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By Neil Evans

Track Soft 6 and rail out 2m from 1100m to WP and True the remainder

An open middle distance maiden to start on a surface likely to get well into soft range with plenty of rain forecast on the day. Improving and well-bred three-year-old 6. Firm Agreement stuck on well when resuming in a handy provincial field, and is suited by the extra trip at big odds.

Dangers: There was plenty to like about 12. The Three Hundred hitting the line hard here first-up as a well backed favourite. 13. Viktor stuck on okay when leading here and beating all but the winner in Super Maiden class; while both 14. Ti Amo Tanto, improving at her third start; and 18. Le Chocolat third-up for the leading trainer/rider combination; can add value into trifecta and first four plays.

How to play it: Firm Agreement to win

Another testing affair shapes okay for well bred three-year-old 7. Oceanfront on debut for the in-form Sara Ryan yard at Wyong. Has been close-up in two trials up to 1030m, pushed out in the latest, and with a likely soft track in play will relish the going being by Trapeze Artist out of a Street Cry mare.

Dangers: Drawn the fence, and resuming with gear changes in her first outing for the new Kristen Buchanan stable, rival Wyong mare 8. Rennata has also worked nicely through two trials. Big watch on 1. Jared also first-up off two progressive trials, and comes to hand early in the campaign. Lightly raced 2. Kazotsky stuck on okay first-up at Newcastle behind a smart winner. Locally-trained 3. Jump In The Line can run a big race down in weight second-up.

How to play it: Oceanfront to win

Emerging colt 4. Force Red is the clear measuring stick here, resuming off a year-long break. Showed more than enough in the Group 3 Breeders Plate last spring, and has been strong through the line in two recent trials, the latest parking off the speed and cruising home under a throttle hold.

Dangers: Trained on the track, 7. The Act is a serious threat at his second start, having missed narrowly on debut at Wyong as a hot favorite, and draws to get an economical run right on the speed. 9. Celestial Blind is drawn wide, but has plenty of ability returning for only a second start after running subsequent Group 1 winner Manaal to a head in the Group 3 Gimcrack last spring. Gap to the rest headed by 3. First Mission, a colt by Snitzel from the Gerald Ryan-Sterling Alexiou stable, who is over the odds on debut behind a metro trial win. Include another debutant 6. Inoue by Shalaa in the Team Snowden yard in wider exotics.

How to play it: Force Red to win

Plenty of chances again, but the best early value lies with progressive filly 8. Pleasure Artist at her third start, although she is another one dual-accepted for the Goulburn meeting as well. Was very good sweeping home to win a Midway Maiden at Kembla 26 days ago, and as long as can tuck in for some cover from the wide gate, a metro target is just around the corner.

Dangers: 2. Side Show is the natural threat coming back from deeper BM 72 city company, and blinkers off again. Improving 4. Trapeze Pleasure can give a big sight third-up; while home track mare 6. Royal Veloute can run into the money fourth-up. Gap to the rest.

How to play it: Pleasure Artist to win

Now that he's finally broken through via a dominant third-up win at Kembla, home track colt 10. Tenbury Wells can repeat the dose in deeper company. Again draws to get a charmed run right behind the speed, and the extra furlong is a further plus.

Dangers: Big watch on progressive colt 7. Cristal Clear who shoots for a third consecutive win after leading all the way in CL1 company here a fortnight ago. 2. Fleet Commander finds a thinner race fourth-up, but draws wide and has been fairly poor this prep. Gap to the rest.

How to play it: Tenbury Wells to win

Lightly raced 4. Cassiel returns as a gelding with a string of gear changes. Powered home to win on debut at Wyong back in March, and has been primed for this with two city trials, bolting in the latest at Randwick, running a slick 33.16 secs for his final 600m.

Dangers: Also returning as a gelding for his third start, 8. Admitted also looks ready to rock for Godolphin behind two close-up trials. 2. Hydrometer was never out of a place in four runs last prep to start his career, claiming his maiden with a dominant front-running display at Gosford. Has had an easy trial, and draws to get a soft run on-speed. Include in all exotic bets, 5. Lord Bob third-up from a softer draw; and 10. Wealthy Investor resuming.

How to play it: Cassiel to win

The girls' edition shapes ideally for emerging filly 10. Island Dec, resuming for only her second start. Swept home from the back for an impressive debut win at Kembla in June, and behind a very easy trial 13 days ago, she can settle back with cover and be saved for one whirlwind final burst. Scratched from Warwick Farm on Wednesday to be saved for this.

Dangers: Big watch on 5. Miss Couver, who made a mess of the start at Wyong three weeks back, yet from a tailed off position, chased hard and made up a tonne of ground. Has since trialled quietly, and can hit the line; while 8. Glorioso resumes for Godolphin behind a quiet trial.

How to play it: Island Dec to win

One of the tougher and more open races on the program is saved for last. Despite not having won a for a while, 5. Tavs can produce his best third-up coming back from a deeper metro race. Likes to settle well back and hit the line, and a return to soft ground with the blinkers back on can flick the switch.

Dangers: Progressive 10. Flying Rani stalked the speed before going home best here 19 days ago. Draws to get a charmed run right behind the speed, and drops 2kg for the rise in class. Over the odds is hard fit 3. Hellfire Express deep into his prep from the inside draw. Keep safe both 6. Vomo Island with a change of jockey, and 7. Be Real resuming for the leading home track stable behind two quiet trials. Home tracker 12. Oh Golly Gosh can run into the money.

How to play it: Tavs to win

BEST BETS:
R5 10. TENBURY WELLS
R6 4. CASSIEL

BEST VALUE:
R7 10. ISLAND DEC

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