Betting tips / Mathew Thompson / 29 August 2011 / Leave a comment Bet Now

The Muswellbrook track is rated a slow six for today's program, which is highlighted by healthy field sizes for the eight-race program.

In fact, the smallest field on the card is eight horses in race two.

Recommended bets

Best bet: R6 #8 Rock Alert
The Darren Smith-prepared son of Fastnet Rock had no luck last start when trapped wide for the entire journey over this same track and distance. He was well in the market on that occasion, starting at $4 against class one company.

Jeff Penza vacates the saddle for in-form veteran Dale Spriggs, who rides this Muswellbrook track better than anyone. He should give Rock Alert a good run close to the speed from barrier eight, but with race fitness on his side, don't be surprised to see him lead.

Rock Alert handles soft going, as evidenced by his 1.5 length defeat at Taree two starts ago. That track was almost bottomless and he did stick on well under 57.5 kilos. A slightly dryer track will aid his hopes here. One win from 14 starts is a concern for backers, but against moderate opposition, Rock Alert should improve that record today.

Expect somewhere around $4 on Betfair, which represents good odds.

Next best: R8 #1 Hezapearla

The former New Zealand galloper heads back to the bush after two respectable runs at Randwick.

He was beaten by seven-lengths by the progressive Home On A Wing last start and finished within five-lengths of Yonderstar on heavy ground the run prior. He won by almost three-lengths at his last country start at Cessnock.

The son of Kaapstad is one from one on slow going and has run his best races, under the guidance of jockey Robert Thompson, since arriving in Australia.

Punters on Betfair can expect around $8 in a race of multiple chances, but an each-way ticket on Hezapearla looks the way to play in the lucky last.