Australian Racing: Sunday 23 May 2021 – Muswellbrook

Race 4.

Today’s best bet, AEROBATIC WARRIOR has only had the six runs to date, winning two, finishing second on one occasion and third in two outings. The gelding won his penultimate start over 1450M and was immediately rested for 23 weeks, but he then disappointed in his return run, finishing eleventh over six furlongs, eight and a half lengths behind the winner. It must however be pointed out that he came four wide into the home straight that day costing himself valuable ground. He will have to negotiate draw eight, but he will be hoping to bounce back to winning ways here.

HARD FAITH is a 6yr old mare taking on the boys, but she has put in two solid runs since returning from a 23 week break, the latest when third over 1025M, 1.7L behind the winner. She stayed on well that day and from one gate inside the top choice, she could emerge as his biggest threat.

NITRIDE raced up with the leaders into the home straight, but shifted wide out over the closing 200M to end up in fifth place over seven furlongs, just over two and a half lengths back from the winner. He gets draw four and should be involved in the finish.

Race 5.

A 5yr old mare and a 3yr old filly could fight out the finish to this race and secure the exacta, but FRENCH RESPONSE is taken to lead the pack home. She has won two of her last three outings, the latest victory coming over ten furlongs by two lengths. She finished best after coming wide into the home straight that day and from her pole position, she seems capable of completing her double.

SASSYSAV jumped awkwardly when finishing fifth last time out over seven furlongs, 6.7L off the winner, but that was in a Listed race, so she takes a big drop in class here. She faces a wideish draw nine, but she should not be lightly dismissed in this line-up.

CAREERING AWAY showed marked improvement when attempting to go from jump to wire before ending up in third spot last time out over ten furlongs, two and a half lengths behind the winner. He was only run out of it late that day and from draw seven, he is likely to attempt similar tactics here.

Race 6.

Although BENGALLA BAY is recorded as finishing ninth in his last outing over 900M, he was just over two and a half lengths back from the winner. He raced awkwardly in the early stages of the contest and then only saw daylight at the 200M mark, before finishing off his race well. The form of that race has been franked. He has won a subsequent barrier trail and from draw three, he is made the value bet on the program. Two 3yr old fillies could chase him home.

CROSS STEP came four wide approaching the home straight, but then hit the front going through the 100M mark to win his maiden race last time out over five furlongs by one length. She is draw one outside the top pick and should be right up there when they hit the line.

VERY SHARP returns from an 18 week break and has not had the benefit of a barrier trial so her fitness will have to be taken on trust. She had finished second twice and third once since returning from a 35 week absence, before ending up in fourth place last time out over 1100M, 4.4L adrift of the winner. She faces draw nine, but nevertheless should be included in all bets.

Race 7.

GOOFY MICK followed up his maiden win over this c&d with an eighth place finish next time out over five furlongs, 7.6L off the winner, but he hung badly all the way down the straight that day and could not be properly ridden out, so that effort should be totally ignored. He has put in an encouraging barrier trial since than and could be the one that they all have to beat.

VERY SHARP is a 3yr old filly taking on boys, but she has cracked pole position and had consistent formlines to her credit before finishing fourth last time out over 1100M, just under for and a half lengths adrift of the victor. She was then rested for 18 weeks and returns here after not having had a barrier trial. She will be looking to resume her best form today.

SACRED SWORD returns from a shorter 14 week rest and has also not had a barrier trial, but he has done well when returning from a break before as illustrated by him finishing a 1.6L third last time out over five furlongs when returning from a ten week absence. He will have to overcome gate ten, but he should be right up there in the mix.