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By Ray Hickson

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

3. Count On Me has the hoof on the till for a breakthrough win after three placings on end, the latest after leading over this course. No excuses here, drawn well and handles the sting out of the track.

Dangers: 8. Pharoah’s Reign was a drifting favourite at Scone last time but didn’t have the greatest run and wasn’t disgraced beaten under three lengths. Looked to be shaping up toward a win prior to that so worth another chance. 5. Maralago has put a couple of honest runs together and stuck to the task okay when placed at Canterbury. Runner-up from that race has since won. Go well. 2. Buoyant has been a bit disappointing since a close up fresh effort. Perhaps the extra distance may suit.

How to play it: Count On Me WIN ($2.90 TAB Fixed Odds) Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Count On Me runs second at Hawkesbury on June 30

1. Tudor Prince has gone from strength to strength this time in and was simply too tough scoring on a heavy at Canterbury. Obviously rises in weight for coming back to provincial level but will be hard to beat.

Dangers: 2. Outlook is back in class on her last few and if she can strike her best form she will be right in the finish. First two runs this prep had you thinking a win isn’t far off so she’s certainly good enough. 5. Viren showed improvement third-up at double figure odds to run into third over a mile at this track. Any lift in the track rating would be to his aid though his strike rate is a bigger concern. 6. On Bail is fitter for one run back and the rise in trip is a big plus for him. Showed staying promise last prep so should improve here.

How to play it: Tudor Prince WIN ($4.60 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Tudor Prince wins at Canterbury on June 22

9. Starspangledancer is a very interesting runner coming off a runaway 12 length trial win on her home track last month. Didn’t look like stopping in that gallop and while has to run out 1000m she has to go on top on that performance. Read trainer Blake Ryan's comments here.

Dangers: 11. Surrenders has the race experience and hit the line strongly without threatening when runner-up over 900m at Newcastle. She’ll be better for that and the extra 100m and looms as a threat. 12. Surreal Lily wasn’t too bad on debut at Goulburn and has been given some time since then. Scored an easy trial win a few weeks ago, draws well and is one to keep an eye on. 5. Mr Extreme is on debut and in his latest trial he hit the lead early in the straight and was run down near the line on synthetic. Keep an eye on betting.

How to play it: Starspangledancer WIN ($2.90 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Starspangledancer wins a trial at Hawkesbury on June 21

2. Agnodice should have finished a lot closer to Flag Of Honour when he ran a much improved third at Newcastle three weeks ago. Picked himself up nicely and hit the line and if he can run up to that effort should go close.

Dangers: 5. Silvakia is bred to perhaps get over a bit of ground so her two trials over short trips are encouraging. Where she gets to from the wide gate is a question mark but inclined to keep her safe. 3. Caring Lass is another first starter who should handle the ground on pedigree being by Sebring. Two trials have been sound and draws nicely. Worth including in the chances. 1. Hecate wasn’t fancied on debut at Canterbury and inclined to forgive on a very heavy track. Wouldn’t shock if she’s a sharp improver.

How to play it: Agnodice WIN ($3.30 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Agnodice runs third at Newcastle on June 25

6. Star Buyer is the obvious horse to beat, he’s been beaten under half a length in both runs back and should be at his peak now. Raced on speed last time, hit the front and was run down so coming back 100m may help.

Dangers: 14. Ironbark Artie had some support at odds when resuming and ran right up to it with a closing third at Scone. Runner-up has since won and he’s drawn to be a bit closer this time. Respect. 3. King Adviso tried to lead all the way second-up over this course and found one better in Affidavit. Small query on soft ground but has had little exposure so benefit of the doubt applies. Go well. 11. Paballo made some ground on debut in the same race to run fifth and could be open to some improvement.

How to play it: Star Buyer WIN ($4.60 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: EVENS.

Star Buyer runs second at Newcastle on June 25

7. Beer Palace did find the right part of the track to win on debut but did it impressively at Newcastle. Up in class and drawn wide but put a margin on them first-up and could well be promising. Hard to beat.

Dangers: 4. Carartie was a dominant maiden winner first-up then up to this grade was narrowly beaten as favourite on a good track. Suited here with the sting out and has to be strongly considered. 6. Transplant was only beaten a length first-up at Kensington in a BM72 after racing on the speed. Fitter for that and if she handles the soft she should be very competitive. 1. Laos Fortune is racing well and followed a heavy track placing with a fast finishing win at Gosford to break his maiden status. Soft ground is okay for him and he could go on with it.

How to play it: Beer Palace WIN ($3.90 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Beer Palace wins at Newcastle on June 20

1. Mihocek drops sharply in class on his last start when well supported at Rosehill but didn’t relish the deteriorating conditions. Two runs prior in this class were sound and he should take beating in this.

Dangers: 2. Straya Pride is also back in grade after an unplaced effort at Randwick three weeks ago. Before that he’d won twice around this level and is entitled to another chance. 5. Duchess Adele is a very good wet tracker when right and she’ll be fitter for a first-up run at Kensington in a very strong form race. Easier here and no surprise to see her run well. 4. Pool Pony hasn’t done a lot in two starts back, failing to beat one home. Entitled to show something this time around.

How to play it: Mihocek WIN ($3.40 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Mihocek runs fourth at Warwick Farm on June 13

6. Alpha One couldn’t have been more impressive when he resumed with a dominant all the way win at Newcastle last month. Form last prep was sound in good company and he should take some catching here.

Dangers: 2. Reach For Gold is another last start winner at Goulburn and he’s done nothing wrong in three starts to date. Claim helps his cause and is one of the main chances. 4. Dijon has to be considered after a close second to Reach For Gold first-up. Down 3.5kg and is in the mix. 3. The Neon Knight wasn't disgraced when resuming at Gosford, sitting on speed and boxing on for fourth. City placed last time in and has each-way claims.

How to play it: Alpha One WIN ($2.25 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: EVENS.

Alpha One wins at Newcastle on June 25

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