By Neil Evans
Track Good 4 and rail True:
Race 1 4YO & UP MAIDEN HCP (1500m): |
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We start with the older maidens over a middle distance on a surface that could slip back into soft range, with some showers forecast. Hitting a fitness peak deep into the prep, improving mare 5. Al Flores can break through. Has been close-up in and around the money at this track in her last two, drawn to get a softer run this time, and gets a timely 2kg weight drop.
Dangers: Naturally early favourite and improving 2. Blacklist is also well credentialled fourth-up, but shapes under the odds from a tricky draw. Watch the betting on 4. Sting In The Tail who resumes off a lengthy break via two quiet trials for the Chris Waller stable.
How to play it: Al Flores to win
Race 2 CLASS 1 HCP (1500m): |
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Staying at the distance, and it looks the right race for 1. C'mon Mate to finally claim a second career win at his 22nd start, with the blinkers back on. Has placed in two of his last three, the latest under three lengths from the winner here in a tougher BM 64, and drawn to get lovely cover right behind the speed. Has placed a staggering 11 times so far, often without luck.
Dangers: 3. Mahogany Girl goes up in trip and is drawn to get an economical run again fourth-up behind a last start maiden win at this track. Keep safe 4. Suspect who has inconsistent form around the provincials, but gets to the right distance now, and drawn to get a handy run. Gap to the rest.
How to play it: C'mon Mate to win
Race 3 CLASS 1 & MAIDEN PLATE (1800m): |
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Home tracker 1. Physicist wouldn't need to improve much, if at all, on his second-up effort at Wyong against deeper BM 64 opposition to take care of this field, especially with blinkers back on. Charged home from well back to finish on the heels of the placegetters in a race run in record time that day, and the extra trip is a further plus. Well in at the weights dropping 1.5kg for this, and just needs early cover to be the clear one to beat.
Dangers: Underrated 2. Whatadilemma emerges as a threat fifth-up over more ground, with some likely rain a further boost. 4. Irish Anthem is trained on the track and always honest over these sort of trips, but needs to find a length or two; while 7. Devil's Daughter gets significant weight relief fourth-up.
How to play it: Physicist to win
Race 4 MAIDEN PLATE (1300m): |
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Several chances here including 11. Peschiera who represents good value coming back in distance behind a five week let-up. Found the line to place in three consecutive runs, twice in handy Super Maidens at Canterbury, before even through the line over a mile at Warwick farm. Has been given an easy trial since, normally comes to hand when on the fresher side, and is drawn to grab a handy trail a few lengths off the speed.
Dangers: Likely favourite 14. Star Of Paris missed by a whisker on debut at Newcastle having looked sharp at the trials prior, but under the odds in a bigger field here. Watch for any money around lightly raced 4. Carnegie Hill who draws the fence first-up off two easy trials. Two city-based debutants off two trials each, 7. Rumbling Night for the Waterhouse-Bott stable; and 8. Sarrismo for the O'Shea-Charlton yard; are both capable of running into the money at good odds.
How to play it: Peschiera to win
Race 5 BENCHMARK 64 HCP (1300m): |
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Capable 5. Bindi's Choice has worked to the line well in three runs this prep. Comes back a furlong in trip from a wider barrier, but this is a greatly weakened race.
Dangers: 7. Magic Shadow is well placed, and can add value into all exotic plays. Gap to the rest.
How to play it: Bindi's Choice to win
Race 6 SUPER MAIDEN HCP (1100m): |
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Exceedance three-year-old 2. Apex returns as a gelding with an important gear change for only his second start. Stuck on okay into a place on debut at Warwick Farm back in May, but given plenty of time since, and behind two eye-catching and spaced trials, he's primed to reload a different horse.
Dangers: Plenty of those headed by another big trial performer in debutant All Too Hard filly 12. Regimental Colours from the Bjorn Baker stable. Blitzed her rivals in the latest by more than four lengths, easily clocking the fastest time of the session for the 792m, and coming home her last 600m in a slick 32.75 secs. Keep safe resuming home tracker 1. The Grey, having won the second of two trials, and has drawn the inside. Doubt the winner comes from anywhere else, but must include 7. Apollo Ridge at his third start; 8. King Of Dragons resuming off consecutive trial wins; and 11. Heavenfield who has trialled well since disappointing on debut here 26 days ago; in all wider exoitc plays.
How to play it: Apex to win
Race 7 BENCHMARK 68 HCP (1000m): |
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Progressive filly 11. Rantan is well suited to win the closer third-up off a five week freshen. Charged home from last to get within half a length at this track 19 days ago, and while this is a shade tougher, she's on the rise and drops down to the minimum weight.
Dangers: Naturally, last start and dominant Midway Maiden winner, 6. Straand Beauty is a big threat from an ideal draw where he can again roll forward and set the tempo. Over the odds is 5. Mr Rock It who attacked the line impressively here second-up, and gets blinkers back on; while 8. Leave Me Some down sharply in weight; and locally-trained 9. Dark Glitter who draws the inside second-up; are the best of the rest.
How to play it: Rantan to win
BEST BETS:
R2 1. C'MON MATE
R3 1. PHYSICIST
BEST VALUE:
R7 11. RANTAN
All the fields, form and replays for Tuesday's Hawkesbury meeting