Latest News

By Ray Hickson

Tips and race by race preview by Ray Hickson for Thursday’s Hawkesbury meeting. Selections based on a soft to heavy track.

1. Game Theory did it tough but kept coming to break through at start two at Kensington, and shapes as though the extra ground will suit. Placed on a heavy at his debut so track condition no issue. Looks hard to beat.

Dangers: 6. Bartandthequeen is big odds and probably not a winning chance but was placed here on a soft 7 back in June and has a couple of mile starts against his name. 2. Kim Alicia is a bit hard to line up but in the small field certainly won't be conceding the kind of start she did at Ipswich last time. 5. Undoubted finished midfield behind Mo'unga at Newcastle then fair effort at Canberra last time. Could be placed.

How to play it: Game Theory WIN ($1.20 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Game Theory wins at Kensington on August 26

8. Bob is an up and comer who ran out of his skin at $31 behind Reaching at Newcastle second-up. Bred to be okay on a wet track and the extra ground should be right up his alley. Winnable race and he should be in the finish.

Dangers: 2. No Complaints gave a big sight on the pace, as favourite, on a heavy track at Goulburn then even effort back onto a good surface at Newcastle. Likely to go forward here and could take running down. 7. Madame Firetrail has been disappointing at her last couple but did place on a heavy track here three runs ago. 1. I Am Flying is racing well without winning and has a placing on a heavy 10 three runs ago so not the worst here.

How to play it: Bob WIN ($2.10 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: EVENS.

Bob runs third at Newcastle on September 1

5. Disengage has raced handy and boxed on in all three starts this prep, chasing a promising filly over this course last time. Sure to run well again.

Dangers: 4. Adamas Prince hit the line hard late into third at Kembla over 1400m last time and has placed on a heavy track here so the ground shouldn’t concern. He’s one of those horses that could win without surprising and will be around the mark. 2. Destacado was a big drifter in betting at his first run for the new stable but found the line okay and could be an improver. 10. Supertanker had some support first-up at Newcastle but just battled. Previous two runs on soft tracks were sound last prep and blinkers go on. Improver.

How to play it: Disengage WIN ($3.40 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Disengage runs second at Hawkesbury on August 20

4. Invincible Ninja led and weakened on debut back in April but she’s trialling up quite strongly for a return. Stretched out well to win the latest on a good track, small query on a shifty surface but has to be respected.

Dangers: 9. Only Mine showed a bit of promise early though her two starts probably don’t suggest it. She’s another that is trialling quite well, she’ll go forward you’d imagine in the small field and no surprise to see her be competitive. 1. Class Act trialled quite well behind Only Mine in her latest trial, can't get a guide from her race form last prep but could show up.

How to play it: Invincible Ninja WIN ($2.10 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Invincible Ninja wins a trial at Randwick on August 25

3. Betty Blooms is well placed first-up on a wet track at this sort of trip and her latest trial suggests she’s come back in good order. She was very competitive in metro BM70s last time in and she can be expected to take some beating.

Dangers: 6. Obiri is a promising filly and she was only getting warm at the finish as she broke through in a maiden here at start three. She’s the one on the up and it wouldn’t surprise if she continues that rise. Threat. 4. La Tigresa is a dual acceptor, she’s also a last start maiden winner and she did have to fight hard to win as favourite at Newcastle second-up. Competitive in town last prep and is one of the chances if runs here.

How to play it: Betty Blooms WIN ($2.80 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Betty Blooms runs second in a Randwick trial on August 25

3. Military Academy is always competitive in this sort of race especially on his home track. Solid effort at Warwick Farm last week and that followed a game second here at 1300m. Should be very competitive again.

Dangers: 2. Gitan can be hit and miss but his wet track runs of late have been his best so might be worth forgiving him missing a place at Kembla last start. Won two from there here and both have been at this trip. Upset chance. 6. Moon Panther was pretty consistent last time in finishing top three at his first five starts back. Goes well fresh, handles the wet and trialling okay. Each-way show. 1. Get The Idea has ability and his only unplaced efforts were in the Rosehill Guineas and Packer Plate. Can feature.

How to play it: Military Academy WIN ($3.30 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Military Academy runs fourth at Warwick Farm on September 2

2. Total Recall steps up in trip having won twice at a mile either side of an even effort in an 1800m Highway on a heavy track. Lightly raced and the one to beat after the scratchings.

Dangers: 7. Misty Summer has failed three times in town recently but her last two provincial appearances were solid wins on wet tracks. So she's a threat. 7. Hamogany has been a beaten favourite at his last couple in the country. Handles the wet and distance no problem, he has every chance with just two rivals.

How to play it: Total Recall WIN ($1.75 TAB Fixed Odds).

Total Recall wins at Taree on August 21

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