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Tips and race by race preview by Ray Hickson for Thursday’s Hawkesbury meeting. Selections based on a good to soft track.

5. Tuffask had his first run for the new stable and hit the line with some purpose into second at Kembla last week on a heavy track. If he can replicate that on a firmer track he has a good chance to break through and the trip poses no worries.

Dangers: 7. Carolina Fire was sent out favourite first-up at Goulburn (provincial level) and had no luck at a vital stage, probably should have finished in the placings. Fitter for that and is well worth another chance. 2. Deniliquin made some ground then went a bit one paced late at Goulburn fresh. Fitter and open to improvement in a winnable race. 4. Straya Pride has been around the placings of late, seemed to have his chance as favourite over a mile here last time but is in the mix again.

How to play it: Tuffask WIN ($4.00 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

1. For Valour showed some promise early running second to Private Eye on debut. Latest trials have been good enough to suggest he can be hard to beat fresh in a race that looks to have only a few winning chances.

Dangers: 8. Vitae was no match for the winner second-up at Newcastle but did hit the line well into second. Major drifter in betting there so expect her to be even fitter and from gate one looks a threat. 7. Our Lancette was well supported at Wyong last time and only worked home fairly behind the placegetters. She's been threatening to do something this prep with three fourths so worth keeping in mind. 3. Fine Impact hasn't done a lot on race day as yet but he looked good in a trial here a few weeks back, rolling along at his leisure. Plenty of gear changes and could be an improver.

How to play it: For Valour WIN ($1.80 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

7. Adelinda ran a little below expectation first-up but wasn't disgraced then signalled a win isn't far off with a closing effort here just over a week ago. Nicely drawn and everything suggests the trip will be to her liking. Good chance.

Dangers: 10. What A Peach finished half a length in front of Adelinda first-up then seemed to have her chance at Gosford when runner-up as a $2.30 chance. Perhaps she wants the extra trip too and is worth another shot. 8. Hot Dancing has been freshened up since a couple of runs in September including an even fourth on a heavy track at Orange. Newcastle debut was okay and looks an each-way chance. 4. Grand Palazzo hit the line hard second-up at Moruya but was very flat at Nowra last weekend when well fancied. Is better than that and could be a sharp improver if she backs up.

How to play it: Adelinda WIN ($2.80 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

6. Illustrating Law did everything right for the first time in three starts when he led all the way at Gosford a couple of weeks ago. Up in class naturally but drawn to be handy again and should have his chance to repeat the effort. Read trainer Blake Ryan's comments here.

Dangers: 8. Smirnova was sent out favourite on debut at Newcastle and had a nice run before finishing too well to score over 900m. Looks promising and is the logical horse to beat. 3. Tympanist was a heavy track winner here back in June and showed readiness with a solid trial win at Rosehill recently. If the 1000m isn't too sharp under race conditions he could feature in the finish. 5. Flash Point ran a couple of nice placings last time in and trialled quite well behind Splintex last month. Blinkers off and drawn soft, one to keep an eye on.

How to play it: Illustrating Law E/W ($6.50 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: EVENS.

9. Sabalenka is a very interesting first starter who trialled very nicely at Warwick Farm a couple of weeks ago, winning with ease. Awkward gate but if there's any support for her she might be the one. Each-way at least.

Dangers: 5. The Maxinator started favourite but was no match for Rupertaar on debut here back in July on a soft 7 track. Still a handy effort and with the benefit of a break and a couple of trials he could be harder to beat. 10. Savourer looked to travel smoothly in winning her latest trial at Rosehill last month. Another first starter to be wary of and betting a good guide. 6. Wheel recorded a couple of nice placings at his first two starts before running last at Canterbury though only beaten 1.6 lengths. Cruisy trial leading in and drawn one. Keep safe.

How to play it: Sabalenka E/W ($7.50 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS.

5. Coppersonic is coming off a maiden win but it was a very impressive one over the same course a month ago. Swept into the race strongly late there and while up in class should be hard to hold out again.

Dangers: 6. Cryptogram is another last start maiden winner and hers was by almost five lengths at Goulburn (provincial level) at her second run from a break. With some luck in running from an awkward gate she could repeat. 7. Capri Of Tuffy ran a handy race fresh at this track then ran into the placings at Newcastle just over a week ago. Goes to 1500m now but she's honest and is one of the chances. 3. Obvious Step is enigmatic but she's definitely good enough to win a race like this if things go her way. Just fair at Warwick Farm last time, her effort in a Midway first-up is good enough to feature in this.

How to play it: Coppersonic E/W ($6.50 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

1. Caesars Palace acquitted himself well when resuming in a handy field at Goulburn (provincial) two weeks ago. Fitter for that and did run well second-up last prep at 1200m so this trip suits better. Strong claims.

Dangers: 5. Long Weekend was kept a little busy in front when missing a place here at the last meeting. Form around his previous two placings is solid and if he gets an easier time on pace he can take running down. 7. Garmish sat handy and responded when the runs came on the turn to break through at his third start at Gosford. Up in class here but maps well and capable of being in the finish. 8. Sagrado gets the blinkers on after four runs back and while beaten under two lengths here last time he did only battle home. Maybe the shades will be a spark and he's an each-way chance.

How to play it: Caesars Palace WIN ($3.20 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS.

2. Dhakuri was scratched from Kensington to run here and if he has a bit of early luck finding a place should be hard to beat. Found himself too far back in a slowly run race when beaten favourite last time.

Dangers: 4. Fine Ruby has a great record at this track and was far too strong scoring over this course on October 10. Took advantage of barrier one to win there and drawn well again. Definite chance. 7. Seduction Queen has been placed at both runs this time in and the extra distance can only be in her favour. One of the main chances. 1. Van Gogh led all the way over a mile at Newcastle then couldn't lead and just boxed on at Warwick Farm last start. Best efforts are when he leads so worth another chance.

How to play it: Dhakuri WIN ($4.40 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: EVENS.