3 minute read

Tips and race by race preview by Nick Berney for Thursday’s Hawkesbury meeting. Selections based on a good track. Monitor for bias/pattern.

1. California Press was solid last start in a high-rating race at this track which has since produced a subsequent winner. Further, the gelding found the line well and ran one of the fastest final 600m splits of the meeting in 33.44. The Snowden galloper must contend with a tricky draw, but the anticipated genuine tempo will allow him to run on. In addition, he is coming through time/sectional merit races, and all key indicators suggest he is ready to peak third-up.

Dangers: 3. Smooth Flight resumes after one quiet trial but raced well last campaign. The gelding has multiple winning figures and maps to have all favours. He is a key late-market watch. 2. Mr Wallace returned as a gelding first-up at Gosford, beating the rest easily in a time race. Expect him to improve again. 12. Ishani resumes after a solid trial and last prep; she ran an honest fourth behind subsequent Group 1 winner In Secret at this track. Add 8. Romeos Choice to trifectas and first fours.

How to play it: California Press WIN ($8.00 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Forget 8. Let's Try last start at this track/distance where nothing went right after racing wide throughout and was keen. Prior to that start, his run had hidden merit, and he clocked one of the fastest closing 400m splits of the meeting in 22.40. The three-year-old is ready to peak third-up from a soft draw and represents value. Each-way.

Dangers: 1. Spitfire had no luck first-up at Kembla, where he was checked/blocked for most of the straight. The gelding receives a senior rider, a positive map, and has multiple winning figures. 6. Wild Irish Rover has trialled well, and if he gets luck from the draw, he is a definite chance. 10. Good Lieutenant can improve being ridden with cover and add 7. Covalent, who has a strong starting price profile.

How to play it: Let's Try E/W ($13 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Debutant 7. Cosmic Field is wound-up and ready to run well after two strong trials. The gelding recently won a heat at Newcastle in fast time relative to the morning under light riding. He looks a nice type, can roll forward and expect a bold showing.

Dangers: Stablemate 2. Edge Of Reward has raced all campaign consistently and was honest in defeat last start at Newcastle with a big gap to third. Further, the winner of that race, Wrafthful, has subsequently come out and won. Debutante 13. Princess Mary has a tricky draw to contend with but has a strong grounding for this after trailing well over 1250m at Kensington. 10. Tsarism found the line well first up and must go in all exotics.

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

1. Fashion Legend resumes after two solid trials and hit the line hard to win a recent heat at Kensington. The gelding raced consistently in his first preparation in time/sectional merit events and brings superior form lines. In addition, he looks to have come back improved and expect him to savage the line.

Dangers: 2. Shadow Vampire is a 1000m specialist and broke through for his maiden win at Kembla last start. Moreover, the second placegetter in that event, Iowna Merc, has since won. He has a fitness edge, and a senior rider goes on. 5. Inequality was wide first-up and battled on ok. He can bounce back and can rate to win. Add 3. Bottom Bar who is an honest type and can give a sight.

How to play it: Fashion legend WIN ($2.00 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

1. Chenin had excuses first-up in stronger grade at Kensington and battled on fairly for fifth place. The four-year-old can bounce back with the blinkers coming off and will undoubtedly be fitter from that effort. Last prep, she contested listed/Group races, and her last win came at this track. Expect her to roll forward and run boldly.

Dangers: 2. Not Negotiating, who represents value, had no luck last start in the Little Dance (1600m) at Randwick. The seven-year-old is reaching peak fitness, maps to have all favours and can improve significantly here. Additionally, she gets in well at the weights after the claim and can rate to win. 7. Opito Ballerina is rock hard fit and racing well/consistently. 3. Tavi Lamour is more suited on a wet track but receives blinkers for the first time.

How to play it: Chenin WIN ($4.20 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

2. Kingdom Of Gold, who profiles well for this race, is the only last-start winner and is proven over the distance. The four-year-old relished the high-pressure event at Gosford 12 days ago and excelled being back onto a dry surface. Further, repeating that performance/figure will put him in the finish, and he draws perfectly.

Dangers: 4. Moon Stories is improving throughout his campaign and looks set to produce a peak performance. He receives a gear change and the step-up in distance suits. 6. Kozluca wasn't suited last start and can bounce back here. Add 3. White Boots to trifectas and first fours.

How to play it: Kingdom Of Gold WIN ($3.70 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: EVENS.

8. The Maxinator wasn't suited first-up at Kembla 16 days ago and ran on ok. He'll be fitter for that effort, receives a gear change and expect an aggressive ride from the soft draw. In addition, Jason Collett goes on and last prep he won at this track/distance. Each-way.

Dangers: 5. All Machiavellian can bounce back with a quieter ride here and receives a key gear change. Some query back in distance, but he has the ability/figures to win this. 1. Rebel County resumes and has trialled well enough over 1030m at Rosehill recently. He has strong form lines, is a consistent type and is drawn well to run a bold race first up. 2. Silver City and Flying Sultan both must step-up in grade but bring winning form.

How to play it: The Maxinator E/W ($6.00 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

3. Rosovo started a $4 favourite at this track/distance last start but just got too far back in the run. Moreover, he ran on well and kept building to the line, suggesting he is ready to peak third-up. The gelding has a tricky race setup, but the anticipated genuine tempo will give him his chance, and he brings a competitive ratings profile.

Dangers: 1. Tenderize finally struck a dry track and broke through for his maiden win at this track/distance 14 days ago. Further, repeating that performance/figure can put him in the finish, and he will roll forward. 7. Altivo was run to suit but made significant ground to score on debut at Newcastle. He can step off that performance, and the rise in distance is ideal. 9. Surfers Royale is rock-hard fit and add 4. Duke Of Buckingham who receives a gear change.

How to play it: Rosovo WIN ($4.40 TAB Fixed Odds) & Tenderize WIN ($7.50 TAB Fixed Odds).
Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Best Bet: Race 2 # 8 – Let's Try

Next Best: Race 6 # 2 – Kingdom Of Gold

Best Value: Race 8 # 3 – Rosovo & # 13 – Tenderize