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By Ray Hickson

Tips and race by race preview by Ray Hickson for Friday’s twilight meeting at Hawkesbury. Selections based on a good track.

3. He’s Imposing appears to have come back a better horse this time in and should appreciate the step up to a mile. He wound up gradually first-up at Kembla and made his run with the winner over 1300m, going down a neck. He produced the fastest last 600m of the race in 34.49 (Punters Intel). Raced a bit handier around this distance range last time in and should be hard to beat.

Dangers: 5. Nivelle raced on the speed at this track last time and had his chance, boxing on for third. Not really any harder here so he’s entitled to another chance. 9. Tantalus is the big query runners from the Chris Waller stable. She’s finished last in both her trials but they have been over 900m whereas this is a 1600m race so not sure they are a great guide. Betting will tell more of the story. 1. Dashing Special is a 21 start maiden but he racked up his 10th placing when filling third at Canterbury at last week’s night meeting. At peak now third-up so you never know, he could break through.

How to play it: He’s Imposing WIN ($3.30 TAB Fixed Odds).

He’s Imposing runs on from the back first-up at Kembla Grange on November 6

Quite keen on 2. Bare Naked Lady who showed a heap of ability in her first campaign in the autumn. Brilliant winning from a wide gate during the Scone carnival and not disgraced in Brisbane running fourth at her latest start. No public trials and blinkers off but drawn one and Tim Clark is back on and in good form. Clearly on top.

Dangers: 1. Lancaster Bomber won first-up last time in on a heavy track then beaten a couple of lengths by Osorno at Warwick Farm in July. Trialled against Saturday class horses at Warwick Farm recently and fared okay. Keep in mind. 5. Black Magnum was given a solid hitout in winning a trial at the Farm a couple of weeks ago and returns as a gelding here. Best form so far has been on the synthetic at Canberra but wouldn’t surprise to see him run well. 8. Snip ‘N’ Stare created a good impression winning on debut over 900m at Newcastle, sprinting sharply when clear late. Drawn well and while up in class she looks to have upside and is well worth including in the chances.

How to play it: Bare Naked Lady WIN ($2.30 TAB Fixed Odds).

Bare Naked Lady bolts in at Scone in May

Betting will tell us a lot about this race with a couple of interesting first starters. 2. A Million Dreams trialled a couple of times in the winter then returned with a nice second at Warwick Farm two weeks back, held together on a soft track. Nicely drawn and if she’s solid in the market she can be expected to feature.

Dangers: 11. Princess Siri has trialled a few times over the last 12 months but this time in she showed something with a close second in a Gosford trial, once she could have won easily if desired. Also drawn well for her debut and she bears close watching. 7. Carnina started favourite when resuming at Kembla on a heavy 9 and she may not have been all that happy in it despite a close third there. Fitter and with blinkers on she’s definitely worth respecting. 5. Pauper has the blinkers on after his first first-up effort when supported at odds at this track two weeks ago. Could be an improver.

How to play it: A Million Dreams E/W ($7.50 TAB Fixed Odds)

A Million Dreams runs second in a trial at Warwick Farm on November 9

8. Deliya might have found a winnable race for her debut. She’s taken a bit of time to make to the track and her latest trial, a fourth at Randwick, was her best which is a positive sign. She made plenty of ground from well back in the trial and kicking off at 1300m gives her a chance if she’s looking for a bit further. Worth a look each-way.

Dangers: 12. Pellicle did nothing on debut back in July on a heavy track and that’s worth ignoring. Being by Sepoy she’ll appreciate dry ground and blinkers go on here. Latest trial was only fair but pay to keep safe. 7. Checksum had a perfect run at her only start at Newcastle over 1200m and loomed up before struggling to go with them late. Fitter for that and she could easily improve. 5. Valarian drifted in the betting first-up at Goulburn when a battling third after sitting on the speed. Will be up there again from an inside gate and might be able to snare another placing, though it’s not a strong event so he’s not without some hope.

How to play it: Deliya E/W ($9.00 TAB Fixed Odds).

Deliya makes late ground to run fourth in a Randwick trial on October 30

13. Celosia wasn’t disgraced when first-up at Hawkesbury a couple of weeks ago, finishing just behind the placings after getting a long way back at 1100m. Expect her to be a little closer up in distance and with the run under the belt she can be harder to hold out. Good chance.

Dangers: 12. Polhampton contested the same race as Celosia last start, second-up for her, and she probably should have finished half a length closer if not for a wayward one in front of her. Small query on the extra distance but close to a win in this sort of race. 10. Lexi’s Choice gave a huge sight first-up behind Wild Kingdom here before putting in an ordinary one over this course last Wednesday. She’ll be among the leaders and could turn it around if afforded some favours. 3. Bid To Fame is a bit hard to read with some easy trials leading into his debut and betting might be a good guide. Still, he’s from the strong Lees stable and Tommy Berry rides so it wouldn’t shock at all to see him fire up on race day.

How to play it: Celosia WIN ($4.80 TAB Fixed Odds).

Celosia runs fifth first-up at Hawkesbury on November 8

7. Commentator is a lightly raced staying type who hasn’t yet put it all together but it’d be a surprise if he doesn’t go close in this field. Ran on late at Canterbury then up to 2000m at this track he tried very hard behind a pair with a bit more tactical speed than him. Bigger field and hopefully a bit more tempo can see him finish over the top.

Dangers: 5. Captain’s Legend is getting close to a win with a pair of nice seconds at Newcastle of late. Stretches out in trip here and is one of the main chances. 6. Front View ran third in the same race last start, a big drifter in betting but he hit the line pretty well late there. Has run well around this trip previously and is in the mix. 10. Time To Rethink has been disappointing to date but showed some improvement at her last couple finishing a couple of lengths off the winner on both occasions. Bred to appreciate the trip and she has a chance to perform.

How to play it: Commentator WIN ($2.00 TAB Fixed Odds).

Commentator’s close up third at Hawkesbury on November 14

9. Showminder was heavily supported first-up and went down by the bob of the head at Kembla over 1300m. Extra ground is no concern and this is probably a slight class drop on the fresh run. With Stock Up coming out he's the one to beat and a very good chance to atone.

Dangers: 5. Gayatri showed some ability in two runs last preparation, winning on debut then a sound second both at Newcastle. Not asked for anything in her trial when running last and she’s one to keep safe despite being eligible for easier. 2. Delfuego can be hard to follow, every chance at Hawkesbury two starts back then never threatened at Kembla on a heavy. Probably forgive that but he still needs to find a length or two to be winning this. Each-way. 4. Celer had been racing consistently before breaking through for a narrow win at Newcastle where he was a surprise leader. Could go on with it.

How to play it: Showminder WIN ($2.80 TAB Fixed Odds).

Stock Up wins easily at Newcastle on November 10

6. Cyber Intervention is worth a look each-way first-up. Debuted with an impressive win around this time last year then went missing in three runs in May and spelled again. Made some ground under no pressure in his second trial this prep and the wide gate isn’t a bad thing for him. Be wary if he’s a big drifter in betting but still expect to see something from him.

Dangers: 4. So Magic appreciated a drop in class second-up when getting the decision over Showminder, who runs in the preceding race, at Kembla. All provincial grade runs have been sound and she’s a good chance again. 3. Lilith ran third in the Kembla race after hitting the front about 250m out. Rarely runs a bad one and while the extra 100m is a bit of a query with her she’s too honest to be overlooking. 7. Appetizing enjoyed a good preparation in the late autumn/winter period and opened that campaign with a handy second placing. Fitter for two trials and shouldn’t be too far away at the finish fresh.

How to play it: Cyber Intervention E/W ($16 TAB Fixed Odds).

Cyber Intervention sneaks up on the inside in his Warwick Farm trial on November 9

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