win a handy country maiden fourth-up. Both 4. Crimson Bonnet third-up with a far superior jockey taking over; and 5. Gypsy Mountain fourth-up; can run into the minor money.

How to play it: Full Revolution to win

Race 4 – 3.40pm: BENCHMARK 58 HCP (1450m)

Improving filly 8. Too Many Stars represents good value here despite a third-up flop in Class 1 company where she failed to run home over a mile. Much better suited getting on to a bigger track, and coming back a little in distance. Won her maiden from much nearer the speed two starts ago in heavy going, so any rain would be a natural plus.

Dangers: Plenty of them headed by early favourite 2. Ensign Parker, who will find this more to his liking third-up, with gear changes and the leading jockey taking over. Watch the market around 1. Damascus Gate who drops significantly in class deep into his prep after winning two straight in the country on rain-affected ground. Peaking fourth-up, 12. Ballet Pride draws inside, and gets weight relief for the rise in grade; while at much bigger odds, 5. Still In Fashion can sneak into the money third-up.

How to play it: Too Many Stars to win

Race 5 – 4.20pm: BENCHMARK 66 HCP (1750m)

Tough five-year-old 2. Gulf Of Tomini is ready to peak second-up jumping significantly in trip. Made up a stack of ground from near last when resuming against similar opposition, and from a low draw he can park at least midfield in the run, and be saved for one final shot from the 400m. Showed fair form in much better fields over further last prep.

Dangers: Progressive metro three-year-old 4. Jonny Be Swift is the clear threat second-up off a month-long break. Previously had won two straight from just off the speed in heavy ground, and while this is a better line-up, he’s still on the up and drops 2.5kg. Must keep safe 8. Rothrock who is drawn to peak fourth-up on a hefty class drop from metro BM 72 company. Big gap to the rest.

How to play it: Gulf Of Tomini to win

Race 6 – 5.00pm: MAIDEN HCP (1500m)

Improving three-year-old 8. The Favorite Son hasn’t done much in four spaced runs since a fair country debut late last year, but he showed good improvement in a Super Maiden four weeks ago, only beaten a long neck. Draws to get an even softer run here right behind the speed, and any extra ground is a big plus being by multiple group 1-winning superstar The Autumn Sun out of a mare by UK staying great Pivotal. Over the odds.

Dangers: Metro raider 1. Adagio is an intriguing runner from the Waterhosue-Bott stable. Kept boxing on from the front on debut in a handy maiden at Newcastle, and drawn to do less early work this time. The blinkers go back on 2. Etched In Time from the Freedman camp at Rosehill third-up, although he climbs in weight and is drawn off the track. Include in wider exotics both 6. Red In The Morning who peaks at her third start; and 12. Kosciuszko Bound who gets weight relief.

How to play it: The Favorite Son to win

Race 7 – 5.40pm: BENCHMARK 66 HCP (1280m)

Plenty of chances in the closer, but none better than improving four-year-old 8. Bonjour Rupert second-up with an important gear change. Came off a 21-week break to hit the line in a strong Class 3 Highway less than two lengths from the winner, and while he jumps up 4kg, this is a clear drop in class and depth. Progressed to the Listed Grafton Guineas last July holding his own.

Dangers: Provincial mare 1. Never Sorry has more than enough ability on her day, and can peak third-up from the inside barrier. Respect for 3. Sharp Shock also second-up on a nine-day turnaround after a late closing effort in Class 3 Highway grade. Unbeaten from two starts 11. Rockbarton Fashion steps up in grade; while at bigger odds 7. Mysweetmoses having only his second run in NSW; and 13. Zoe Shark deep into her prep; can both run into the money.

How to play it: Bonjour Rupert to win

BEST BETSR2 6. DRAMA DODGERR7 8. BONJOUR RUPERT

BEST VALUER5 2. GULF OF TOMINI

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