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Hawkesbury hosted its annual Saturday stand-alone metropolitan meeting, which provided three feature Group 3 races and multiple thrilling finishes.

The Group 3 Hawkesbury Guineas (1400m) was the first showcase race run, and it was run at a solid tempo after adjustments. Punter’s Intelligence recorded that the first 800m was run in 48.64, approximately 13 lengths faster than the 2YO Clarendon Stakes (1400m).

Mr Mozart’s win was full of merit, and he once again did it on both ends, running fast overall time relative to the day.

The three-year-old colt was ridden up early to lead and travelled in the inferior ground, which was lane one throughout transit.

Further, when challenged, he refused to lose and was brave to the line running the race’s third-fastest last 200m sectional in 12.19.

The Hawkes trained galloper has been a revelation since striking rain-affected tracks and will now be spelled in preparation for the $8M Golden Eagle in the Spring.

Dalchini exceeded market expectations running second with a big gap to third, and although being well ridden by Jay Ford, she ran the race’s clear best final 600m split in 35.37.

Party For One backed up her last start effort and sprinted the race’s fastest 400m-200m split in 11.47. She is rock-hard fit and look for her when she drops in grade.

The Group 3 Hawkesbury Crown (1300m) was run at a farcical tempo, with the first 700m being run in 43.52, and Exotic Ruby had all favours winning.

Never Talk was arguably the run of the race, running fourth after having the pace and bias against her. The four-year-old mare rattled home and ran the quickest final 600m/400m/200m sectionals of the race in 35.14/23.10/11.96.

Nudge wasn’t suited first-up and hit the line hard, running the race’s second-fastest final 600m split in 35.57. She will undoubtedly improve in fitness and is suited over further distance.

Wandabaa copped a severe bump at a critical stage, and the well-fancied Brookspire was disappointing after racing keenly in a very slow pace.

The final Group 3 event was the Hawkesbury Gold Cup (1600m) which was run at a solid tempo set by Archedemus, with the first 1000m being run in 1:01:05.

Tom Sherry gave winner Kirwan’s Lane a gun ride giving him every chance, and he was too strong for them. Further, this once again confirmed his outstanding second-up record.

French import Hopeful ran well for his Australian debut and ran the second-fastest final 200m split of the race in 12.63. He is another who will improve with fitness and benefit once getting out to a staying trip.

Atishu bounced back into form and had to make her run through the inferior ground and still posted the quickest final 200m sectional of the race in 12.58.

Although he finished eighth, Berdibek looked to be chiming into the race well before being severely checked/blocked and had no luck over the concluding stages.

A quick mention of Basquiat who was brave in defeat with a margin to third in the 2YO Clarendon Stakes (1400m).

The two-year-old colt was 38 days between runs, and although he had a trial in-between, his fitness gave out of the final 100m when in a duel with Burgunder.

He is a nice type and a horse to follow throughout this preparation.

Sacrimony was an impressive winner of the Living Turf Benchmark 78 Handicap (1100m).

After settling midfield, he overcame the slow pace and savaged the line to run one of the fastest last 400m sectionals of the entire meeting in 23.10.

He has come back improved and is on an upwards ratings spiral.

Fastest L600m: Surreal Step 34.02.

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