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By John Schell

Selections based on a soft track

5. Mysterio resumed from a spell at Scone at its latest start and hit the line well enough to finish a game second behind stablemate Presides, which has since been placed at Kembla Grange. Mysterio looks to have improved on her first preparation and can go on with the job now.

Dangers: 6. Shine Like It Does has only had three starts and finished third in the second of them at Kembla Grange. She since failed at Kembla Grange last time out when well in the market but can improve here. 8. Coast Guard has only had two starts and showed improvement at his second when running third behind Presides at Scone, while 9. Strong Trade ran well on debut at Warwick Farm and since resumed with a disappointing effort at this track. He can run better in this.

How to play it: Mysterio WIN.

2. Our Anchorage has had three starts back from a spell and they all have in city company. He steps up to 2000m here and looks ready to peak at this distance having performed well in all of his runs since resuming.

Dangers: 1. Fernao debuted for the Australian stable with a third at Canterbury, and followed that up with another third at Scone when tackling provincial company. The step up to 2000m should suit. 3. Tajawal is a stablemate of Fernao and has had three starts since arriving. He’s run well in two of those and looks to have the talent to give this a shake. 4. Dalio is lightly raced with just four starts to his name and comes into this on the back of a Newcastle victory over 1850m.

How to play it: Our Anchorage WIN.

6. After Match is a well-bred colt resuming from a break here having finished fifth in his debut on the Kensington track at Randwick earlier in the year. He’s had two trials to prepare for this return to racing and warrants plenty of thought.

Dangers: 10. Royal Defense is on debut and has had one barrier trial, which he won at this track. He can run well here with a repeat of that effort. 5. So Yes It Is has been unplaced in three starts to date but could figure here without shocking. 9. Majorca Sunset is on debut and was scratched from Wyong on Saturday to be saved for this.

How to play it: After Match EACH WAY.

10. Wings Of Desire is out of the same dam as the mighty Winx and is by Pride Of Dubai. She’s had three barrier trials to be readied for her debut in this and won the latest of them at Rosehill. She’s drawn well with Tommy Berry taking the ride.

Dangers: 8. Fejer Dawn is on debut for the Neasham stable and was close-up in her only trial at this track. She’s well-bred and warrants plenty of thought in this line-up. 11. Written Scandal is also on debut for the Snowdens and has looked good in two trials. She looks to have the talent to give this a shake. 4. Our Little Star has been placed in all three runs since resuming from a spell and has claims again here.

How to play it: Wings Of Desire WIN.

1. Irish Anthem is first-up from a spell and has been placed in five of his 10 starts. He was a close-up third in a trial leading into this and can return in winning form.

Dangers: 10. Royale Veloute failed to finish at Newcastle before being spelled and has since had a trial at this track when finishing fourth in preparation for this. She should be ready to run well here. 11. Sashabella has had two runs back from a spell and has shown improvement. She could figure in the placings here without shocking. 12. Torie’s Rose was placed here when back from a freshen-up and was midfield at Scone following that. She has claims here.

How to play it: Irish Anthem WIN.

4. Unwritten had been racing well before breaking through with another victory on a very heavy track at Goulburn at his latest start. He was placed at this track back in March and has had a good overall record with five wins and 10 placings from 34 starts.

Dangers: 1. Just A Brother won the Parkes Cup three starts ago and hasn’t been disgraced in a couple of city starts since then despite being down the track in each of them. 10. Hard Pick wasn’t disgraced at Scone when last produced and is not out of this, while 12. Brohm Lake resumed with a solid third at Goulburn then was on speed and dropped out at Kembla Grange last time out and can do better.

How to play it: Unwritten EACH WAY.

2. Rouge Lune was a winner in Federal company at Canberra back in February and since then took on a couple of Country Championships lead-ups before returning from a spell with a 10th at Moruya. He is capable of sharp improvement on that here and warrants respect.

Dangers: 8. Titan Star was placed at this track two starts ago and followed that up with a win here when racing on the speed last time out. He’s racing well enough to go on with the job. 1. Morpheus Bragi ran second at Gosford four starts ago and followed that up with just behind the placings efforts at Rosehill, Kensington and Wyong. This looks a suitable race. 7. Picasso’s Dream has two wins and four third placings from six starts and looks to have the ability to give this a shake.

How to play it: Rouge Lune WIN.

3. Cross The Rubicon has been tackling city grade races of late and has been racing well without winning. She ran fourth at Warwick Farm and on the Kensington track, and has since been midfield at Rosehill and Randwick. The form looks solid for this.

Dangers: 4. From The Bush has been racing well with third placings at his latest two starts at this track and Mudgee. He has a good record and can make an impact here. 11. Let Me Reign hasn’t been beaten far in two runs back from a spell since changing stables and looks a leading chance, while 1. Fletchlo is a last start winner that warrants some thought again here.

How to play it: Cross The Rubicon WIN.

Best Bets:
Race 1 (5) Mysterio.
Race 8 (3) Cross The Rubicon.

Best Value:
Race 3 (6) After Match.

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