Selections based on a good track.
Race 1 – 1.25PM CLARENDON TAVERN HANDICAP (2000 METRES)
Prepared to forgive 2. Quality Approach for his fair effort in a leader dominated race at Randwick last week where he was off the bit well before the turn. To be beaten only a couple of lengths wasn’t a disgrace and he has blinkers added. Expect he’ll be stalking the leader and will have his chance to pounce.
Dangers: 1. Hostwin Epanoui is the logical horse to beat. He’ll lead and has shown a bit of fight in successive wins at this track in recent weeks. Whether he runs out the 2000m will depend on how well he’s rated up front and that’s really the only query. 3. Commentator showed his first glimpse of form hitting the line strongly late into third behind Mangione at Canterbury when out beyond a mile for the first time. Like to see him do it again but certainly has the opportunity. 4. Down Stage ran into a placing behind Hostwin Epanoui two starts back the did nothing staying at 1500m. Entitled to improve here but place still best.
How to play it: Quality Approach WIN.
Eight races await racing fans at Hawkesbury for this midweek meeting.Credit:Jenny Evans
Race 2 – 2PM ROBERT OATLEY WINES HANDICAP (1000 METRES)
The good each-way odds available about 8. Ariege appeal back onto a good track. She had plenty of support on debut at Kembla last month and was only beaten two lengths on heavy ground. Since then she’s been back to the trials and looked good so expecting her to improve, and she doesn’t need to lift a whole lot to be competitive.
Dangers: 3. Amicus Agrippa looked a lot better in his second trial as he cruised to an easy win at Rosehill. Drawn to be right on the speed on debut and he’s the first starter that commands plenty of respect. 5. Swelt debuted back in March in a maiden won by Lean Mean Machine, who has obviously gone on to better things. He had his chance in that race but with a bit of time and a couple of sound trials under his belt he might be a better horse this time in. If so then he’s right in the finish. 2. Hemsted found one better in both starts last time in but did show some fight in the latest at Newcastle. Typical easy trial leading into this and while drawn wide he might appreciate 1000m with the blinkers off.
How to play it: Ariege E/W.
Race 3 – 2.35PM SKY RACING HANDICAP (1100 METRES)
Above And Beyond showed what he’s made of with a dominant first-up maiden win at Gosford and there’s no reason he won’t progress through this class as well. He pounced straight on the lead and there was never a moment of worry when a well-backed favourite that day and he’ll be the one to run down again. Looks up to city company and if that’s the case he wins again.
Dangers: 2. Evict had a few shaky moments first-up at this track but managed to hold them off to score a popular win. He might be more effective when taking a sit and may have that option here so he’s a threat. 4. Kathaire would appreciate a bit of pace on up front coming back in distance after an even effort at Randwick a month ago. Placed in five of eight starts at this track so can’t be left out of the chances. 1. Only Wanna Sing was in the market and led first-up at Kembla before weakening late. Back a notch in class, drawn well and if he can find his best form from earlier this year he can be hard to beat.
How to play it: Above And Beyond WIN; Trifecta 3/1,2,4/1,2,4.
Race 4 – 3.10PM EASY LANE PLATE (1300 METRES)
Heloise is the big watch of this race on debut on the back of a very nice trial at Warwick Farm a few weeks back. Usually when these young Godolphin trial well they race well and there was something about the way she worked home that says she has some ability. Any support would be encouraging. Sure to show something here.
Dangers: 10. Sizzling Ace was never a threat despite being sent out favourite first-up at the Farm six weeks ago. Interesting that there’s been a break between runs. She’ll need to show a lot more desire than in that fresh effort else her Group 2 placings in May might go down as a bit of a fluke. Have to include but she’s on notice. 5. Galina is another that has promised a lot more than she’s delivered so far. Simply too far back at Kembla last start off a wide gate and probably did well to run into third. Another chance for her to break through here if she wants it. 3. Royal Anthem likely finds this a touch short first-up but there was so much to like about her trial a couple of weeks ago she’s worth throwing into the trifectas and keeping an eye on her for when she steps up in trip.
How to play it: Heloise E/W.
Race 5 – 3.45PM TAB.COM.AU PLATE (1300 METRES)
May be going a run too soon with 9. War Deck but he will appreciate stepping up in distance after being run off his feet on debut at Gosford. He didn’t do a bad job sticking on for fourth there and should have an opportunity to compose himself up in trip. He’ll still probably get back but expecting him to be running on strongly.
Dangers: 7. Charretera trialled only fairly last time at Randwick but did sit wide, quite liked the previous trial despite being on the synthetic track and any debutant from the Snowden camp is worth a look when they step out on the back of passable trials. 5. Wokurna didn’t appear to have any excuses for his debut defeat when a well-backed favourite over the same course last month. Open to improvement obviously and the support there should be respected. Worth another chance. 1. El Coyote wasn’t suited by the drop of 200m at his second start, despite being fresh, but he closed off the race in good fashion late to go down narrowly. Possibly wants further than this but he’s in the mix.
How to play it: War Deck E/W.
Race 6 – 4.20PM LIVAMOL CONDITIONAL HANDICAP (1000 METRES)
Skyray developed into a reliable type last time in with a couple of wins and a string of honest performances. Smashed them before a break at Kembla and comes into this race with a handy enough trial under his belt. If the 1000m isn’t a touch too slick for him he should be very hard to hold out late.
Dangers: 5. Anna’s Joy arguably should have won first-up at Wagga, she was badly held up until the race was basically all over but still managed to dive late. She was favourite there and has been competitive in provincial company so she’s not out of place in this lineup. Solid threat. 3. Cyclonite won well over this course first-up then even effort behind a subsequent city winner at Newcastle. Outclassed at Flemington last week and should be a lot more competitive here. 2. Shantou has a handy first-up record and her two trials back have been on the quiet side so look to the market for a pointer to where she’s at. Only failures last time were in a Listed race and on a heavy track so well worth considering.
How to play it: Skyray WIN; Trifecta 1/2,3,5/2,3,5.
Race 7 – 4.55PM HAWKESBURY RACE CLUB MEMBERS HANDICAP (1600 METRES)
6. Wolfe was an alarming drifter on debut at Kembla but the result was never really in doubt as he led and put them away late off a wide alley. Extra 200m here only suits him on pedigree and he’ll be right up in the firing line again. Looked very smart at his only start and he could well go on with it.
Dangers: 5. Via Veneto has promised a little bit and been around the mark in town on wet tracks. Resumed with a late closing second at Kembla on the same day as Wolfe but in slower time. Fitter and she’s the logical danger. 8. Ivy’s Court comes through the same race and was well in the market there in finishing alongside her stablemate. That was her first local run and she is a winner twice over a mile. Respect. 2. Savvy Ken showed some staying promise last time in and kicking off at 1600m will suit him. Probably one you’d best keep an eye on for next time but no surprise to see him give some cheek here.
How to play it: Wolfe WIN; Trifecta 6/2,5,8/2,5,8.
Race 8 – 5.30PM HAWKESBURY RACE CLUB MOTEL HANDICAP (2000 METRES)
Momentum To Win has a few convictions but comes out of stronger races than his opposition and gets his chance. Held up a bit before hitting the line late at Randwick behind Miss Shanti when back 100m and would only have to run up to that effort to take holding out. Last win was over this course back in March. Hard to beat.
Dangers: 1. Devil’s Lair has certainly had his chance to win at his last couple at this track and will appreciate coming back to his right class after a solid third last week. That said he was beaten in a similar race over 1800m two starts ago. Must include but no good thing. 6. On Angels Wings finished ahead of Devil’s Lair when they met in that race on October 25 then back in distance last week in what looks like a gap run. She should be a lot more competitive up in trip and she was an easy winner here in September at 1800m. 9. Happy Partner has a poor winning rate but tends to figure in the placings regularly. Hit the line when it was all over in the same race as mentioned above and he had some support there. One to throw in the trifectas at least.
How to play it: Momentum To Win WIN; Quinella 1 & 5.
Supplied by Racing NSW.
Full form and race replays at racingnsw.com.au
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