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HAWKESBURY– BEST BET: Race 1 # 2 – Zardozi
Is a lightly raced improver on an upwards ratings spiral, and she won impressively at this track last start. The filly had every chance, but her performance was full of merit, and the clock backed up her visual dominance. Further, she ran the meetings fastest final 200m, went through the line full of energy and did it in style. Although she meets some of her key rivals worse off at the weights, all key indicators suggest she can step off that performance and will be hard to beat with even luck.
HAWKESBURY – NEXT BEST: Race 7 # 9 – Razeta
Bolted in last start to win the Listed South Pacific Classic (1400m) and produced a career peak figure. She was well-ridden but put her rivals away quickly with a burst of acceleration, clocking one of the fastest 400m-200m splits of the meeting. Earlier in her campaign, she raced well behind Group 1 winners In Secret and Sunshine In Paris. The Kris Lees galloper can sprint of slow/fast tempos and maps well. Deserves to be shorter than the current quote.
HAWKESBURY – SECTIONAL STAR: RACE 8 # 10 – Never Talk
Was 42 days between runs last start in the Group 2 Sapphire Stakes (1200m) and ran on well to snatch second place. The five-year-old got too far back in the run, and Punter's Intelligence recorded her late strength running one of the fastest final 200m splits of the meeting in 12.02. She has a negative race pattern, but her run in this race last year had merit after having the pace/bias against her. Expect her to be savaging the line and look to have the last shot.
HAWKESBURY – HORSE TO WATCH: RACE 6 # 4 – Titanium Power
Looks to have come back well after having one soft trial where he wasn't extended at Warwick Farm. The gelding is an ultra-consistent performer and is set for another solid campaign. He has a strong record at Hawkesbury and won well first-up last prep. Expect him to be more suited deeper into a prep over more ground, but he is a possible knockout chance fresh.
NEWCASTLE – PROVINCIAL PICK: Race 6 # 9 – Seton Hall
Was specked $8-$6.5 late in the trade on debut at this track and was only narrowly beaten. The Hawkes gelding wasn't suited to settling at the rear of the field in a very slow tempo and had to make a long-wide, sustained run. He brings the best last-start figure into this assignment, and his sectional profile suggests he can bounce off that performance. The three-year-old has a nice action, is a real trier and can outsprint his key rivals.
