A couple of key scratchings have opened the door for Muccino to win at Ballarat this afternoon.

Muccino has consistent form lines and looks to have found another race to suit in the City Of Ballarat Benchmark 64 over 1400m.

Trained by Byron Cozamanis, Muccino gets Steven Arnold back on board today, the jockey who rode him to a 1.5L win over the distance and Pakenham Park two starts back.

Since then Muccino had no luck at Sale when blocked for a run on the turn and in the straight before making ground to run third to Galaxy Raider, that horse just missing in a much tougher race at this course on Saturday.

Muccino hasn’t finished out of the placings in his last six starts and he is putting together a handy record at this distance with a win and three placings from five attempts.

He has drawn a wide gate but a couple of his main rivals on paper have been withdrawn from this and a repeat of the Timeform rating he achieved in victory two starts ago would be enough to see him beat this field.

The resuming On Wings has the form to be a danger and anything from the Darren Weir yard deserves respect.

His best form has been over longer, including wins at 1900m and 2025m, but he has placed at this distance and when first up so could run a cheeky race.

Gold Busker is a likely improver third up from a spell and stepping up in trip.

He needed the 1000m run first up then had no luck last time when he raced wide throughout and was blocked for a run on the turn.

It has been a long time between drinks for him but he does come in okay at the weights after Jack Martin’s 2kg claim.

Three Strykes could be the one of these with the most upside.

The mare is lightly-raced but made progress last campaign for a Donald win and a placing at this course and distance and should be improved by her closing fifth when resuming.