Latest News

By Ray Hickson

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

Looks a race in two. Lean to 5. Wild Impact who has been beaten as favourite in her two runs back but in races with more depth and she hasn’t been disgraced. Strong late at this track last start and the trip suits. Take beating.

Dangers: 1. Loveisili made a promising local debut running second at Newcastle a month ago and possibly should have gone close. No doubt the extra ground will be a plus and he’s the logical danger. 2. Northern Voyage can mix form as he’s shown lately but this is a lot easier than last time at Warwick Farm. Toughed it out to win over a mile at Kembla before that, could lead them and give a sight. 4. Watch The Cat was only fair last start but go back three runs and he ran on into second behind On The White Turf at this track. On that sort of run he could be in the finish.

How to play it: Wild Impact WIN ($2.40 TAB Fixed Odds).

Wild Impact runs second at Hawkesbury on May 9

7. Killer Instinct found herself too far back but she hit the line hard late into third over a mile at Newcastle second-up. Clocked the fastest last 600m of that race, running 35 seconds (Punter's Intelligence). Should relish the extra 200m, drawn well and a very good chance to break through. Read jockey Tommy Berry's comments here.

Dangers: 6. Elleofadeel was going to be ridden back but sat on the speed and boxed on for second in the same race as Killer Instinct, finishing just ahead of her. Blinkers go on so have to give some respect. 5. Royal Anthem ran fourth in the same race and wasn’t quite able to match Killer Instinct’s finish though she was held up slightly early in the straight. Had a few chances but sure to be thereabouts again. 2. Aurman Zou tried to lead all the way and made a good fist of it in running a close third over this course a couple of weeks ago. Probably at his best with some give in the track but has claims again.

How to play it: Killer Instinct WIN ($2.00 TAB Fixed Odds).

Killer Instinct runs third at Newcastle on May 7

Couldn’t find anything to beat 1. Castel Sant’angelo though he’s short enough. Showed promise in his first two starts and while his latest trial was okay to the eye it was against open company. Entitled to go close here.

Dangers: 5. Stella Maris failed in a stronger maiden second-up but her runs either side at this sort of level have had some merit. Every chance last time but stayed on and should be in the finish somewhere. 3. Duclair was a well supported favourite on debut and while only beaten three lengths he was never a chance at any stage. Drawn soft and fitter so expect some improvement from him. 7. Ivira is a 10 start maiden but she has been around the placings in most of them. Safely held last time though and would be a place hope on her effort here two starts back.

How to play it: Castel Sant’angelo WIN ($1.85 TAB Fixed Odds).

Castel Sant’angelo’s trial at Randwick on May 6

2. Convinced takes on older horses again but he had excuses when third behind a handy type on debut at Newcastle. He should have run a clear second there and there’s a lot less depth in this one. Has the outside gate so needs some luck but looks the horse to beat.

Dangers: 3. Secretively was a drifter in betting and weakened after sitting outside the leader at his first start at Canterbury. Again this race lacks the depth and he has the inside alley this time. Entitled to consideration. 4. Amplified will be fitter for a first-up run at Kembla over 1000m where she just held her ground. Might be looking for a longer trip so don’t be surprised if she lifts a bit. 1. Ausfighter has the blinkers on for the first time after a fair effort when resuming at Kembla though the winner did score by a margin. Best effort to date was a close third here in December and has the chance to improve.

How to play it: Convinced WIN ($2.40 TAB Fixed Odds).

Convinced runs third at Newcastle on May 7

8. Breaking Cover was a bit soft in betting on debut at this track but caught the eye charging into a close second. Fitter for that and shapes as though the extra ground will be a plus. If she can run up to that promising effort she’s the one to beat.

Dangers: 4. Royal Monarch is back for his second preparation after a couple of solid efforts in country maidens. Latest trial was a sharp one and in a wide open race if he’s come on this time in he’s a major player. 12. Parlour started big odds at her debut and beat one home at Canterbury but that was a very strong maiden and she was dragged back from a wide gate. Trial leading into that race was sound enough so she could surprise. 1. Banjo’s Voice didn’t do a whole lot first-up here when in the market in the same race as the favourite but he can do better. Needs some luck, though, and has had 10 starts without success. Each-way.

How to play it: Breaking Cover WIN ($2.25 TAB Fixed Odds).

Breaking Cover runs second at Hawkesbury on May 9

2. Only Wanna Sing didn’t win last prep but didn’t run a bad race either and his only placing in that prep came here behind a city class horse. Two trials have been acceptable, blinkers on and drawn well. Sure to be in the finish somewhere.

Dangers: 7. Taken Everything won like a handy one on debut but first-up at this track she had no excuses at all for a plodding fifth as an odds-on favourite. Better than that and if she does fire up she’ll go close. 9. Island Grange had some specking at odds last time at Wyong and boxed on into third place. Can mix her form but from barrier one she has every chance to be competitive. 3. Prophet’s Voice was runner-up here two starts ago and was spelled after finding Military Zone and company a bit tough. Latest trial was okay in better company and he’s worth keeping in mind.

How to play it: Only Wanna Sing E/W ($4.40 TAB Fixed Odds).

Only Wanna Sing’s latest trial at Newcastle on May 9

1. Romantic Whisper has the form on the board to be the one to beat here. Game in defeat after leading at Newcastle last time and the third horse has since won impressively and also beat a subsequent winner two back. Will be on the pace and hard to run down.

Dangers: 2. Steamboat Sally showed improvement second-up when run down by Loved One, who has won again since, at Newcastle. Seems ready for the step up in distance and is another who will give a good sight on the speed. 4. Terroir had a little support at odds and managed to finish over the top to post a debut win at Newcastle. Shapes as though the 1400m will suit and she’s the one with all the upside. Definite chance. 3. Moana Jewel had plenty of support first-up at Newcastle, in the same race as Steamboat Sally, and disappointed. Has to be worth another chance.

How to play it: Romantic Whisper WIN ($2.80 TAB Fixed Odds).

Romantic Whisper runs second at Newcastle on May 7

2. Go Fish Go has the tricky gate but he looked good getting away late to win at Wyong second-up into this distance range. Might press forward and if he offsets the gate easily he’s in this.

Dangers: 11. Art Of More is racing well but was no match for the winner running into second again at Kembla a couple of weeks ago. Has to be included again with a couple of significant scratchings. 5. McMahon is a big watch first-up. Took on open company in his only trial this time in and has struck a very winnable race. Keep an eye on betting and follow accordingly. 3. Euroblaze appreciated getting onto a good track when winning over 1300m at this track a couple of weeks ago. Not much harder here and with only two starts under the belt has upside. Each-way.

How to play it: Go Fish Go WIN ($3.20 TAB Fixed Odds).

Go Fish Go wins at Wyong on May 2

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