Muswellbrook 09 Feb 2026
GOING: S(6)
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MRC GOLD CUP FRIDAY 27 MARCH BENCHMARK 82 HANDICAP 1280m Track: SOFT 6 Rain (Max: 24) Rail: True |
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Just a modest tempo anticipated. Good contest. HOW MUCH BETTER (4) is knocking on the door and gets a terrific chance to break through dropping back to this level. Freshened after being scratched at the gates but his prior form stacks right up. SMOKE ON THE WATER (7) warmed to the task nicely late when resuming at Canterbury and should have tightened up. He’ll likely drift back again from the draw but will be charging home. KRANICH (1) made a solid return at Tamworth, finding the line well, and he loves this trip. Fitter now and sure to be very competitive. MISS REBEL (6) went amiss last start but has since trialled strongly, and her form prior reads well. A serious hope if she’s on her best behaviour. NOMORENIGHTSHIFT (5) drops back to a preferred trip and draws to get the gun run. Capable of giving this a real shake. SUGGESTED PLAY: How Much Better to win.
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| 1 | 221x4 |
KRANICH
MICHAEL MULHOLLAND 5YO BAY GELDING 58.0KG M R Mulholland, R M Burton, P Burton, K Khouiss, R W Simpson & Mrs M S Mulholland Second run back. First-up after five months 4th of 9 at Tamworth Bm82 on January 22 over 1200m, 1.2 len behind Chandon Star with 54.5kg at $4. Previously second-up ran on from midfield and won by 0.5 len at Gunnedah Super Mdn-Sw May 25 over 1400m on a rain affected track defeating Trounce with 59kg at $12. Top chance. |
4 C LEVER |
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| 2 | 52142 |
NIGHT FIGHTER
SUE GRILLS 5YO BAY GELDING 58.0KG P J Hatton, Mrs J A Hatton, A J J Hawke, Mrs L A Hawke, Miss E C M Davies, M N M Davies, N C Farr-Jones, C J R Terry, J W Terry, M R A Irwin, J F Grills & A J Tod Most recently made ground from midfield; 2nd of 9 at Tamworth Bm82 on January 22 over 1200m, 0.9 len behind Chandon Star carrying 57kg at $4.40. The run before that made some head-way from midfield; 4th of 14 at Inverell Invl Cup Bm88 on January 1 over 1400m, 1.75 len behind Voracious with 56kg at $3.60. Fully tested this time around. |
3 JENNY DUGGAN |
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| 3 | 9x070 |
XTRA APPROVAL
TONY BALL 7YO BROWN GELDING 57.0KG Mrs B A Ball, K J Ball, M A Ball, Mrs J Haisell, J C Haisell, Mrs R M Haisell & G R Haisell Last start ran last of 10 at Randwick Cg&E Bm78 on January 24 over 1200m, 7 len behind Gatsby's carrying 52kg at $201. The race before that 7th of 12 at Coffs Harbour Pink Silks Bm82 on January 11 over 1205m, 4.5 len behind Gold Card carrying 54.5kg at $101. Others read better. This seven-year-old gelding hasn't done enough this preparation to come into calculations. |
3 HOLLIE HULL |
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| 4 | x3224 |
HOW MUCH BETTER
NACIM DILMI 5YO GR/CH GELDING 57.0KG Domeland Pty Ltd (Mgr: Y P Cheng) Recent form sound. Returns from a 33-day let-up. At the latest run 4th of 11 at Warwick Farm 5yo+ Bm72 on January 7 over 1400m, 4.5 len behind Copacabana carrying 55kg at $7. Before that held ground to the line 2nd of 8 at Canterbury Cg&E Bm72 on December 19 over 1550m, long-neck behind Kenmare Bay with 55kg at $11. Capable of a better run. |
6 MOLLIE FITZGERALD |
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| 5 | x5584 |
NOMORENIGHTSHIFT
MACK GRIFFITH 4YO BROWN GELDING 56.0KG A F Baker, Mrs K A Baker, S R Taylor & Mrs C P Taylor Most recently raced on the speed and boxed on steadily 4th of 10 at Tamworth Bm82 on January 22 over 1600m, 4 len behind Taipan Legend with 56kg at $3.20. Before that 8th of 10 at Warwick Farm E&G Bm72 on January 7 over 1600m, 3.5 len behind Man Of Worth with 57kg at $15. One to keep in mind. |
1 BEN LOOKER |
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| 6 | 5x270 |
MISS REBEL
CASSANDRA STUMMER 6YO BAY MARE 55.0KG M J Callinan, J V Murphy, Ms M Callinan, Mrs F Callinan, T Callinan, N Callinan, Miss H Callinan, Mrs C J Moxey & D Pearson Last start didn't finish the race at Port Macquarie Qotn Bm74 January 23 over 1200m. The start before that 7th of 13 at Wyong Highway-C3 on January 10 over 1100m, 3.5 len behind Crusader Kings carrying 57kg at $15. Capable of much better performance. |
5 R JONES |
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| 7 | 54x50 |
SMOKE ON THE WATER
JAMES DOBIE 5YO BAY GELDING 55.0KG S Smith, A Lauder, J H McIntosh, B L Samsa, T Burns, M J Duffell, L T Dennison & Ms J A Searle Second-up. First-up after six months got back early 5th of 10 at Canterbury Highway-C3 on January 23 over 1200m, on a slow track; 1.75 len behind Lady Olenna with 57kg at $5.50. Previously second-up 6th of 11 at Scone Cl2 on May 16 over 1300m, slow going 4.5 len behind Tasoraay carrying 56kg at $11. He is capable of testing this field. |
7 |
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| 8 | 2120x |
PINOT NERO
JOHN RAMSEY 3YO BAY GELDING 55.0KG J W Ramsey Pty Ltd (Mgr: J W Ramsey), Mrs E M C Ramsey, Miss C E Stummer & B W Wood First-up. Finished off last preparation when last of 11 at Newcastle in the G3 Spring Stk November 15 over 1600m, 43 len behind Green Spaces with 56.5kg at $101. Previously first up; fifth of 8 at this track Ctry Mdn August 12 over 1280m, on rain affected going; 2.25 len behind Salvato with 55kg at $9.50. Prefer to see. |
2 GRANT BUCKLEY |
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| 9 | x366x |
TANGLEWOOD JIMMY
WAYNE WILKES 5YO CHESTNUT GELDING 55.0KG G M Carr, D J Carr, Mrs A Turnbull, K D Carr, A J Clinch, Mrs R V Brazel, P J Carr, Ms D E McHugh, Mrs S J Keogh, Mrs E K Worth, Mrs J M Brazel, Dr C E Brazel, Miss C M McHugh, T Shirreffs, Mrs K A Carr, W T Wilkes, H Gaffney & Twohays New (Mgr: M N Smoother) Resuming. Finished off last campaign sixth of 11 at Kempsey Bm58 July 28 over 1450m, on rain affected going; 7 len behind Punch One Out with 60.5kg at $4. First up last campaign third of 13 at this track Bm66 June 13 over 1280m, soft track; 1.0 len behind Hulu carrying 57kg at $7. Looks tested. |
2 A GIBBONS |
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