The Australian mare Bedtime Stories was 28 races into her career when she won a five-furlong handicap at Muswellbrook on May 23, her first appearance at the New South Wales racecourse. Bedtime Stories will be back at the same venue for a handicap at about 6 1/2 furlongs on Monday as part of a field of eight. Trained by Brett Partelle since the final months of 2020, Bedtime Stories won for the first time in 11 starts on May 23, closing from fourth in a field of seven. In her career, which began with a victory in June 2018, Bedtimes Stories has won five races at distances ranging from five to six furlongs. Monday’s race at Muswellbrook is her first start beyond six furlongs since a 13th in a regional stakes race at seven furlongs in February 2020. On a more encouraging note, Bedtime Stories was second in a seven-furlong handicap at Grafton Racecourse in July 2019, setting the pace before losing by a nose. :: Get free past performances, analysis, and picks for Australian racing On Monday, Bedtimes Stories figures to be the second choice behind Hard Faith, who is winless in her last eight starts. A 6-year-old mare, Hard Faith has won 5 of 41 starts and has been second or third in four starts this year, all since mid-April. Hard Faith often races near the front and has not been beaten more than 2 1/4 lengths in recent starts, form that gives an indication she can run well in the right conditions. Hard Faith was second in a handicap at about 6 1/2 furlongs at Muswellbrook on May 23, closing from third to miss by about three-quarters of a length. Sausalito is a threat from off the pace. A 6-year-old gelding, Sausalito was an encouraging second by a half-length in a five-furlong handicap at Taree Racecourse on June 7 in his second start after a layoff of four months. Sausalito has every chance to be effective at this longer distance, having won at 6 1/2 furlongs earlier in his career. Muswellbrook’s program begins at 10:10 p.m. Eastern, or 7:10 p.m. Pacific, on Sunday. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.