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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.

5. Linebacker was set to debut in town recently but was scratched at the barriers. Was well supported going into that race so no surprise to see him come up favourite. No exposure to a wet track is an obvious query but all things equal he’s hard to beat.

Dangers: 2. Bosustow was also a recent scratching from a midweek city meeting and hasn’t raced for a month since a sound debut chasing Fully Lit after settling near last. Better for that and looms as a danger. 6. War Ribbon is trialling very well and showed speed in the latest before being run down but held second clearly. Could give a sight here. 1. Benamera finished off his latest trial on a heavy track in good style to win quite nicely, that was at Gosford last week. That’s a promising sign given the likely conditions.

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

Linebacker wins a Randwick trial on January 22

2. Midnight Harry raced wide near the speed when he failed at Canterbury last start so that can be forgiven. Go on his previous two narrow defeats and he’s not far off a win. Placed in all three soft track starts so may well like the ground. Good chance.

Dangers: 3. Miss Bayles showed some promise in her first preparation with two seconds and two fourths from four starts and was exposed to a heavy before a spell. Definite chance. 4. Summer Soiree was a sharp improver into her second trial where she led all the way to a comfortable win at Randwick a couple of weeks ago. If she handles the ground she’s likely to give a sight. 6. Apres Ski was solid in betting and tried hard when placed at Newcastle second-up off a wide run, albeit at the short trip. Open to further improvement here.

How to play it: Midnight Harry WIN ($5.00 TAB Fixed Odds).

Midnight Harry runs second at Gosford on January 12

2. Reigning King had a handy first prep for Nathan Doyle and seemed to handle soft ground well. Front-runner who resumes after two trials and was run down by a smart one in the latest without being really pressured. Sure to run well fresh.

Dangers: 3. Santasia is the logical danger though she’s had no wet track exposure in her three starts. Beaten favourite in the latest at Goulburn after leading. Trained here and entitled to another chance. 4. Spirit Of Varanasi made some ground to place first-up at Wyong on a soft 6 before disappointing at Gosford last time. Another capable of lifting. 6. Serafima hasn’t fired in two runs back but did take a couple of runs to get going last time in and could be an improver.

How to play it: Reigning King WIN ($2.50 TAB Fixed Odds).

Reigning King runs second in a Scone trial on February 14

10. Baile Fervor was close up in a Super maiden at Kensington before a luckless fourth at Newcastle where he definitely should have gone close. Should be okay on a heavy track and chance to atone if he does handle it.

Dangers: 2. Llewellyn was placed on debut on a soft 6 and didn’t do a bad job thrown in the deep end at G3 level before a spell. Handy trial recently and stays under notice. 12. Bush Telegraph is a locally trained first starter whose latest trial was her best to date. Query in the heavy but could show up. 7. Zale was well supported at Nowra second-up and ran up to it with a closing third on a soft 6. Could go on with it.

How to play it: Baile Fervor WIN ($2.00 TAB Fixed Odds).

Baile Fervour runs fourth at Newcastle on February 3

11. Redbreast started favourite on debut and led but was no match for the winner when third at Warwick Farm two weeks ago. Will go forward again here and should be harder to run down.

Dangers: 4. Superstitious has come back in good order with a couple of placings at Canterbury and if he can transfer that onto a wet track he’s a good chance to break through. 12. Rip Off led when fourth at Canterbury first-up on a soft 6 before running on from last into third in a small field. Worth some thought. 1. Khumbila just failed when resuming on a good track at Newcastle a few weeks ago. No wet track exposure but worth a look to find out.

How to play it: Redbreast WIN ($1.55 TAB Fixed Odds).

2. Owen County found his best form to score a dominant win at Gosford and the form has held up with the runner-up winning in town since. Proven in the wet and now he’s back to something like he’s best he could easily go on with it.

Dangers: 6. Whatadilemma is another proven wet tracker who wasn’t disgraced when settling last at Newcastle before running on beaten a length. Strike rate becoming a worry but one of the main chances. 7. Highness strikes a wet track for the first time this prep and after an improved third at Newcastle fourth-up he might be ready to show his best. Each-way. 5. Matlock wasn’t the best away when a beaten favourite at Canberra second-up. Did win nicely there fresh and has won on a heavy. Keep in mind.

How to play it: Owen County WIN ($2.60 TAB Fixed Odds).

Owen County wins at Gosford on February 1

3. The Hawkesbury made a strong debut with a heavy track win at Kembla back in November before going down as favourite on good ground at Newcastle. Promising type fitter for that run back and gets conditions she’s proven in. The one to beat.

Dangers: 5. Starmae backed up a much improved second-up placing with an easy all the way Wyong win two weeks ago. Lightly raced and must be considered. 12. Mosht Up is an experienced wet tracker who hasn’t struck a heavy for a while but she’s been racing quite well of late including a placing at Gosford on a good track. If there’s an upset she could be the one. 8. Gendarmarie led and couldn't go on in a stronger race at Warwick Farm second-up. Fresh effort sound and has placed on heavy so stays under notice.

How to play it: The Hawkesbury WIN ($1.70 TAB Fixed Odds).

The Hawkesbury runs third at Newcastle on February 3

9. Flying Impala gave nothing else a chance when scoring an easy all the way maiden win at Canberra on a soft 6. Up in grade but is honest and after a host of scratchings can take running down.

Dangers: 1. Sailor is aided by the 3kg claim and he’s an interesting runner resuming with some heavy track form and right back in class. One to keep very safe. 14. King's Duty has been battling a little but does have a heavy track win to his name and while he's been unplaced his past few he hasn't been beaten far. So could show up. 5. Don Stefano is a bit of a watch with Nash riding first-up for the new stable. Trialled at Parkes and not seen a wet track.

How to play it: Flying Impala WIN ($4.00 TAB Fixed Odds).

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