Improving galloper Muirfield looks hard to hold out on a rain sodden Sandown Hillside today.
The lightly raced gelding steps up to 1800m in the Le Pine Funerals Handicap (race 6) and having won his only try in slow ground should prove tough to beat in this RB82.
Prepared by Mike Moroney at Flemington, Muirfield was tested over ground in far tougher races at the end of his three-year-old season.
After finishing fifth in the Group 2 Alister Clarke Stakes over 2040m at Moonee Valley third up he was ninth in the Group 2 Tulloch Stakes in what was a below par run.
He then struck a heavy track in the Group 3 Frank Packer Plate over 2000m at Randwick and after settling midfield worked home soundly to finish third behind Shootoff.
The gelding went for a long spell and missed last spring before resuming in January over 1300m here.
Drawing wide and settling well back, he hit the line powerfully for a 2.5 length sixth behind Costa In The Glen.
Up to a mile last time, he carried 58kg in the easier grade and as an odds on favourite had too much on his rivals, running on form second last to come with a well time run and win.
He meets a tougher line up today but has a few things in his favour.
He is fitter, suited at the longer journey and drops 3kg on a last start win.
The soft ground suits and winning rider Nick Hall stays aboard.
Muirfield is more than up to this grade and should be winding up strongly in the long straight.
The form runner of the race and one to beat is the Mick Kent trained Tenno.
The gelding won over a mile at Cranbourne last winter with an effortless on speed win before a good spell.
He resumed over 1520m at Morningotn and circled the field before cruising to a 2.8 length win in RB62 class, then raced over a mile at Moonee Valley in an RB68 and was too classy again.
Last start, over a mile at Mornington in RB78 class, he sat just off the pace but again found the line well, proving too strong in a narrow win.
The gelding can only be fitter again and looks suited by the longer journey.
He meets a slightly tougher grade but has drawn to be on the speed throughout and will no doubt be in the finish again.
Chord is fitter for three runs from a spell and can only be fitter for his last start win.
After a close up fourth fresh with a big weight he worked home well to finish fourth, again with a big weight, at Ballarat.
Last start, to a mile at Moonee Valley, he got back but ran on hard to score a narrow win.
He can only be fitter again and has drawn for a good run in barrier two.
He is yet to win in six tries in soft ground but has placed in slow.
Ravages turned in a poor run last time but will appreciate the easier grade here and can bounce back.
The Peter Moody trained gelding was runner up over a mile second up at Sale carrying 60kg where he was just edged out.
He then raced at Flemington over 1720m and after getting well back made some ground but couldn't bridge the gap and finished ninth behind Under The Hat.
This is easier, he is fitter again and has a good weight and draw.
It would be no surprise to see him bounce back to his best.
Buddy Amazing finished sixth in that same race last time and a repeat of that run, when coming from well back to finish sixth, would see him go close.
