Race-by-race tips and preview for Hawkesbury on Thursday
By Ray Hickson
Selections based on a soft to heavy track.
RACE 1 – 12.20PM: CONGRATULATIONS ELIZA & SHANNON CG&E MAIDEN PLATE (1300 METRES)
7. Yorkshire launched into action in his most recent trial winning it easily with a strong late burst after finishing near the tail in two others. If that’s a sign he’s ready to go to the races then he’ll be competitive here at 1300m.
Racing returns to Hawkesbury on Thursday.Credit: Getty
Dangers: 8. Everybody Rise is almost a month between runs since finishing off well into second at Kensington over 1150m. Third horse has since won a city maiden. Sure to be a major player. 1. Captain Eagle was a solid favourite on debut at Kembla and seemed to have his chance when beaten half-a-length. That was a soft 6. Couldn’t leave him out. 5. Lone Force attacked the line with some purpose at the end of his trial win at Randwick. Not been far away in all four starts to date.
How to play it: Yorkshire to win.
RACE 2 – 12.55PM: WEDDINGS @ HRC F&M MAIDEN PLATE (1300m)
4. Jawharat Dubai has been a beaten favourite at her past two starts, may have found the front a touch early at Kensington a month ago but she was safely held at the finish by Charming Legend. Certainly no harder here and has another chance.
Dangers: 3. Fugitiva hasn’t done a lot wrong in five starts for four placings and a fourth and wasn’t far away when third at Kembla first-up. One of the chances. 9. Livewire Lass was a huge drifter in betting on debut at Scone but made some ground to just miss a place. Extra trip may be a plus and could show up. 8. Asteride ran on into a place at Kembla before a break so likely to be fitter for the first-up fifth behind I Found You.
How to play it: Jawharat Dubai to win and trifecta 4/3,8,9/3,8,9.
RACE 3 – 1.35PM: HRC MOTEL CLASS 1 & MAIDEN PLATE (2000m)
7. Tietar won a Sale maiden in May then made some good ground behind Piggyback at Randwick a month ago from a long way off them. Back in grade and smaller field suits, and scratchings have opened the race up for him.
Dangers: 6. Tenniel led and controlled the race when scoring a comfortable maiden win at Wyong second-up. Imagine similar tactics will be adopted here and she could take running down. 3. Prince Of Arendell jumped sharply in trip into his third-up placing at Goulburn where he led and boxed on. One of the chances. 4. Girl With Balloon should be ready to show something after three runs back and gets that chance here.
How to play it: Tietar to win.
RACE 4 – 2.10PM: XXXX GOLD PROVINCIAL MAIDEN HANDICAP (1000m)
6. Art’s Alive has taken on some pretty handy races in her four starts including the Golden Gift, Inglis Millennium and a close fourth in the Black Opal preview. Not beaten far in both trials, trained here and can see her being competitive.
Dangers: 11. Cuban Rain was only getting warm at the finish of 1000m on debut at Kembla a few weeks back and while staying at the trip she’s drawn inside and is better for the run. If she’s in touch she could take holding out. 5. Paralia is an interesting debutant from the Kris Lees yard and won a Scone trial a month ago before a close second at Newcastle in his latest. Worth keeping safe. 3. The Grey led them up and found one better when runner-up at Wyong on debut last month. Has the wide gate but open to improvement.
How to play it: Art’s Alive to win.
RACE 5 – 2.50PM: DE BORTOLI WINES SUPER MAIDEN PLATE (1500m)
4. Mega Fight has been threatening to win a race for a little while and did a big job after missing the start by five lengths when runner-up over this course two weeks ago. Handles all ground and if he can step cleanly he’ll be in the finish.
Dangers: 9. Fakhra loomed to win at Newcastle first-up but didn’t quite put it away as she found one better late. Fitter for it and is another who appears close to that breakthrough. Definite chance. 12. Webejamin found the line with purpose to just miss in a 1300m maiden here at her second start. No reason why she couldn’t be a player here with further improvement. 3. Ceremonious is a big watch first-up after two trials, placed four of five in Victoria and has a 4kg claim. 13. Inception has also had two starts and improved into his second when third here two weeks ago at 1400m. Blinkers go on and has each-way claims.
How to play it: Mega Fight to win.
RACE 6 – 3.25PM RICHMOND CLUB CG&E BENCHMARK 64 HANDICAP (1100m)
4. Triskelion showed promise winning on debut but form tapered off a bit in three subsequent runs. Now in the Waller camp and has trialled twice with the latest a nice piece of work at the end of 900m from a fair way off them. Market will be key, respect.
Dangers: 8. Eastern Front promised a bit last time in as well and went to a break with a dominant win at Wyong in February over this trip. Not really exposed in his trials, he’ll be strong late and is one to keep an eye on. 1. Tulla Park might be running back into form if his third-up second at Wagga is any pointer. Back in class here and has found a winnable race. 2. Chartwell held his ground OK first-up behind Iron Man at Canterbury and this is a step down from that. Capable of improvement.
How to play it: Triskelion to win and trifecta 4/1,2,8/1,2,8.
RACE 7 – 4.05PM: LANDER TOYOTA F&M BENCHMARK 64 HANDICAP (1100m)
9. Koby Girl won on debut at Wyong then spelled after missing a place at 1400m here back in February. Shown speed in both trials this time in and bumped into a handy one when second in her latest at Randwick. Expect her to give a good account fresh.
Dangers: 2. Royal Invader hasn’t won for a while but ran a nice race fresh at Warwick Farm and comes here with blinkers on back in grade. She’s rarely far away and has to be respected. 1. To The Extreme was a drifter in betting first-up but tried hard when a close third at Kembla over 1000m. Weight rise here suggests she’s down in class back against the mares and can only be fitter. Well worth considering. 5. Nightingale seemed to struggle a bit in the heavy 10 at Kembla on April 9 when leading and weakening. Had a couple of well spread out trials since then and she should be kept in the mix as any improvement in the track is in her favour.
How to play it: Koby Girl each-way.
RACE 8 – 4.40PM: CLARENDON TAVERN MIDWAY CLASS 1 HANDICAP (1500m)
11. Sing A Love Song has won one from 22 but he’s been solid in two runs back including a closing second here then made ground from last when midfield to Pure Alpha at Kensington. Back in class here looks enough speed for him to be effective.
Dangers: 4. Pluckten is lightly raced and attacked the line hard second-up at Dubbo to just miss over 1300m. Extra ground looks a plus and this is not beyond his reach. 10. La Belle Claire had control in front and was able to cruise away with a maiden over the Wyong mile at her fourth run back. Might have some competition for the lead here but gets every chance from the inside gate. 3. Irish Bliss has been racing well with a win and three placings this time in, gets the blinkers on after a game second at Scone a month ago. Has an each-way chance at least.
How to play it: Sing A Love Song each-way.
Best Bets:
Race 2: (4) Jawharat Dubai
Race 6: (4) Triskelion
Best Value:
Race 3: (1) Barazin
Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au
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