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Honest galloper Bottled Up can break through for his first home track win in today's Honor In War @ Ilala Stud Handicap (race 7) at Muswellbrook.
The gelding, prepared on the course by Pat Farrell, has only started on his home track a few times but fitter for two runs from a spell gets the chance to score in this 1450m Benchmark 65.
At his third run back last campaign Bottled Up raced in a Benchmark 70 at Gosford and was runner-up in a strong effort.
He was then a luckless seventh at Canterbury Park before returning home for a Class 3 where he carried 60kg after the claim and was narrowly beaten.
At his last run before a spell, in another benchmark 70 at Wyong, he drifted well back and never came on, where he was subsequently vetted and sent for a spell.
Fresh-up this campaign was in this grade over 1000m at Gosford where he settled midfield and turned there before battling home to finish fifth.
Last start, to a Benchmark 70 at Wyong, he again settled midfield and turned there before running on for a three length fifth.
He will strip fitter for that and looks suited over the longer journey this time.
At home he has raced three times for two narrow seconds.
Bottled Up will handle the ground and from a good draw should be hard to hold out.
Veteran mare Morning Flare is close to a win and will also prove hard to hold out.
Prepared at Tamworth by Ernie Vine, Morning Flare is fitter for three runs from a spell and looks suited by the longer trip now.
Fresh-up she raced at home and was thereabouts when ninth, before improving at Dubbo with a big weight where she covered ground and battled away for fifth.
Last start, over 1200m at Tamworth, she settled midfield and turned there but ran on well for a 1.5 length third.
She is ready to hit her straps now and has six of her seven career wins at about the trip.
She is also a winner here and has solid stats in the conditions.
The Kim Waugh-trained Jewel Quest has never won fresh but after two solid trials should be ready to go close today.
The mare resumed last campaign with a fast finishing third at Wyong and has had two recent trials to have her ready for this.
She placed in both, the latest over 1000m at Newcastle when beaten less than two lengths.
She has a nice weight and the inside gate today and should be finding the line well.
Albermagic carries a light weight after the claim and should give a sight from a good draw, while Party Legs rates highly but saves his best for firm tracks.