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By Neil Evans

Track Good 4 and rail true.

The opening sprint shapes as the domain of smart three-year-old 1. Gitalong resuming off a near eight month break with the winkers removed. Has been tuned up for this with two dominant winning city trials, and a couple of early market rivals have come out.

Dangers: Russian Revolution colt 3. Mateo is on debut in blinkers for the Snowden stable behind two recent progressive trials, and can run the quinella; while 7. Hokusai is first-up off two quiet trials.

How to play it: Gitalong to win

Not much between the leading contenders in this maiden as well, starting with Lonhro four-year-old 5. Long Memory who can strike fresh off a long absence. Hasn't raced since debuting in the spring of last year, but has always carried a decent wrap, and was strong through the line in the second of two 1030m Rosehill trials.

Dangers: Plenty of respect for provincial mare 3. Grace Of Trish who returns off an even longer break for only her second start. Given two easy trials in a stable that is renowned for getting them ready first-up. The other one well in the early market is 2. Fire Power who resumes off a handy trial ahead of his first run for the new and relocated Mitch Beer stable at Kembla, although under the odds here from a wider draw. Included in exotics 1. Different Road resuming; and 9. Mr Showman who draws to find a close trail third-up.

How to play it: Long Memory to win

Lightly raced mare 3. Nicci's Gem can progress off a tough first-up effort when only beaten a long neck at Newcastle after being well supported at each way odds, and the third horse from that race has since run well in a deeper metro super maiden. Stays at the distance carrying a kilo less, and again will roll forward from a middle barrier.

Dangers: Drawn one gate inside, 7. Djpana is a natural threat fourth-up with winkers back on; while both locally-trained Vancouver filly 5. Hastings Mill on debut; and 9. Royal Veloute first-up; are both capable of finishing in the money.

How to play it: Nicci's Gem to win

Testing middle distance battle here for the older maidens. Progressive metro mare 9. Lady Devine peaks third-up over a furlong further. Like the way she attacked the line at Goulburn from near last 12 days ago, and any rain would be a huge bonus.

Dangers: Naturally, short-priced early favourite 11. Speymalt is the clear one to beat second-up in very moderate company, despite being disappointing at Gosford from a wider gate. Stable has reacted swapping winkers for blinkers, and he should get a better and slightly closer run in transit this time, but still looms under the odds. Gap to the rest headed by 7. Wild Canary who is hard fit and comes back sharply in distance.

How to play it: Lady Devine to win

Competitive battle for this grade. Tough four-year-old 3. Call Me Louis is underrated, and well placed here second-up off a five week break, coming through some very handy formlines. Finished right behind the placegetters in a CL3 Highway at Rosehill just 12 days ago, and was scratched from a winnable race at Newcastle on Tuesday to be saved for this. Has shown plenty of versatility too, winning a BM 68 from the front two runs back, and also running home hard from well off the speed earlier in the prep.

Dangers: Watch the betting on talented mare 2. Aunt Roberta who resumes for the John O'Shea stable behind two trials; while 4. Jack Duggan second-up off a six week break from a low draw; and 7. Donegal Lights down in weight third-up; are both well in mix.

How to play it: Call Me Louis to win

The Snowden stable has shown its hand here placing talented colt 4. Andronicus first-up over seven furlongs for only his third start. Hasn't started since a smart provincial maiden win as a two-year-old back in late July, but even more significant, he charged home from the back over 1300m on debut at Newcastle to only miss by a length. Fitted to run this out via a very soft trial over 1050m.

Dangers: Improving 1. Roma Avenue reloads a month between runs and via a trial where he looked very comfortable through the line. The market should provide a solid indicator with metro filly 2. Beauty Rising resuming off a seven week break and very quiet trial. Progressive Godolphin filly 11. Cosmos represents good value off a third start provincial maiden win.

How to play it: Andronicus to win

From a much handier gate, progressive mare 4. Lalaguna is the one to beat, despite rising in class fourth-up. Comes off a barrier-to-box CL1 win, and this isn't strong.

Dangers: Keep safe honest 8. Crystal Waters second-up; while 1. Edmond resuming behind two winning trials; and 7. Spats Pav Bowie down in weight deep into the prep; are both capable of finishing in the money.

How to play it: Lalaguna to win

A moderate sprint for this grade to close the meeting. Tough and still lightly raced five-year-old 1. Oxford Vision reloads off a nine week break and strong provincial trial. Comes to hand quickly and has a solid record over this trip.

Dangers: Despite being drawn wide, 8. Our Lady Stardust resumes off a quiet trial, and normally fires early in the prep; while 4. Zenti is third-up and the best of the rest.

How to play it: Oxford Vision to win

BEST BETS:
R3 3. NICCI'S GEM
R4 9. LADY DEVINE

BEST VALUE:
R5 3. CALL ME LOUIS

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