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By John Schell

Selections based on a good track

2. Koning broke his maiden over 1850m at Newcastle two starts ago then stepped up in class and was down the track in the Vase at Moonee Valley before being spelled. He’s had two trials leading into this return and has looked good in both of them. He should be primed to run well in this.

Dangers: 4. Natural Deduction is resuming on the back of a solid effort in good grade over the spring carnival. He’s had two trials and is ready to run well, while 1. Long Genes failed to beat a runner home at Randwick when resuming but will find this easier. 9. Thailand is third-up from a spell and ready to show his best

How to play it: Koning WIN.

5. Gustav has had two recent trials to prepare for this debut and the stable has been in good form. He has drawn well enough in this and with any luck he can give these plenty to worry about.

Dangers: 8. Love The Cube has only had one start and that resulted in a close-up fourth at Newcastle as favourite. He can be in the thick of things again. 2. Highland Eightgee has been just behind the placings in his most three recent runs and is knocking on the door for a win. 7. Jump In The Line is on debut here and a bold showing is on the cards from the good gate.

How to play it: Gustav EACH WAY.

8. Fakhra steps up to 2000m in this and the distance looks made to order on the back of a last start third behind subsequent winner Wymark at Newcastle. He was placed on the Kensington track before that and that form looks strong for a race like this.

Dangers: 4. Il Tevere has been placed in three of his seven starts and has shown enough ability to be rated a leading contender here. 13. Piplup had her chance when resuming with a third at Wyong and could figure in the placings again here. 14. Vidya debuted behind Wymark in the same race Fakhra comes out of and is worth some thought.

How to play it: Fakhra WIN.

1. Khumbila has been placed in three of his four starts and comes into this on the back of a last start third at this track. He is third-up from a spell here and is ready to perform well.

Dangers: 2. Wizards has had two trials leading into this debut and has the advantage of a good barrier. He should run well here. 7. Reasonable finished second at Canterbury when resuming from a spell and will strip fitter for that hitout. She should figure prominently here. 5. Baile Fervor was placed here as favourite last time out and the booking of Aaron Bullock is a plus.

How to play it: Khumbila WIN.

4. Bo Katan resumed from a spell with a solid third at Wyong as favourite then stepped out at the same track last time out and hit the line well to score a solid win. He’s drawn well here and can go right on with the job.

Dangers: 1. Diabelli ended his last campaign with a string of four second placings. He’s been tuned up for this with a couple of trials and won the most recent of them at this track. 13. Audrey’s Lane looked good winning on debut at Goulburn and while she’s drawn wide in this, she looks to have her share of ability. 10. Decisive Lass resumed with a third at Nowra and will be better for that run.

How to play it: Bo Katan EACH WAY.

1. Mad Deel is a horse on the up. He was placed in his first two start back from a spell then broke through to score at Newcastle over the mile last time out. The step up in distance should suit him here.

Dangers: 6. Jon Bon led them up and battled on well to finish fourth behind Mad Deel at Newcastle and should give plenty of cheek again. 13. Ahuriri broke through in good style at Newcastle last time out and a repeat of that would have here right in the finish of this. She’s lightly raced and has shown potential. 5. Whatadilemma ran well here last time out when finishing fourth and is not the worst in this.

How to play it: Mad Deel EACH WAY.

12. Skiesthelimit was resuming from this track last month and hit the line well to score a solid victory. Now she’s broken through, she may be able to go on with the job.

Dangers: 8. Nightcapped was placed in two of her first three starts before breaking through to score in good style at Newcastle. She can make an impact again. 7. Well Timed won a maiden on a heavy track at Nowra when resuming and while he’s drawn wide, he could be thereabouts again with a repeat. 4. Fludway comes into this on the back of a last start third behind Rush Hour at Wyong and can give cheek here without surprising.

How to play it: Skiesthelimit WIN.

1. Dream Hour had been racing well with a win on the Kensington track before not being disgraced in a Rosehill event then did a good job when hitting the line well to win the Gateway at Eagle Farm which in turn gave him automatic entry into the Stradbroke Handicap. Was spelled after that and has had two trials to prepare for this. Goes well fresh and over this distance and drawn well here. Should be hard to hold out.

Dangers: 13. Pier Pressure was placed in the Inglis Sires’ at group 1 level as a two-year-old. Took a while to break through with a win but finally scored a maiden victory at start seven when successful at this track last October. Was spelled after not being disgraced in group 2 grade at Randwick and resumes here after having two trials. Expect her to sprint well fresh. 7. Short Shorts was placed in group 3 grade in the Dark Jewel at Scone last year before being spelled. Had three runs in the spring and failed to figure in the placings in any of them but has won two trials to prepare for this return and excels when fresh. On her home track here and should take plenty of beating. 2. True Crime’s form towards the end of last campaign was below best then won two trials before resuming from a spell with another disappointing effort when safely held at Rosehill. Capable of improving into this and a forward showing would not be a shock.

How to play it: Dream Hour WIN.

Best Bets:
Race 1 (2) Koning.
Race 3 (8) Fakhra.

Best Value:
Race 6 (1) Mad Deel.

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