Muswellbrook Preview & Best Bets – 04/01/2024

Muswellbrook Tips for Thursday, January 4

Our form expert provides Muswellbrook tips for today’s horse racing at Muswellbrook Racecourse and gives his best bets.

BEST BET 🏆

Race 2:  No.7  OPUS  ($2.20 with bet365)

The Kristen Buchanan-trained OPUS is just three starts into his racing career and has shown a liking for a bit of ground which he gets here today. Last start, the Exosphere gelding came from an unplaced run over 1300m (at Tuncurry) when he stepped up to the 1600m journey at Taree and on a Heavy 9, clobbered his Class 1 rivals, putting more than three lengths on them over the line that day. Apprentice, Lee Magorrian was aboard for that contest and has the reins again here. He does no early work from gate one today but is expected to settle back in the field, as he did last start. Up in grade today, but down in weight, the extra ground looks ideal at this stage and even fitter for those two runs this time in, he looks the testing material in this event.

NEXT BEST 🥈

Race 3:  No.6  STENSON WALLMAN  ($6 with BlueBet)

Another from the Buchanan stable here is STENSON WALLMAN who is third-up today and sporting a major gear change just might make all the difference to the previously unbeaten galloper in this contest. The Invader gelding went to the paddock, two from two after his first campaign, with both victories coming on this track. His two starts this time in have resulted in unplaced finishes, the latter seeing him beaten 7.5 lengths over 1200m at Wyong. The stable have fitted a tongue tie for today’s assignment as Mitch Stapleford is legged aboard for the first time. He 3kg claim sees the three-year-old carry just 56.5kgs today which is a bonus in this easier affair. Ideally drawn in gate four and two from two at the track and distance puts him in the ballpark as a winning chance today.

BEST VALUE 💰 

Race 5:  No.7  CAPITAL GAMBLE  ($12 with Bet Right)

Scone trainer, Stephen Jones saddles-up CAPITAL GAMBLE here and high-flying at the moment, looks a major player in this contest. Last start, the Capitalist mare brought-up win number two when she easily accounted for a BM58 Hcp over 1400m at Tamworth. Coming from mid-field on the corner, she finished too strong for them in the run home and took the honours by a length on the line. Darryl Mc Lellan was aboard that day and remains in charge for this assignment. Drawn in gate seven, she maps to settle near mid-field again and if she enjoys a trouble-free run here, she looks set for a déjà vu performance and well worth an each-way ticket today.