Muswellbrook Betting Tips for July 26, 2026 - Taking It With A Pound Of Salt

Martin Pennington

Editor

Last updated: Fri 24 Jul 2026 11:13

Martin Pennington 2 hours ago

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Muswellbrook's main event is the Bengalla Cup over 1280m on July 26
Top picks: Empress Tsarina (R2), Avista (R3), A Pound Of Salt (R6), Varuni (R7)
Track currently rated Soft 5; with upgrades possible

Seven races feature on Sunday's Muswellbrook card. (Getty)

Muswellbrook hosts a seven-race program on Sunday, July 26, with the 1280m Bengalla Cup taking centre stage.

Muswellbrook Tips July 26
Vinery Stud Country Boosted Class 1 Handicap Tips (Race 2)
Broadlands Muswellbrook Benchmark 66 Handicap Tips (Race 3)
Bengalla Cup Tips (Race 6)
Viatek NSW Benchmark 58 Handicap Tips (Race 7)

The track is currently rated a Soft 5, with fine conditions forecast.

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Muswellbrook Tips July 26

Vinery Stud Country Boosted Class 1 Handicap Tips (Race 2)

Muswellbrook Value Bet - Race 2 No. 2 Empress Tsarina

Two placings from three starts at Muswellbrook highlight a strong record at the venue, with Empress Tsarina also performing well on rain-affected ground.

Both of those efforts came on wet tracks, including in a course and distance Class 1 handicap in April.

Racing against her own sex, the mare was beaten less than half a length after jumping from an inside barrier that day, with that effort marking her first start back from a spell before subsequently joining the Todd Howlett stable from John Ramsey.

The mare performed well in her sole trial ahead of her return to action, with the barrier expected to pose no issue for apprentice Jordie Thompson's mount.

A track downgrade would aid her chances; however, she handles the forecast Soft 5 conditions and rates value to resume with a win.

Broadlands Muswellbrook Benchmark 66 Handicap Tips (Race 3)

Muswellbrook Best Bet - Race 3 No. 4 Avista

An impressive maiden victory at this venue to close out 2025 suggested Avista was a filly with plenty of upside.

Competing over 1280m, the filly came home nearly three lengths clear of her nearest pursuer after jumping as the $1.85 favourite.

Ridden cold on a Good track, the selection overcame a wide barrier that day, and she proved she handles softer conditions when saluting first-up at Scone this preparation.

Racing on a Soft 7 surface, the three-year-old appeared to have something in hand of her rivals, scoring by just over one-and-a-half lengths, with that Class 1 success over 1300m suggesting she is ready for this rise in distance.

The Paul Messara & Leah Gavranich stable boasts a 48% strike-rate (15/31) at this venue this season, and their filly looks capable of continuing her progress with another victory.

Bengalla Cup Tips (Race 6)

Muswellbrook Feature Bet - Race 6 No. 11 A Pound Of Salt

Stepping back in distance looks no disadvantage for A Pound Of Salt, who has been holding his own over further in recent months.

The six-year-old registered a solid effort when finishing fifth at Tamworth a month ago.

Racing on a Soft 5 track, the gelding settled in fourth for much of the race before finishing just over four lengths behind the winner in Benchmark 82 company.

The drop back to this trip is no concern given the son of Furnaces has won over the distance previously, while the forecast Soft ground also holds no fears for the versatile gelding.

Todd Howlett's representative has drawn well in barrier four, has won two of his three starts at Muswellbrook and, following a freshen-up since his latest effort, is taken to return to winning ways.

Viatek NSW Benchmark 58 Handicap Tips (Race 7)

Muswellbrook Next Best Bet - Race 7 No. 11 Varuni

Three top-three finishes from her opening preparation provide a solid platform for Varuni ahead of her return to racing.

The daughter of Tagaloa justified short-priced favouritism when breaking her maiden over 1280m on a Good track at this venue in early October.

Drawing an inside barrier for the first time, the filly came home nearly two lengths clear of her rivals before being spelled following that success.

She took another step forward when finishing second over 900m at this circuit in the second of two trials ahead of her return, with those performances suggesting softer ground will pose no issue despite all three race starts coming on Good going.

Representing the powerful Annabel & Rob Archibald stable, the filly has drawn favourably and is selected to make a winning return.