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By Ray Hickson

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

1. First Peoples is an interesting first starter who trialled impressively at Hawkesbury a couple of weeks ago, comfortably winning a 1000m heat. Has found a nice race to debut in and if he runs up to his trial he should go close.

Dangers: 2. Hypnosis disappointed at Kembla two starts ago then better effort after leading at Nowra he held on for third. Expect he will press forward from the outside and give a good account. 3. Imperial Wolf had two years off before failing on a wet track at Goulburn a month ago. Since then he ran them along to win a Rosehill trial. Be guided by the market but a place is achievable. 5. Zohan mixed his form last time in though it did open with a sound placing at Newcastle. Two quiet trials and could be placed.

How to play it: First Peoples WIN ($2.80 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

First Peoples wins a trial at Hawkesbury on October 18

3. Mr Burgundy is going to have plenty of attention on him after a runaway trial win at Muswellbrook a month ago that had the jockey looking around a long way from home. Clearly on top on what we’ve seen in this field. Read trainer Will Freedman's comments here.

Dangers: 6. Moon Reader ran above expectation on debut at Newcastle over 900m and the way she stuck on suggests she’ll appreciate more ground. Drawn nicely and looks the logical danger. 4. Fernanda has only trialled once and that was in late September where she beat two rivals narrowly. Locally trained and the market might be significant with her. 5. No Statement gave a sight in front when placed over this track and distance just over a week ago. Has a show.

How to play it: Mr Burgundy WIN ($2.20 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Mr Burgundy wins a trial at Muswellbrook on October 6

1. Seduction Queen is hard to go past after her easy win over 1800m a couple of weeks ago when well supported and she’d only have to run out the extra distance to win again, though she will be a short priced favourite.

Dangers: 5. Phelan Thirsty was well beaten on a heavy 10 last time but on her run behind Torrens two starts back she has to be a player here. Expect her to run well. 3. Microna had been racing well at provincial level before a fair effort behind Mightybeel at Kensington last time out. Wasn’t disgraced there and is better suited in this. 6. Riverstock has been unlucky a couple of times this prep and she can also do better than her effort in the same race where she was at the tail all the way. Ran second to Phelan Thirsty four runs back.

How to play it: Seduction Queen WIN ($1.70 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Seduction Queen wins at Hawkesbury on October 21

2. For Valour was beaten as an odds-on favourite when resuming here recently and while he had his chance he sat outside the lead and was a sitting shot. Fitter and extra 200m suits so he’s worth another shot.

Dangers: 3. El Parmy ran an even race on debut back in November last year and has been given plenty of time. Improved showing in latest trial and kicking off at this trip could be significant. Keep safe. 9. Sheer Treasure was safely held by the winner but ran on okay behind Norwegian Bliss at Newcastle first-up on a soft 7. Fitter and is at least a place chance. 4. Sir Savaluca was beaten at $1.70 at Orange last time on a soft 6 after leading. Form is mixed so far and has place claims.

How to play it: For Valour WIN ($1.45 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

For Valour runs second at Hawkesbury on October 21

3. Major Murphy will need the race run to suit but he’s not far off another win after a close second at Wyong and solid effort at Warwick Farm last time. Racing well and just needs the breaks to be hard to beat.

Dangers: 1. Quiet Riot can be very hit and miss and pulled up with an excuse after failing first-up at Warwick Farm a month ago. Trialled well since and if he finds his best form he can bounce back. 5. Daichi showed promise in his first preparation though both runs were on heavy tracks. Trialled in a strong heat a couple of weeks ago and bears close watching fresh. 2. Colonel ran well at this sort of level before failing in a Midway at Rosehill on a heavy track in July. No public trials so betting some pointer but wouldn’t surprise to see him placed.

How to play it: Major Murphy WIN ($4.00 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Major Murphy runs fourth at Warwick Farm on October 13

6. Kung Fu Mushu did the job well first-up running down For Valour and we’ll see how that form stacks up earlier in the day. While up in grade he can only have upside and should be in the finish again.

Dangers: 1. Cross Talk is an interesting ex-NZ horse who won his only starts there back in May and is now with the Waterhouse/Bott yard. First trial was behind Eduardo and he was solid enough in the second. Respect. 2. Sonic Tycoon hasn’t raced since July and just didn’t seem to come up last preparation. Won his first two starts so he is capable of showing up if he is in order this time around. 3. La Tigresa was never in it first-up on a heavy track at Tamworth and is better suited up in distance and onto a firmer track at this stage. Can improve.

How to play it: Kung Fu Mushu WIN ($3.80 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Kung Fu Mushu wins at Hawkesbury on October 21

8. Wheelhouse has promised a bit with solid showings in a couple of G1s last season and hit the line nicely when resuming in the Sydney Stakes. Rise in trip suits him and if he improves off it he has the chance to break through with the light weight.

Dangers: 1. Quackerjack was very solid when resuming at Randwick behind Exoboom and he might get some control of this race now he’s fitter. If he does he will take a power of running down. 4. Looks Like Elvis tends to run into one or two better but he is good enough if he gets the breaks. Narrowly beaten by Atishu first-up then even effort with a month between runs last time. Must give another chance. 3. Reloaded was placed in the G2 Shannon two starts back then never a factor in the Epsom. Better suited here and while he doesn’t win out of turn he’s in the mix.

How to play it: Wheelhouse WIN ($2.30 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Wheelhouse’s first-up run in the Sydney Stakes at Randwick on October 16

7. Segrill looks a good each-way chance with the blinkers back on after a couple of handy thirds at this sort of level. Draws well on the inside and if she can hold her form she’s more than capable of being in the finish somewhere.

Dangers: 2. Free Rider has had a freshen up and stable change since he won at Scone in late September. Has trialled and with the 3kg for in-form apprentice he has to be respected. 9. Carolina Fire couldn’t have been more impressive breaking her maiden status leading all the way over this course two weeks ago. Up in grade naturally but she’s lightly raced and could progress further. 3. Just A Jedi ran well when resuming at Newcastle then had support at odds and disappointed running last at Kensington. Down in class and entitled to another chance on handy fresh effort.

How to play it: Segrill E/W ($11 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Segrill runs third at Hawkesbury on October 21

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