Race-by-race preview and tips for Hawkesbury on Saturday
By Ray Hickson
RACE 1 – 11.20AM ST JOHNS PARK BOWLING CLUB 2YO CLARENDON STAKES (1400m)
2. Trafalgar Square does look a progressive filly and she put it all together when racing away with a maiden at Canterbury third up. She did have gate one and a nice run but was dominant. The track condition will be vital for her. She didn’t seem to love the heavy 9 in the Kindergarten but that’s a different league. First use of the track a plus, if she can find that nice spot with cover she should be strong late. 5. Monte Veebee was sent out a $21 chance on debut and really attacked the line as he charged into second behind Imperial Force at Canterbury. Should lap up the 1400m. 1. Commanding Artist looks a talent in the making and he’s back having broken through at his second start at Eagle Farm in January.
How to play it: Trafalgar Square to win.
Schwarz is top selection in the Hawkesbury Guineas.Credit: Getty
RACE 2 – 11.55PM MIDWAY HCP (1500m)
5. Go Troppo might be close to another win if his second-up performance in the Midway at Randwick two weeks ago is any pointer. Found himself right out the back but he found the line full of purpose in a race where it was tough to make ground. He’s getting up to his preferred distance range now and if he can get through the field without any trouble he’s a good each-way chance. 6. Putt For Dough won that race and the way he finished it off you’d think that 1500m holds no fears. 9. Always Sure is another who backs up from that Midway and he’s another that is just about ready to fire, not that his two runs from a long break have been average at all. 2. Victory Lane had a tough run in the Provincial-Midway Championships Final and that can be wiped from the record. Handled all conditions and well worth another chance.
How to play it: Go Troppo E/W.
RACE 3 – 12.30PM TAB HIGHWAY HCP (1500m)
9. Gentileschi is the up and comer of the field and she’s left a pretty good impression so far in her career, particularly this time in as she’s gone up a notch with two very easy wins and on varying track conditions. A Highway is a step up for her but she’s earned the shot at it, finds James McDonald and that will make her even more popular. The one to beat. 16. Himorher is also coming up to Highway grade now after a couple of country wins, and again on differing surfaces, having got the job done at Muswellbrook six weeks ago. That’s the main query, the gap between runs, but she’s a chance at odds. 2. Bandasha has the Dunn-Rawiller combination on his side and he commands a bit of respect on that alone. Tried hard when narrowly beaten at Doomben three weeks back.
How to play it: Gentileschi to win.
RACE 4 – 1.05PM BLAKES MARINE BENCHMARK 78 HCP (1800m)
3. Kureder hasn’t been fancied in two runs back over shorter trips but he signalled with his second-up effort at Canterbury that he’s in good order. Dashed home from last to run a close second there at 1550m, his four career wins have come over further so this trip is ideal. Looks a good chance for him. 2. Noisy Boy had a crack at the ATC Derby after a game second in the Tulloch and perhaps it was the 2400m on a heavy that slowed him down. If we’re dealing with a reasonable surface he’d only have to repeat his efforts in the Tulloch and the Phar Lap before that to be a major player. 12. Agita is heading the right way now after an excellent effort into second behind Redbreast over 1400m on the Kensington. Much better suited up this distance and he’s an each-way hope.
How to play it: Kureder to win.
RACE 5 – 1.40PM HAWKESBURY XXXX GOLD RUSH (1100m)
4. Parisal appears well suited to run a big race first up at a trip she’s been unstoppable so far in her career. Nice improvement into her second trial on a soft track, draws to get a perfect run and she opened last prep with a win.
13. Xtravagant Star gets a nice weight drop on her popular win at Doomben a few weeks ago in what is a harder race but she brings race fitness on her side and handles a bit of give in the ground. Started in the market in the Birthday Card two runs back and must be considered. 14. Noble Soldier was an upset winner when resuming last time in at Randwick and is very competitive in BM88 grade. Easy work to win a Kembla trial leading in and he’s one of those horses that you have to include at odds as he fires fresh and handles all ground.
How to play it: Parisal to win.
RACE 6 – 2.15PM PIONEER SERVICES HAWKESBURY CROWN (1300m)
13. Willinga Beast had quite the hard luck story in the Provincial-Midway Championships Final, no idea where she would have finished but it would have been a lot closer than seventh beaten three lengths. She’ll need a different kind of luck from a wide gate here but that’s not always a minus, especially if there’s rain around. Just the one win to her name but she’s better than her record shows.
5. Shadows Of Love was left in front a long way out in the same race and was gallant holding on for third. She did beat Willinga Beast in the Qualifier at Gosford and is logically one of the major chances. 4. Razeta was placed in the Guineas at this meeting last year and would like a wet track. Has run on as usual at her past couple to be just behind the placings and is always a chance especially if they run along up front.
How to play it: Willinga Beast E/W.
RACE 7 – 2.50PM WORKERS CLUB GROUP HAWKESBURY GUINEAS (1400m)
1. Schwarz is a promising type who had no luck at all in the Arrowfield when solid in the market. Went for the inside run that closed on him early in the straight and it’s a case of what might have been given he was only beaten two lengths. Has another inside gate here but he’s clearly the one to beat. 7. Konasana powered home from the second half of the field to win the James Carr on a heavy track second up. Draw suits her style and any rain a plus for her. 4. Butch Cassidy has been solid in two runs back from a spell and might be ready to peak now. Led them up in the South Pacific and only went down half a length. Should roll forward here and can take some running down.
How to play it: Schwarz to win.
RACE 8 – 3.25PM RICHMOND CLUB HAWKESBURY GOLD CUP (1600m)
1. Detonator Jack ran an honest race in the Doncaster and isn’t badly placed here with top weight. He’s rarely put in a bad one and can make some use of an inside barrier to be better than midfield. He does love the wet if it gets to be trying ground and is a definite chance. 15. Jojo Was A Man ran third in this race last year and hasn’t started since running second in the Ladies Day Cup over this course on a heavy track. Different prep for him tackling a mile first up, but he’s had three trials and is a genuine miler. 3. Berkshire Shadow also comes through the Doncaster and while he ran 14th he didn’t have the best of luck. His European credentials are excellent and while drawn the outside he could be a big improver. 5. Attractable could get a few favours up on speed, and he’s had a confidence boosting trial win in the blinkers. Big Dance winner who could easily bounce back.
How to play it: Detonator Jack to win.
RACE 9 – 4.05PM THE LAWN SHED BENCHMARK 88 HCP (1400m)
17. Fall For Cindy did more than enough when resuming behind Green Shadows at Warwick Farm a month ago to suggest she’s on target to continue her excellent second-up form. She’s two from two under those conditions and gets into this race with just 50.5kg, an 8kg drop on last start. Can handle a soft track and looks a good chance. 6. Excelladus is a big watch first up, especially if we’re on a soft track. He acquitted himself well last preparation on good ground, which is a handy pointer for when he strikes some give in the track, and his record in that situation is superior. Can run well fresh. 4. Kibou won first up last prep in a tough effort then the wheels fell off in two subsequent runs. He’s trialled nicely and while drawn wide is a natural on pacer and will cruise across. Have to include him in the major hopes. 1. Brigantine is a lot better than his first-up run in the Star Kingdom suggests. Trialled well since and with the claim isn’t badly placed. Expect improvement.
How to play it: Fall For Cindy to win.
RACE 10 – 4.55PM CLARENDON TAVERN BENCHMARK 78 HCP (1100m)
11. Chilli Filly has the upside given she’s only raced four times with both wins coming on soft tracks. Her Boxing Day win has turned out to be quite a good form race and she’s very easy to like. 3. Contemporary is always around the mark at this level and resumes after a scene-stealing win at Randwick at the end of last year. Handles all ground and expect him to run well fresh. 9. Queen Of The Mile tried hard when narrowly beaten first up at Canterbury. Probably doesn’t want a heap of rain but must respect. 6. Fire Lane disappointed first up at Wyong, but her recent trial was more like it. Local who can be a big improver here.
How to play it: Chilli Filly to win.
Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au