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By Ray Hickson

Tips and race by race preview by Ray Hickson for Wednesday’s Hawkesbury meeting. Selections based on a soft to heavy track.

2. Bremel was solidly supported at her debut at Warwick Farm and stuck to the task well despite not getting all the favours to run fourth. Brilliant trial winner leading in from the front so drawing out should allow her to cruise across onto the speed and she should be a major player.

Dangers: 9. Sassy Abbey has shown plenty of speed in her recent trials, leading and just finding one better late. Takes on older horses here but stable is flying and she can give a big sight on debut. 8. Tsavo is an interesting runner. He debuted at Moonee Valley back in late December and started $7 but was never in the race. Trialling quite well and if he handles a wet track he can feature. 3. Cosmic Treasure showed improvement into her latest trial when running second at Rosehill just over a week ago. Might be on the way up and is worth including.

How to play it: Bremel WIN ($2.15 TAB Fixed Odds).

Bremel runs fourth at Warwick Farm on January 27

7. Lira has been competitive in both recent trials without being asked the big question to finish off. She’s quite well bred out of a dual stakes winning mare and in the small field will get her chance to make an impact. Any support would be encouraging.

Dangers: 2. Matera has trialled twice in this preparation and makes it to the races now with blinkers on. He hasn’t trialled in them so he could be a big improver on what he showed at Randwick a couple of weeks ago. Keep safe. 8. Twinkling Star also carries blinkers first time though she’s raced twice and failed in both on city tracks. Right in the market at Warwick Farm first-up and didn’t hit the line. Shade easier so entitled to improve. 10. Boomtown Chat has been unplaced in all four starts but showed he’s heading the right way winning a trial at Kembla. Small field so can’t dismiss.

How to play it: Lira WIN ($3.50 TAB Fixed Odds).

Lira runs third in a Rosehill trial on February 3

6. Veravino has been right around the mark in three runs since a long spell and she was five weeks between runs when she loomed and was just outgunned at Wyong on Australia Day. Seems to handle all ground and has a good chance to break through.

Dangers: 4. Our Little Star hasn’t raced for a month since she disappointed when right in the market at Kensington, that was on the back of a placing at Warwick Farm on a soft track. She’s now 11 starts without a win but if she runs up to her effort two back she’ll go close. 1. Able Yellow is a curious runner by Justify out of two-time Group 1 winner Srikandi. He’s taken some time but his two trials for Blake Ryan have been pleasing enough and he’s the real wild card here. 5. Bold And Blazen hasn’t raced for almost two years and mixed it with some smart ones as a two-year-old. Could show up in something easier than he’s used to.

How to play it: Veravino WIN ($3.00 TAB Fixed Odds).

Veravino runs second at Wyong on January 26

13. Sensational Wind has promised a bit and will find this easier than her two starts to date. Ran on without threatening first-up at Kensington three weeks ago when a drifter in betting. Fitter and this is a nice race for her.

Dangers: 18. Queen Strada could be something of a wild card fresh on the back of a trial win at Randwick recently. Very lightly raced for a five-year-old and from the inside it wouldn’t shock to see her lead and give some cheek. 3. Cavalry poked through late to run fourth in a Rosehill trial last week and he’s another who should like kicking off at this sort of trip. 12. Island Dream made a handy enough debut at Newcastle over 1300m and she had a bit of support there too. Could be an improver.

How to play it: Sensational Wind WIN ($3.60 TAB Fixed Odds).

Sensational Wind runs fifth at Kensington on January 22

2. Fortingall was safely held first-up at Newcastle but it was a forgive run, he was trapped wide and unable to take up his usual forward position. Blinkers go on and drawn a bit better he should be a lot more prominent here and can bounce back to form.

Dangers: 1. Nomorenightshift has won four of his five starts with his only failure in a Highway back in December. Held them off well enough at Orange a month ago. This will top him off for a Country Championships bid later this month and he should run well. 5. Zarizatycoon will likely also be headed to Orange for that race and he was fourth behind Nomorenightshift before an easy win at Parkes a couple of weeks ago. Another with a handy record and will be expected to be around the mark. 4. Pluckten’s chances will soar if it’s a heavy track as his last win was here in July in those conditions. Forgive last run when outclassed on a firmer track and he’s capable of improvement.

How to play it: Fortingall WIN ($5.50 TAB Fixed Odds).

Fortingall wins at Goulburn in August

2. Just In Time is well placed second-up after an eye-catching and close up fifth at Kensington when resuming from a long spell. Was solid in the market in that race and drops sharply in class. Just has to tick the wet track box and if she does she’ll take beating.

Dangers: 3. Canny Queen improved quickly on her first-up effort to score a strong finishing win at Newcastle last month. Won two of five, with no placings, so she could be a bit hit and miss but a repeat of last effort has her in the conversation. 4. Oh Golly Gosh comes through the same races and she’s been close up in both. Punched through late to run second behind Canny Queen. Handles all ground and trained here, has to be respected. 5. Leandra has a great record on her home track though she’s been a bit below par of late. Was back in trip last time so could fare a bit better.

How to play it: Just In Time WIN ($2.00 TAB Fixed Odds).

Just In Time runs fifth at Kensington on January 22

3. Money Team ran right up to some good support at his first start for the new yard to score a solid win at Wyong last month. Has to do it again up in class but it’s a provincial only race so he’s well placed, has handled all ground in the past and has to be hard to beat.

Dangers: 4. The Pacific was a nice winner at Kembla in December then was a month between runs and started huge odds but charged late to run a close third at Wyong. He’s on the way up and has to be considered. 1. Power Of The Brave led when placed first-up at Kembla before just a fair run at Newcastle. The blinkers go back on and he’s down a notch in class so worth another chance. 2. Annie’s Rose is an interesting addition to the Kristen Buchanan yard, ex-SA mare, and didn’t give a lot away in her recent trial. Watch betting.

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

Money Team wins at Wyong on January 26

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