Muswellbrook preview: Tips, best bets and inside mail

Randwick trainer John Sargent has a great affinity with stayers, particularly the fillies and mares, and hopes recent stable addition Sassysav can eventually conquer some higher mountains in the future.

Firstly, the name who prepared the likes of Kirramosa, Luvaluva, Thunder Lady and Gust Of Wind is looking forward to see what she can do when she steps out in a Benchmark 66 over 2300m on Sunday afternoon with jockey Lee Magorrian in the saddle.

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“She’s come to stable after her last run in Victoria and arrived as a very fit horse,” Sargent said.

“This looks an ideal race for me to get a gauge on just exactly where she is.

“She has been running in a lot stronger company but she has been up a long time and this will tell me if she needs a spell or we can carry on with her campaign for another run.”

Previously prepared by Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, the three-year-old showed good ability winning her maiden at Wyong on April 8 before stepping up to the Group 1 Australian Oaks at Randwick just nine days later.

She then backed up a week later in the Listed VRC St Leger over 2800m at Flemington where she finished fifth behind Through Irish Eyes.

John Sargent has some strong runners at Muswellbrook. Picture: Justin LloydSource:News Corp Australia

“I have watched the replays of all her races and she looks quite a nice staying filly in the making,” Sargent said.

“She’s a big lean filly and I don’t want to push her too far at the moment.

“She’s by Savabeel out of Rock Diva who won an Auckland Cup over two miles so I know she will only get better over time.

“If she wins and wins well, we may go to Brisbane for the Queensland Oaks or otherwise she could head to the paddock for a nice break and comeback in the spring.

“I think she will come back next campaign a lot more mature horse.

“This afternoon, she will just roll where she is happy; I won’t give Lee too many instructions. As long as she gets going and makes it a staying test before the turn.”

Sargent will also send Aerobatic Warrior north to tackle the Benchmark 66 over 1280m and the gelding will prove hard to beat.

The son of Nicconi had excuses first-up at Newcastle and should be forgiven, according to Sargent.

“He raced wide and didn’t handle the wet track first-up at Newcastle. I would just forget that run altogether,” he said.

“He should be hard to beat on his work. He worked with Emeralds during the week and went very well.

“This looks a nice race for him and he has won on the track.

“He likes a bit of galloping room so I’m not worried about the wide draw. I think it suits him.”

ADAM SHERRY’S TOP SELECTIONS

BEST BET

Race 6 No.6: CROSS STEP

Showed the benefit of experience when she came from midfield and sprinted smartly to score a good win at Tamworth. Hard to beat.

NEXT BEST

Race 4 No.4: AEROBATIC WARRIOR

Forget first-up run when he failed to handle the wet. Previous form was very good including two smart wins here. Can bounce back.

BEST VALUE

Race 2 No.11: MISS EFFICIENCY

Worked home well from the back to finish second behind Boketto at Quirindi. Has form behind Lost And Running in his big win at Scone last campaign.

QUADDIE

Race 4: 3, 4, 6

Race 5: 1, 3, 4, 7

Race 6: 6, 7, 5

Race 7: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6

JOCKEY TO FOLLOW

Aaron Bullock has a good book of rides including Minniti, Insider Trader and Sacred Sword.

Aaron Bullock is the jockey to follow at Muswellbrook.Source:News Regional Media

INSIDE MAIL: MUSWELLBROOK

RACE 1

Minniti was good when second on debut behind a pretty handy one in Miss Jay Fox at Mudgee on April 18. Is five weeks between runs and will be better for the run but looks smart enough to get away with it. El’ Perri was a close third on debut at Wellington as an easing favourite. Won’t be far away again. Swiss Scent is trialling well ahead of her return to racing. Grounded will benefit from the run but looks to have ability on her trial.

Bet: Minniti to win

RACE 2

Miss Efficiency worked home well from back in the field when second to Bokotto at Quirindi last start. Step up in distance looks ideal. Sebrini is a two-year-old taking on the older horses. Came from near last when third to Blow Dart at Mudgee on debut. Won’t be far away again. Reach Beyond spelled after a close second to Lasting Grace at Tamworth in January. Worked home nicely in a recent trial behind Bengalla Bay. Prince Akeem will benefit from his debut fourth.

Bet: Miss Efficiency to win

RACE 3

After finishing runner-up in two non-TAB events, Date finished a reasonable third at Tuncurry on a heavy track over 1300m last time out. Should handle the step up in distance fine. Miss Twenty Twenty didn’t appear to handle the heavy track at Taree last start. Previous run was a handy third at Port Macquarie. Dulcero hasn’t been far away and is capable of figuring in the finish. Gerwig should find this easier than her past couple of runs at Wyong.

Bet: Quinella/trifecta 2, 5, 7, 8

RACE 4

Aerobatic Warrior didn’t handle the wet track at Newcastle first-up. Form last campaign was very good including two wins at this track. Will prove tough to beat. Hard Faith chased hard behind the tearaway leaders when third last start. Nitride battled away when fifth in Bm88 Gooree Cup last start. Won here four starts back and placed at Newcastle next two. Trophies Galore has plenty of weight but should be in the finish.

Bet: Aerobatic Warrior to win

RACE 5

Sassysav debuts for new stable here. Scored nice maiden win at Wyong before jumping up to tackle the Group 1 Australian Oaks then Listed St Leger when midfield. She is the horse to beat. Inside Trader fought on well for a narrow win over 2350m at Newcastle last start. French Response is in good form, winning two of his last three with big weights over 1850m and 2000m. Extra 100m is no problem. Careering Away is racing well and won’t be far away.

Bet: Sassysav to win. Quinella/trifecta 1, 3, 4, 7

RACE 6

Cross Step was well backed on debut when fifth here April 9 after being slow away then working forward. Made amends with a nice win at Tamworth coming from midfield. Drawn to get a perfect run and can go back-to-back. Owhata Crumpet tried hard when fourth to Sister Ellie at Quirindi last start after racing wide throughout. Very Sharp is a consistent filly resuming from a spell. Bengalla Bay has plenty of weight first-up but was impressive winning a recent trial.

Bet: Cross Step to win

RACE 7

Sacred Sword hasn’t done a lot of racing in the past 12 months but has performed well when sent out. Handy third behind Qadira Star at Taree back in January. From the astute Brett Partelle (pictured) stable. Raised To The Max blitzed his rivals with a six-length win at Wellington last start. Can’t deny him again. Very Sharp won’t be far away in which ever race she tackles. Goofy Mick hung in down the straight and wasn’t able to be tested at Port Macquarie last start. Has since trialled well.

Bet: Sacred Sword to win

Originally published asMuswellbrook tips: Sassy filly can become major stayer

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