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By Ray Hickson

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

2. Trafalgar Square does look a progressive filly and she put it all together when racing away with a maiden at Canterbury third-up. She did have gate one and a nice run but was dominant. The track condition will be vital for her, she didn’t seem to love the heavy 9 in the Kindergarten but that’s a different league. First use of the track a plus, if she can find that nice spot with cover she should be strong late.

Dangers: 5. Monte Veebee was sent out a $21 chance on debut and really attacked the line as he charged into second behind Imperial Force at Canterbury. Should lap up the 1400m, obviously unknown if there’s a wet track, and is one to keep a close eye on. 1. Commanding Artist looks a talent in the making and he’s back having broken through at his second start at Eagle Farm in January. Worked to the line nicely in his trial here recently and Nash goes on. Big threat. 9. Canara found the line well when resuming at Warwick Farm then didn’t have the best of runs behind Trafalgar Square last time. Different set up with a soft gate and he could be the big improver.

How to play it: Trafalgar Square WIN ($3.90 TAB Fixed Odds).

Trafalgar Square wins at Canterbury on April 17

5. Go Troppo might be close to another win if his second-up performance in the Midway at Randwick two weeks ago is any pointer. Found himself right out the back but he found the line full of purpose in a race where it was tough to make ground. He’s getting up to his preferred distance range now and if he can get through the field without any trouble he’s a good each-way chance.

Dangers: 6. Putt For Dough won that race and the way he finished it off you’d think that 1500m holds no fears. Trained here and racing in super form so hard to ignore. 9. Always Sure is another who backs up from that Midway and he’s another that is just about ready to fire, not that his two runs from a long break have been average at all. He’s been eye catching in both and with even luck he’s a good chance. 2. Victory Lane had a tough run in the Provincial-Midway Championships Final and that can be wiped from the record. He looked the winner in a Qualifier before that and he’s a Midway winner on a wet track last prep. Handled all conditions and well worth another chance.

How to play it: Go Troppo EACH-WAY ($6.50 TAB Fixed Odds).

Go Troppo runs fifth at Randwick on April 20

9. Gentileschi is the up and comer of the field and she’s left a pretty good impression so far in her career, particularly this time in as she’s gone up a notch with two very easy wins and on varying track conditions. A Highway is a step up for her but she’s earned the shot at it, finds James McDonald and that will make her even more popular. The one to beat.

Dangers: 16. Himorher is also coming up to Highway grade now after a couple of country wins, and again on differing surfaces, having got the job done at Muswellbrook six weeks ago. That’s the main query, the gap between runs, but she’s a chance at odds. 2. Bandasha has the Dunn-Rawiller combination on his side and he commands a bit of respect on that alone. Tried hard when narrowly beaten at Doomben three weeks back. Yet to see any sort of wet track so that’s the only query. 6. Tokyo Run has had a dip at a couple of stakes races against his own age. Appreciated the class drop when scoring at Wellington, kept fresh for the drop in distance and while drawn wide he should be running on down the outside.

How to play it: Gentileschi WIN ($1.80 TAB Fixed Odds).

Gentileschi wins at Scone on April 16

3. Kureder hasn’t been fancied in two runs back over shorter trips but he signalled with his second-up effort at Canterbury that he’s in good order. Dashed home from last to run a close second there at 1550m, his four career wins have come over further so this trip is ideal. Looks a good chance for him.

Dangers: 2. Noisy Boy had a crack at the ATC Derby after a game second in the Tulloch and perhaps it was the 2400m on a heavy that slowed him down. If we’re dealing with a reasonable surface he'd only have to repeat his efforts in the Tulloch and the Phar Lap before that to be a major player. 12. Agita is heading the right way now after an excellent effort into second behind Redbreast over 1400m on the Kensington. Much better suited up this distance and he’s an each-way hope. 1. Toesonthenose comes through the same race as Kureder and he was also second-up in that race. Best form from last preparation would be good enough to have him in the mix and the 3kg claim is handy.

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

Kureder runs second at Canterbury on April 17

4. Parisal appears well suited to run a big race first-up at a trip she’s been unstoppable so far in her career. Nice improvement into her second trial on a soft track, draws to get a perfect run and she opened last prep with a win. Can’t do anything but run well.

Dangers: 13. Xtravagant Star gets a nice weight drop on her popular win at Doomben a few weeks ago in what is a harder race but she brings race fitness on her side and handles a bit of give in the ground. Started in the market in the Birthday Card two runs back and must be considered. 14. Noble Soldier was an upset winner when resuming last time in at Randwick and is very competitive in BM88 grade. Easy work to win a Kembla trial leading in and he’s one of those horses that you have to include at odds as he fires fresh and handles all ground. 1. Spacewalk is a consistent sprinter resuming with a trial win under his belt. Ticks plenty of boxes with his wet track credentials and overall record and is hard to leave out.

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

Parisal wins a Canterbury trial on April 19

13. Willinga Beast had quite the hard luck story in the Provincial-Midway Championships Final, no idea where she would have finished but it would have been a lot closer than seventh beaten three lengths. She’ll need a different kind of luck from a wide gate here but that’s not always a minus, especially if there’s rain around. Just the one win to her name but she’s better than her record shows.

Dangers: 5. Shadows Of Love was left in front a long way out in the same race and was gallant holding on for third. She did beat Willinga Beast in the Qualifier at Gosford and is logically one of the major chances. 4. Razeta was placed in the Guineas at this meeting last year and would very much like a wet track. Has run on as usual at her past couple to be just behind the placings and is always a chance especially if they run along up front. 2. Ghaanati was a Listed winner on a soft track before a break and not disgraced when resuming down the straight at Flemington. Fitter for a recent trial and is one of the chances.

How to play it: Willinga Beast EACH-WAY ($9.00 TAB Fixed Odds).

Willinga Beast’s run in the Provincial-Midway final

1. Schwarz is a promising type who had no luck at all in the Arrowfield when solid in the market. Went for the inside run that closed on him early in the straight and it’s a case of what might have been given he was only beaten two lengths. Has another inside gate here but he’s clearly the one to beat.

Dangers: 7. Konasana powered home from the second half of the field to win the James Carr on a heavy track second-up and if she can repeat that sort of performance she’d be a major contender. Draw suits her style and any rain a plus for her. 4. Butch Cassidy has been solid in two runs back from a spell and might be ready to peak now. Led them up in the South Pacific and only went down half a length. Should roll forward here and can take some running down. 16. Hasty Honey boxed on gamely on speed in the James Carr to run third and she’s not without some claims each-way on her home track. Has always promised a bit and lived up to it with a Group 3 placing last time.

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

Schwarz runs sixth at Randwick on April 13

1. Detonator Jack ran an honest race in the Doncaster and isn't badly placed here with top weight. He’s rarely put in a bad one and can make some use of an inside barrier to be better than midfield. He does love the wet if it gets to be trying ground and is a definite chance.

Dangers: 15. Jojo Was A Man ran third in this race last year and hasn’t started since running second in the Ladies Day Cup over this course on a heavy track. Different prep for him tackling a mile first-up but he’s had three trials and is a genuine miler. 3. Berkshire Shadow also comes through the Doncaster and while he ran 14th he didn’t have the best of luck. His European credentials are excellent and while drawn the outside he could be a big improver. 5. Attractable could get a few favours up on speed and he's had a confidence boosting trial win in the blinkers. Big Dance winner who could easily bounce back.

How to play it: Detonator Jack WIN ($3.60 TAB Fixed Odds).

Detonator Jack runs sixth in the Doncaster Mile

17. Fall For Cindy did more than enough when resuming behind Green Shadows at Warwick Farm a month ago to suggest she’s on target to continue her excellent second-up form. She’s two from two under those conditions and gets into this race with just 50.5kg, an 8kg drop on last start. Can handle a soft track and looks a good chance.

Dangers: 6. Excelladus is a big watch first-up especially if we’re on a soft track. He acquitted himself well last preparation on good ground which is a handy pointer for when he strikes some give in the track and his record in that situation is superior. Can run well fresh. 4. Kibou won first-up last prep in a tough effort then the wheels fell off in two subsequent runs. He's trialled nicely and while drawn wide is a natural on pacer and will cruise across. Have to include him in the major hopes. 1. Brigantine is a lot better than his first-up run in the Star Kingdom suggests. Trialled well since and with the claim isn't badly placed. Expect improvement.

How to play it: Fall For Cindy WIN ($4.40 TAB Fixed Odds).

Fall For Cindy runs third at Warwick Farm on April 1

11. Chilli Filly has the upside given she’s only raced four times with both wins coming on soft tracks. Her Boxing Day win has turned out to be quite a good form race and she’s very easy to like.

Dangers: 3. Contemporary is always around the mark at this level and resumes after a scene stealing win at Randwick at the end of last year. Handles all ground and expect him to run well fresh. 9. Queen Of The Mile tried hard when narrowly beaten first-up at Canterbury. Probably doesn't want a heap of rain but must respect. 6. Fire Lane disappointed first-up at Wyong but her recent trial was more like it. Local who can be a big improver here.

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

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