Friday racing is here, and our Neds Friday Muswellbrook Best Bets are ready to point you in the right direction as we look to kick off the weekend with a few winners.
SPLASH OF STEEL (6) returned in good order at Scone when fourth beaten 2.28 lengths over 1000m, working home steadily after settling back off a slow tempo.
Second-up in his first preparation, he ran well for a close third at Warwick Farm over 1200m, which ties in with the rise in distance suiting here.
The Rod Northam-trained gelding will strip fitter for that return and looks ready to improve.
With a cleaner getaway and a more economical run, he can improve sharply and be right in the finish.
FLIRTATION (2) was dominant at Scone last start when winning by 1.73 lengths over 900m on heavy ground, showing a strong turn of foot late.
Prior to that, she ran well on debut when second beaten a neck over 1000m, hitting the line nicely with improvement to come.
The Messara & Gavranich-trained filly has started her career in promising fashion and the rise in distance third-up shouldn’t hurt given she covered ground last start.
With Aaron Bullock (44% strike rate for the stable) retaining the ride and further improvement likely, she looks very hard to beat again.
NIRMATA (3) comes into this off back-to-back wins at Tamworth, latest when scoring by a neck over 1000m, finishing strongly to get the job done.
Prior to that when resuming, she won by a head over the same trip, charging home late to land the prize.
The Craig Martin-trained mare is flying this preparation and now looks to have found her best form.
Drawn the rails and with a similar setup likely, she gets every chance to complete the hat-trick.
HULU (4) was impressive at Scone last start when winning by a whisker over 1300m on heavy ground after racing wide, fighting strongly to get the verdict.
Prior to that, he ran well at Scone when third beaten 1.26 lengths over 1400m, sticking on gamely in a competitive race.
He also won the Tamworth Cup Prelude four starts back, highlighting the strong form he’s in this preparation.
The Crockett-trained gelding with Aaron Bullock aboard looks well placed to give a big sight again from a forward position.