We're heading to the upper Hunter region of NSW on Monday afternoon, where some handy gallopers will hit the track at Muswellbrook.
The surface is rated a Soft 6 and the rail is in the true position.
Punters should expect a fair track early in the day, before the inside chops out. In the later races, look for horses drawn in mid to wide barriers to hold an advantage.
Muswellbrook Race 7 Tip #6 Rubick's Command $17.00 each-way
This son of Rubrick has come a long way this prep, breaking his maiden in fine style before heading to town to compete in a Highway race.
He showed good early speed that day, but compounded late over the testing 1400m journey.
He then went north to Grafton and was unusually slow away, before ducking and weaving the entire straight.
He managed to finish 3.68-lengths off the leader on that clash, but could have finished much closer if he jumped with them and then found clean air.
From the wide barrier with Mitchell Bell aboard today, I expect him to be ridden mid-field with cover behind a hot speed.
The 1280m looks ideal for this galloper, who has previously won at 1300m. With even luck in the run, he can cause an upset in the last!
For those interested in the favourite Budwah at $1.95, be very wary.
He's a winner of 1 from 15 and whilst this is a drop in grade, he carries 6.5 kg more today and hasn't won since December 2019.
He looks a huge risk at the price.