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By Ray Hickson

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

1. Hypnosis started favourite and hit the lead about 300m out before being run down here last Thursday on a soft 7. Expect he will press forward and be prominent again and gets another chance to break through.

Dangers: 6. Golden Chances has to be included if she backs up from running a close second as favourite on a heavy track at Goulburn on Saturday. 3. Eptiwins hasn't been exposed to a heavy track but he should be fitter for one run from a 12 months break where he led and knocked up. 8. Proverbial is going okay on the country circuit and gave a sight on the pace when runner-up at Scone last time. Place hope again.

How to play it: Hypnosis WIN ($1.90 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Hypnosis runs second at Hawkesbury on November 4

2. Ribeauville showed some promise in his first prep and did prove himself in the wet with a couple of close placings. Trialled nicely alongside a Saturday class horse in his latest hitout and is a good chance first-up.

Dangers: 7. Strombus has been fair in two starts though not beaten far in either. Led them up when run down at Newcastle last time, finishing fourth but beaten one length. Placing was on a soft 7 so could be an improver. 1. Notabadbet ran his best race so far when he resumed with a third at Gosford, where he drew wide. Fitter for that and while he's obviously yet to prove himself in the wet he has a chance to here. 4. Aramis hasn't trialled on a wet track but is one to keep an eye on with the in-form Newnham/Parr combination.

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

Ribeauville runs second in a Warwick Farm trial on November 3

7. Carartie resumed last prep on a soft 6 and ran well and as consistent without winning in four starts in that campaign. Trialling well and would only need to handle the going to be right in the finish of this.

Dangers: 8. Decisive Move was well supported first-up but was never really in the hunt at all as she beat one home at Kembla on a heavy 8. Whether it was the heavy or something else remains to be seen but her previous soft track form suggests she’s worth another chance. 1. Fine Impact led and just weakened when resuming to finish fourth in an open maiden here a few weeks ago. Fitter for that, no exposure to the wet but inclined to have another look at her. 10. Miss Milton improved on a sound return at Scone to be beaten less than half a length on a heavy track at Taree a month ago. Handles the going so that’s a plus and could measure up.

How to play it: Carartie WIN ($2.60 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Carartie wins a trial at Randwick on October 29

8. Wardaddy went under as a $1.55 favourite first-up at Port Macquarie but it was a game effort and he’ll be better for it. Impressive winner on debut on a heavy track and also trialled well in the wet prior to the first-up run. Good chance.

Dangers: 7. Flash Point had her first run for John Thompson and was prominent throughout before running a close second over 1000m here. Fitter and handles the wet okay so is one of the chances. 5. Colour De Roy settled last when resuming at Goulburn and didn’t feature then led here two weeks ago and held on for a handy third. Only win was a soft 7 at Kembla and is in the mix. 2. Gave Me You failed in the Inglis Sprint before a spell but the rest of his form was solid including a heavy track placing. Not seen at the trials since late July so is one to keep an eye on.

How to play it: Wardaddy WIN ($3.20 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Wardaddy runs second at Port Macquarie on October 24

3. Five Crowns has done nothing wrong with two wins from as many starts and did look stronger second-up at Newcastle than he did on debut. Yet to see a heavy track but certainly bred to handle one. No reason he can’t win again if he does get through the going.

Dangers: 8. Weekend Affair doesn’t win out of turn but he does like a wet track so stays under notice after running into second on a heavy at Kembla last time. 6. Dynasties won nicely on debut in May then returned with a closing second at Newcastle on a good track. No real guide on whether she will relish a heavy or not but otherwise hard to ignore. 9. Trescha had some support when resuming at Newcastle in country grade and was close up. Fitter here and wet track form is good. Has a show.

How to play it: Five Crowns WIN ($2.40 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Five Crowns wins at Newcastle on October 25

2. Unwavering Faith has excellent wet track credentials and showed how well she’s going at present winning the Cessnock Cup on a good track last time out. Previous win was three back on a heavy 10. In top form and should be in the finish.

Dangers: 3. Atonement was a beaten favourite second-up at Kembla on a heavy track but drops in class here and is now out to her preferred distance range. Won over 1800m on a heavy track here back in May and can lift. 4. Rodrick’s Secret can mix his form but did win nicely on a soft 7 at Goulburn two runs back and held his ground when a big drifter in betting here last time. Worth including in the chances. 6. Tea Leaves didn’t fire on a heavy track at Kembla last time but did work early. Since trialled okay and he did start $2 at Kembla so with blinkers on if it wasn’t the going he could be a sharp improver.

How to play it: Unwavering Faith WIN ($3.80 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Unwavering Faith wins the Cessnock Cup at Newcastle on October 25

3. Remus raced very well on wet tracks in the winter and resumes with two trials under his belt. They’ve either been on synthetic or good ground and he hasn’t been asked to get into the trials so betting might be a pointer. But if he’s ready he has the conditions to feature.

Dangers: 12. Lexi’s Choice might be a good roughie after resuming with a handy enough effort at Kembla on a heavy track recently. Fitter and she’s generally a consistent mare who handles all going, she just doesn’t win often. This could be a chance for her. 5. One Star Shining was a bit disappointing when resuming at Port Macquarie but his best form last prep was in the wet and he shapes as an improver with a claim. 10. Raay Of Dreams generally likes a wet track and was placed on a heavy at Taree before a sound second at Newcastle on a good track. Has a show.

How to play it: Remus E/W ($5.00 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Remus wins at Hawkesbury in June

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