Greg Polson's view - A good opportunity for punters taking on the favourite at Muswellbrook

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The Wild Side certainly looks an improving type with just four career starts to date but does a Quirindi Maiden Plate victory on November 11 justify $2.70 favouritism.

The third favourite in the race Ciqala also comes out of the Quirindi race so if we can find a weakness in the form it takes a considerable percentage out of the betting market and you could back all the remaining runners for a nice profit.

The Vince Accardi dailysectional.com.au gives us reason to be sceptical about the Quirindi form.

Two 1600 metres races were run on the day with the other mile race, a benchmark 59 event that was won by Don Pellegrino.

Don Pellegrino covered the 1600 metres in 1.37.80 compared to 1.38.80 for The Wild Side with the difference in quality really telling in the second half of the race with the first 800 metres in each race run in similar time.

Ciqala hadn't been placed in nine previous runs before running second to The Wild Side which further questions the merit of the form.

There is some depth in the Muswellbrook race with the John Sargent-trained Willie Heritage, the Graham Payne-trained Balmain and the Kristen Buchanan galloper Dr Kimble all having solid credentials to beat the favourite.

Willie Heritage will appreciate the step up in distance and won third-up at Hawkesbury last time in stepping up in distance.

Balmain was an acceptor at the Canterbury night meeting is another that will appreciate the step up in distance and Dr Kimble comes out of a strong form race at Kembla on debut won by Circular who was competitive in midweek city grade on Wednesday at Warwick Farm.

The Wild Side has plenty of scope for improvement and could make the necessary leap to enable her to take out Friday's event but taking $2.70 is fraught with danger and there is much better value in the race elsewhere.

H ear Greg Polson's full assessment of Muswellbrook on RSN when he previews the meeting at approximately 11.30am.

Greg uses sectional times provided by Vince Accardi and the team from dailysectionals.com.au

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