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By Grahame Timbrell

Philip Atkins understands that X factor that sets good horses aside from ordinary horses and he believes that Musical Query has it.

He saw it in the now retired In Cahoots that won more than $400,000 in prize money from only 14 starts and campaigned successfully in Melbourne at Group and Listed level for the trainer before a suspensory injury brought his career to an end.

He refuses to even consider comparing Musical Query to In Cahoots but he does admit the filly has that same factor that he hopes will take her to bigger and better things. Musical Query heads back to Muswellbrook on Friday for the Barry Frances Daniel Memorial Class One (1000m) after an impressive maiden win at the track 16 days ago.

That win was on a heavy track and she is likely to strike the same conditions with the track currently rated a heavy 8.

“That won’t worry her, we know she can handle it,” Atkins said.

“This is her third run back from a spell and she has come on since then so there should be room for more improvement.

“She is never going to be a big filly.

“We took our time with her hoping she would grow but it didn’t happen and while it would have been nice she still wants to be a race horse and that’s the important part.”

Alison Threadwell, who has played a big part in getting Musical Query to where she is today, again has the ride.

Threadwell has been aboard the filly from day one, riding her in three of her four trials, in most of her track work and in her three race starts for seconds at Cessnock and Newcastle her Muswellbrook win.

View the fields and form (including race replays) for Muswellbrook's Friday meeting here.

SELECTIONS 1.-12.15, RUBICK @ COOLMORE MAIDEN, 1000m: HAMIKO 1, Hayden Boy 2, Contributing 3, Heart Of Silver 4.

2.-12.50, GODOLPHIN 2YO COUNTRY PLATE, 1000m: WHITSUNDAY 1, Aunt Liberty 2, Deneeky 3, Chalmers 4.

3.-1.25, TAB.COM.AU BENCHMARK 65, 1000m: QUICK CASH 1, Time Stripper 2, Johnny Roo Boy 3, Mossman’s Gold 4.

4.-2.05, SHALAA @ ARROWFIELD MAIDEN, 1450m: FAITH IN BEERS 1, Albert Of Monaco 2, Sports Tycoon 3, Quite Unexpected 4.

5.-2.40, BARRY FRANCIS DANIEL MEMORIAL CLASS ONE, 1000m: MUSICAL QUERY 1, Summer’s Bird 2, The Veal Thing 3, Drummish 4.

6.-3.15, GLODOLPHIN BENCHMARK 54, 1500m: AEROJET 1, Malibu Stacy 2, Thundering Heart 3, Mai Gomeroi 4.

7.-3.50, PIERRO @ COOLMORE CLASS THREE, 1280m: SADHIKA 1, Portatorio 2, Buon Natale 3, Snappy One 4.

8.-4.25, MIKKI ISLE @ ARROWFIELD STUD CLASS ONE, 1450m: WE’RE SMOKIN 1, Bend It Like Benny 2, Renown 3, Jack’s Image 4.

Best Bets: Whitsunday, Musical Query, We’re Smokin.