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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 good track.

4. Chicama debuted in the Golden Gift back in November and was spelled. Won two trials over the shorter trip in March, imagine he pushes forward from the wide gate and gives a good sight.

Dangers: 10. Sylph is another to have had two shorter trials leading into her first outing. In top juvenile stable and should be respected. 1. Telling went around as a $1.24 favourite when scoring first-up at Muswellbrook. Likely to fitter for that and the 3kg claim helps his cause. Can lift from that. 3. Buckeye was beaten at Scone first-up but on a heavy track and he only went down fighting. Keep safe.

How to play it: Chicama WIN ($4.20 TAB Fixed Odds).

8. Couples Retreat showed some promise last time in with a maiden win here in September and was narrowly beaten by Enriched on debut. Easy trial winner leading into this first-up assignment and expect she’ll be one of the major players.

Dangers: 1. Useapin has come back in good order and just failed to run Seascape down at Kensington two weeks ago. Won here in October at this trip and is sure to be competitive with the 3kg claim. 3. Insist was well supported and got the job done over 900m at Newcastle first-up. Can only be fitter for it, draws okay and is one of the chances. 7. Now Is The Hour tried hard when a beaten favourite at Wyong second-up over this distance. Has the inside barrier here and chance to put in a peak performance.

How to play it: Couples Retreat WIN ($2.70 TAB Fixed Odds).

Couples Retreat wins a Warwick Farm trial on March 21

7. Full Hao made her debut in what’s proven so far to be a strong maiden at Kensington a few weeks ago with the runner-up winning out of the race. Ran well there and steps up in trip with a tickover trial in between. Should be hard to beat.

Dangers: 2. Dark Arts had his chance on speed when run down as favourite at Kembla Grange. Was stepping up 300m in trip so could be fitter for it and well worth another chance. 1. Viktor has been thereabouts without winning so far and boxed on okay for third at Kensington two weeks ago when back 100m in distance. Has placed at the mile so open to improvement. 5. Existential Bob was a drifter in betting when resuming over this sort of trip at Wyong last month. Expect he will be fitter and is worth including in the chances.

How to play it: Full Hao WIN ($3.40 TAB Fixed Odds).

Full Hao runs fourth at Kensington on March 13

5. Flying Bandit will need some breaks getting through or around the field from his inside gate but he showed first-up at Kembla he’s come back in great touch with a close third at 1400m. Has won here and at the trip and is a good chance.

Dangers: 14. Monfelicity ran an even race when resuming at 1300m at Rosehill and she’s going to relish getting up in distance. Generally improves second-up so she’s an each-way chance. 13. It’s A Wonder has been around the mark since winning here first-up and was beaten in a blanket finish in the Midway at Rosehill on Slipper Day. Capable of showing up. 2. Roma Avenue may get some on pace favours with the scratchings and hasn't been far away in three runs back. Has a case.

How to play it: Flying Bandit WIN ($3.40 TAB Fixed Odds).

Flying Bandit runs third at Kembla Grange on March 22

6. Bear On The Loose resumes at a suitable trip and should get some level of control up on the speed. Was run down at Randwick over the mile fresh last time in but should be hard to reel in here, and any sting out would help his cause.

Dangers: 8. State Of America charged home into a close third when second-up at Kensington two weeks ago and the only negative seems to be coming back 200m into this. Usually when he finds form he holds it so expect him to run well again. 4. Saganti is an interesting runner first-up since his local debut in the Rosehill Cup back in November behind Fawkner Park. Ran a nice race there and fitter for a couple of trials. Has been gelded and could be dangerous fresh. 3. Glory Daze is capable on his day and perhaps didn’t come up last time in. Trials inconclusive as well so any support would suggest he’s in order and could surprise.

How to play it: Bear On The Loose WIN ($2.90 TAB Fixed Odds).

Bear On The Loose runs third in a Hawkesbury trial on March 25

1. Written In Code was strong at the finish winning over 1100m first-up at Kensington and that’s a good sign as she’s much better suited up in distance. Comes in nicely with the claim and has the inside gate this time around. Should take beating again.

Dangers: 5. Sydney Bowler is fitter for two runs back from a spell and has the chance to show something like his best. Trialled since his last run at Wyong and has a nice set up to run well. 6. Midnight Dynamite shrugged off a first-up failure at Flemington to run a handy second at Kensington two weeks ago where he was a drifter in betting but hit the line well. One of the chances. 4. No Drama has come through the Country Championships series and gets the chance to lead here so he could give a sight on his best.

How to play it: Written In Code WIN ($2.80 TAB Fixed Odds).

Written In Code wins at Kensington on March 13

1. Lonhro’s Queen on top but she will need a bit of luck. Impressive winning fresh on a heavy track at Scone over 1000m and she’s not badly in carrying 0.5kg more after the claim. Has a strong finish on her and if in touch she’ll be hard to hold off.

Dangers: 5. Acappella Sun is an honest mare who doesn’t win out of turn but did notch one at Canberra three back, last time out not disgraced behind Asgarda on a heavy track at Albury. She’ll be around the mark again. 3. Starmae resumes since winning at Wyong in August and she’s trialled up quite well on two occasions last month. Has drawn out but tends to race forward and has to be included in the chances. 14. Mad Darcey is always capable of running a cheeky race and could surprise here fresh from a soft barrier if they gets along up front.

How to play it: Lonhro’s Queen WIN ($3.20 TAB Fixed Odds).

Lonhro’s Queen wins at Scone on March 21

2. Mickey’s Medal is close to a win after placings at both runs since a freshen up. Well supported when just failing to pick them up at Kensington last time, down a notch in class and close to a peak given he’s never won first or second-up. Good chance.

Dangers: 11. Enter The Dragon hasn’t done a lot wrong in five starts for three wins and led all the way over the 1400m at Kembla a few weeks ago. Has trialled since and sure to be in the finish somewhere. 5. Rush Attack is a consistent type who wasn’t beaten far when midfield in a Midway at Rosehill. Narrowly beaten by Pocketing before that and from the good gate with the claim he’ll be around the mark. 13. Highborn Harry isn’t a noted first-up performer so for him to get so close fresh in that Midway at Rosehill is a good sign. May want slightly further but he’s a likely improver so he’s an each-way hope.

How to play it: Mickey’s Medal EACH-WAY ($16 TAB Fixed Odds).

Mickey’s Medal runs second at Kensington on March 26

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