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By Neil Evans

Track Good 4 and rail out 3m from 1100m to 450m & true the remainder.

We start with the older maidens at set weights on a firming track, and confident progressive mare 9. I Am Wild can put this lot to the sword fourth-up. Ran home hard from well back here two starts ago before again finishing on from an awkward gate behind a hot favourite. Off that run over a bit more ground from a more economical draw, makes her the one to beat.

Dangers: 2. Highland Eightgee is trained on the track and afforded a string of gear changes from a soft draw, and can run the quinella. Gap to the rest.

How to play it: I Am Wild to win

The older maidens again lock horns over a sprint trip, and it shapes as the breakthrough race for 10. Sir Tom who can finally snap a long run of placings fifth-up. Has continued to improve, placed in two of his last three at Muswellbrook, the latest flashing home late from last. This isn't much tougher, and he gets a strong rider on board from a softer gate where he can settle a bit closer to the action in the run. Has placed 15 times from 23 career starts.

Dangers: Watch the betting on 2. Ready To Rocket who makes her debut for the powerhouse Ciaron Maher stable behind a quiet trial, and was scratched early from the next race to be saved for this. 5. Bethsheba is hard fit and has been in and around the money all prep; while both 3. Veravino and 4. Indiamo, both resuming off two trials, can add value into all trifecta and first four plays.

How to play it: Sir Tom to win

In what is already a weakened race, this presents ideally for promising three-year-old 8. Shalaa Gold second-up in just his second prep, and first time at the provincials. Twice beaten only by the winner in Warwick Farm runs back in May before spelling, then returned and led for a long way at the same course before run down by a smart one. Natural fitness improvement, and back 100m in trip makes him the clear one to beat.

Dangers: The market will tell a story with 11. Blanc De Noir, a filly by Capitalist on debut for the Michael Freedman yard behind two strong city trials. Hard to see the winner coming from anywhere else, but 2. Blue Illusion can run a race second-up despite drawing wide; while including 7. Pierolite, resuming off a long break and trial win from the inside draw in trifecta and first fours.

How to play it: Shalaa Gold to win

Moderate maiden, quality and depth-wise, augurs well for metro three-year-old 2. Irish Jig, by Star Turn, who can lead them a merry dance on debut. Progressed through two recent trials at Warwick Farm, the latest finding the line nicely down the middle after a wide journey. Drawn to get good cover here, and be saved up for one final surge from the 300m, and was preferred here to the Canterbury meeting on Wednesday

Dangers: Lightly raced 3. Blue Tongue resumes for only his third start. Was fair through the line in two runs at Newcastle back in July before spelling, and two lead-up trials have been encouraging. Progressive 11. Duck Egg has hit the line well in two runs back, and gets blinkers added, but looms under the odds from a tricky and wide draw. At longer odds, keep safe 7. Sweet Heaven resuming off two trials; while 12. Lulo Link second-up heads the rest.

How to play it: Irish Jig to win

Like promising Randwick mare 6. American Starlet to make it two straight this prep, and take her winning strike rate to 50 percent from six starts. Showed penty in some very handy maidens back earlier in the year before spelling, then impressive on resumption when tracking the speed and going home best at Wyong. Ready for this tougher assignment over a furlong further, and carrying 1kg less.

Dangers: Talented 3. Fiddlers Green resumes with the blinkers for a strong metro stable off two improving trials, although shapes under the odds from an awkward gate. Keep safe 4. Irish Bliss who reloads 19 days after a dominant all-the-way win in a provincial Class 1; while 8. Nettles is clear best of the rest fourth-up from a low draw.

How to play it: American Starlet to win

This is the domain of promising colt 6. Shangri La Spring from the Waterhosue-Bott stable at Randwick, 16 days after he dominated from barrier to box first-up at Kembla. Was rock solid in the market that day in his first outing since narrowly beaten on debut in the country late May. Extra trip is a natural bonus being by 2019 Cox Plate runner-up Castelvecchio, and again he draws to roll forward and be dominant from on speed.

Dangers: Plenty of respect for 8. Obscure who won her maiden in heavy ground at Kembla three starts back, and should have saluted again at Wyong when charging home late after a checkered run. Suited by the extra ground, and drawn to get to the outside. 3. Superhero takes the next step after landing his maiden here as a hot favorite, but needs to tuck in from a wide draw. Both 4. The Deal five weeks between runs via a quiet trial; and 10. Lady Savannah who comes off a maiden win and drew the fence; are worthy exotic players.

How to play it: Shangri La Spring to win

Tricky affair, but 2. Wembanyama has a touch of quality in this company, with winkers replacing blinkers. Has trialled quietly since disappointing in BM 72 metro company five weeks ago, and gets in well at the weights after the jockey's 3kg claim.

Dangers: Expecting sharp second-up improvement from 1. Mannerheim dropping back from a tougher city level; while 4. Marsabit can run into the money second-up off a four week freshen. 5. Montgomery second-up is the clear best of the rest.

How to play it: Wembanyama to win

Similar grade of galloper over a shorter trip to finish, and it stacks up well for emerging Newcastle colt 4. Private Harry who can go on his winning way after thrashing a Super Maiden field on debut 19 days ago. That win came off two dominant trials, and all being equal he clearly has the ability to go on and win much better races than this. Was also scratched from Wednesday's Canterbury card to run here.

Dangers: Talented home tracker 3. Apic Run is well placed to run the quinella first-up off a forward trial here, and drawn to get a sound run on speed. Keep safe too at good odds 10. Glassout also trained on the course, and first-up from the inside draw behind two soft trials. Gap to the rest headed by 5. Dark Glitter third-up.

How to play it: Private Harry to win

BEST BETS:
R1 9. I AM WILD
R6 6. SHANGRI LA SPRING

BEST VALUE:
R5 6. AMERICAN STARLET

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