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By John Schell

An in-depth look at the chances of every runner in Saturday's $150,000 Polytrack Provincial-Midway Championships Qualifier (1400m) at Hawkesbury.

1. DREAM HOUR (Kris Lees): Had been racing well with a win on the Kensington track before not being disgraced in a Rosehill event then did a good job when hitting the line well to win the Gateway at Eagle Farm which in turn gave him automatic entry into the Stradbroke Handicap. Was spelled after that and has had two trials to prepare for this. Goes well fresh and over this distance and drawn well here. Should be hard to hold out.

2. TRUE CRIME (Kim Waugh): Form towards the end of last campaign was below best then won two trials before resuming from a spell with another disappointing effort when safely held at Rosehill. Capable of improving into this and a forward showing would not be a shock.

3. WILLINGA FREEFALL (Kris Lees): Resumes from a spell here on the back of two barrier trials. Was highly consistent last campaign when following a couple of city placings in Sydney with an Eagle Farm victory before a second behind Freedom Rally at the same track. Has the talent to give this a shake on the back of a good fresh record.

True Crime (Pic: Steve Hart)

4. CONVINCEBILITY (Kris Lees): Finished second in a couple of city grade races last campaign then ran fifth at Warwick Farm when not beaten far before being spelled. Resumed with a down the track effort at Rosehill and has had a trial since then which he won in good style. Knockout chance with the benefit of improvement from the first-up run.

5. LITTLE BEGINNINGS (Kris Lees): Was a winner on the Beaumont track at Newcastle three starts back then failed to flatter at Warwick Farm after racing on the speed and dropping out. Since had a trial before failing to beat a runner home at Canterbury and would need to show a turnaround in form to be considered a factor in this.

6. SAILOR (Kris Lees): Finished third behind Spaltet at Warwick Farm last campaign then was down the track in the Coonamble Cup before being spelled. Had two solid trials before resuming with a third at Hawkesbury when not beaten far. This is harder and place claims look best again.

7. SHORT SHORTS (Brad Widdup): Was placed in Group 3 grade in the Dark Jewel at Scone last year before being spelled. Had three runs in the spring and failed to figure in the placings in any of them but has won two trials to prepare for this return and excels when fresh. On her home track here and should take plenty of beating.

8. LUAI (Claire Lever): Has hit his straps of late winning his latest three starts on end, all at Bathurst. Has started favourite in each of them but is up significantly in class for this. Place claims look absolute best this time around.

9. HEADSTOCK (Robert & Luke Price): Kembla Grange winner last September when led and held on well then missed a place at that track before being spelled. Resumed with a safely held effort at this track then missed a place again last time out. Might be aiming a little high in this.

10. C’MON MATE (Ross McConville): Comes into this with the same formlines as Headstock and has managed to beat that horse home in each of the latest two starts at this track and Kembla Grange. Facing a tough task here but could sneak into the placings at best.

11. OWL WITNESS (Robert & Luke Price): Won a couple on end at Canberra and the Sapphire Coast before being spelled but resumed with a last at Nowra last month when settled back and failed to make any ground. Needs to improve many lengths.

12. FROSBIE (Tracey Bartley): Resumed from a spell with a third at Tuncurry against much easier grade and form before the break wasn’t the best. Better suited in something easier at this stage of his career.

Short Shorts (Pic: Bradley Photos).

13. PIER PRESSURE (Kris Lees): Was placed in the Inglis Sires’ at Group 1 level as a two-year-old. Took a while to break through with a win but finally scored a maiden victory at start seven when successful at this track last October. Was spelled after not being disgraced in Group 2 grade at Randwick and resumes here after having two trials. Expect her to sprint well fresh.

14. KILLER KERR (Peter Green): Struck form winning two at Nowra either side of a Wyong second placing. Since stepped up in grade and was down the track at Rosehill behind Cadetship. Won’t find this any easier.

15. DARK GLITTER (Mike Van Gestel): Won two of her first three starts when scoring at Nowra and Canberra. Stepped up to this grade at Newcastle last weekend when finishing seventh to Tavi Time and was safely held there. Looks tested against these.

16. INFERENCIA (Rebecca Dunn): Best recent run was a second at Tuncurry three starts ago but hasn’t done anything in each of the two runs since then. Needs it easier than this in order to be a factor.

SPEED MAP: Expect True Crime and Short Shorts to push forward from wide draws to take up the running. Luai is up in grade but from an outside alley nay also go forward, while Headstock can slot into a prominent position. Dream Hour and Pier Pressure are both resuming but have drawn well enough to not have to get too far back.

SELECTIONS:
1 DREAM HOUR
13 Pier Pressure
3 Willinga Freefall
7 Short Shorts

All the fields, form and replays for Saturday's Hawkesbury meeting