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By Ray Hickson

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

1. Bazooka has the city form on the board to say this is his race, though he has only won once in 21 starts so far. Chased home Yiyi two runs back and ran super sectionals placing in a Midway last time. With even luck he gets his chance. Read trainer David Payne's comments here.

Dangers: 4. Chateaux Park is another horse hovering around a win and he’s also been hitting the line strongly of late. First try at this sort of trip was a fast finishing second at Newcastle last time and he will be running on again. 3. Fine Ruby broke through at her second run back with quite an impressive last to first win over 1600m here last week. Up a notch in class but lightly raced and could still have upside. 2. Mantinello had control and took advantage leading all the way for a maiden win at Scone last week, at provincial level. Likely one of the leaders here and can give a sight.

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

Bazooka runs third at Randwick on August 7

5. Tycoon Hallie showed promise last time in and was tried at Group level before a spell. Both her recent trials have been excellent, she’s drawn well and clearly has the ability to be winning a maiden at least. Good chance.

Dangers: 3. What A Prince has only trialled once this time in, having trialled back in December, and it was quite a handy effort in third at Wyong not tested at all. Trained here, draws well and could surprise. 6. Pacheco had good support on debut at Scone earlier this month and was just outgunned late in a close finish. Tricky draw this time but likely improver too so keep in mind. 2. Different Strokes started $20 at his only start and ran on without threatening into third at Newcastle over 1200m. Has James McDonald on board and is an each-way chance at least.

How to play it: Tycoon Hallie WIN ($2.30 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Tycoon Hallie runs third in a Wyong trial on August 2

5. Akahata has a stakes placing behind Converge to his name and while it was a small field in his trial he shaped up well against more experience horses. Distance should suit fresh and he should be hard to beat.

Dangers: 16. Betcha Baby wasn’t far away in four starts in Brisbane in the spring and summer and is back in the Sydney stable now. Can’t get a lot from her two trials but worth watching the market. 11. Satirical Glory has always trialled well but didn’t fire on debut back in February. He trialled nicely again a few weeks ago and while drawn wide here is another to keep an eye on. 12. Statesmanship found the line okay in his latest trial two weeks ago. In good hands and one to keep an eye on.

How to play it: Akahata WIN ($2.90 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Akahata runs second in a Warwick Farm trial on August 9

10. Vesuvio gave a big sight in front at Kensington two weeks ago and fought on well behind Flying Crazy who swooped late. Will be up on the speed again here and has each-way claims.

Dangers: 5. Bahama was in the market in the Kindergarten on debut on the back of an eye-catching trial win and he did have excuses. Again trialled nicely so it wouldn’t surprise if he fires this time. 1. Rockierro showed improvement from his first trial back in March with a narrow defeat at Wyong earlier this month. Imagine he will go forward and is one to keep a close eye on. 3. Hamaki made his debut in the same race as Vesuvio and boxed on fairly to finish midfield. Open to improvement

How to play it: Vesuvio E/W ($4.00 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Vesuvio runs fourth at Kensington on August 4

11. With Your Blessing wasn’t far off some of the better youngsters in three starts, he was huge off a wide gate in the Pago Pago and close up in the Baillieu. Fitter for two trials and while drawn wide again here he has a touch of class.

Dangers: 9. Otelo didn’t have a lot of luck when resuming at Kensington recently and should definitely have finished closer. Fitter for that and has run a couple of a nice races to suggest he could win a maiden. Has a show. 7. Latin Lyric gets back and runs on, just failed at Kensington last time and is more than capable of running into the finish again. 8. Artie’s Dreamtime hasn’t stood out in his trials but is a curious runner from the strong Snowden yard and with James McDonald on board. Drawn well and any support would be significant.

How to play it: With Your Blessing WIN ($3.00 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: ODDS.

With Your Blessing’s latest trial at Randwick on August 6

6. Conrad started favourite in the G3 Baillieu before a spell and had some excuses there. His form prior was excellent and is a recent trial winner. Hard to beat.

Dangers: 4. Flying Crazy was responsible for an amazing late burst to win narrowly at his first start at Kensington a couple of weeks ago. Stays at 1100m and it’ll be interesting to see what he does with a better gate. 5. Jadida is an up and comer who won narrowly but quite well first-up at Kensington a few weeks ago. Must be considered. 10. Fox Fighter also comes off a maiden win, he's been consistent this time around and could easily be in the placings again.

How to play it: Conrad WIN ($1.75 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: EVENS.

Conrad wins a trial at Wyong on August 2

8. Berdibek is back in trip and freshened since his Grafton Cup run where he should have gone close. Nice trial and while a mile is about as short as he likes it he has strong each-way claims in a wide open race.

Dangers: 7. Countofmontecristo wasn’t disgraced in the Winter Challenge at his third Australian start and strikes a genuine good track for the first time. Don’t mind him from a wide alley as he should be able to wind up. Go well. 3. Kukeracha is the last start Queensland Derby winner resuming and creates plenty of interest. Two trials including a solid enough win at Rosehill last week, if he’s firm in betting he could be the one on class. 10. Surf Dancer was excellent at his local debut then probably a bit flat second-up when fourth at Randwick both in BM88 races. Shapes as though a mile will be suitable and drawn to be prominent so he’s entitled to another chance.

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

Berdibek’s trial at Randwick on August 6

8. War Memorial is fitter for two runs back and while a couple got past him second-up near the finish he should be at his peak and has drawn perfectly. Good chance to be right in the finish.

Dangers: 2. Empowerment has won three of her last four including her past two at Scone from on the speed and has earned a shot here. She’ll be prominent again from a handy drawn and could easily keep up the good work. 1. Cobia was very strong late in winning second-up at Kembla when well supported. Shows promise and on his home track he’s a major hope. 4. Kennedy Choice is up in class from a maiden win at Kembla last time but he's been racing consistently and is a go forward horse who can give them something to catch.

How to play it: War Memorial E/W ($4.60 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: EVENS.

War Memorial runs fourth at Kembla Grange on August 1

All the fields, form and replays for Thursday’s Hawkesbury meeting