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By Ray Hickson

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

7. Game Royal looked to be outsprinted early in the straight but rallied and closed off well late on debut at Kensington seven weeks ago. Has an extra 150m and you’d expect there would be plenty of upside. Good chance.

Dangers: 8. Dismissal was scratched from Canterbury on Wednesday to run here. Her first-up effort at that track was okay in what might be a handy form race going forward. She finished midfield in the G1 Sires’ in the autumn so this trip holds no fears. Keep in mind. 6. Fields Of Honour improved into his second trial recently and stretched out nicely to win a 1200m heat. Probably goes forward and could run a cheeky race. Check betting. 5. Crosscheck was a drifter in betting first-up at Kembla and looked to have her chance running fourth. Perhaps a firmer track will help her and she’s worth another chance.

How to play it: Game Royal WIN ($3.70 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Game Royal runs fourth at Kensington on July 1

11. Obiri has been competitive in two city maidens so is well placed coming back a notch here and with a freshen up and a trial. Finished off well at Canterbury at her latest start and she should be hard to hold out.

Dangers: 1. Ricky Bobby has only had the one trial and that was at this track back on July 20 so he’s a interesting runner. Not a lot of depth on paper and if there’s any support he could be right in the finish. 10. Disengage raced on the pace and wasn’t beaten all that far for a placing behind Torun here a couple of weeks ago. Certainly no horses of that colt’s promise in this race and she has a case. 9. Disco Diva is now with Brad Widdup and wasn’t asked for a whole lot in winning a trial here a month ago. Drawn well and likely to race on the speed. Worth including in the chances.

How to play it: Obiri WIN ($2.40 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Obiri runs second in a trial at Gosford on August 12

4. Winds Of War looked a winning chance at Canterbury on Wednesday but was scratched for this race. Stays at the 1000m after being outsped at Gosford last time but back to her home track she should have a better chance to wind up.

Dangers: 9. Russbuss showed plenty of speed to lead her Warwick Farm trial and she was eased right down at the finish to win by a couple. Based on that you’d expect her to be up there and is one to keep a close eye on. 2. Princess Betty led and was run down in both starts back in March but beaten less than a length both times. Two trials back, James McDonald to ride, drawn well. Should be competitive. 10. Autumn Falls was never in the race on debut in a strong city maiden in March but she showed a little in her latest trial back. If she continues to improve it wouldn’t surprise to see her run a cheeky race.

How to play it: Winds Of War WIN ($2.90 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Winds Of War runs third at Gosford on July 16

13. Stellar Pauline was a high class two-year-old and she resumes in a maiden with three stakes placings to her name. Her trials have been sound against good opposition and she’s drawn to get her chance to break through. Read trainer Peter Snowden's comments here.

Dangers: 11. Initiation wasn’t asked for anything serious winning her only trial this preparation in good style. In good hands and any support would be significant. 2. Eye See Things started favourite and went forward before being run down by Garrison first-up at Wyong. She’ll be winning a race somewhere soon and is a definite chance. 10. In Flanders was safely held by Torun when resuming here a couple of weeks ago but that horse was a cut above. No easier here and she is a place chance.

How to play it: Stellar Pauline WIN ($1.70 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Stellar Pauline runs fourth in a Kensington trial on August 14

3. Exotic Ruby is an interesting runner resuming for new stable. She won on debut at this track then ran very well behind some smart ones in town for three placings. Two trials have been good and she’s worth a look.

Dangers: 2. Emanate was too bad to be true when finishing near last first-up at Randwick after starting favourite. Back in grade here and a soft track should aid her chances. Should show a lot more here. 4. Chianti looked the goods winning on debut at Warwick Farm in March then not up to it in the Percy Sykes before a spell. Seems to have come up well in her trials and is in the mix. 1. Garrison had the right run and finished his race off strongly to win first-up at Wyong running down Eye See Things. Has always shown something so no surprise if he backs that win up with a good performance here.

How to play it: Exotic Ruby E/W ($4.60 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Exotic Ruby runs third in a Warwick Farm trial on August 7

8. Hubble doesn’t win out of turn but he’s a good each-way chance in a race that might be run to suit him. He gets back and finishes off and he’s put a couple of strong efforts together of late. Will need the breaks but has a show.

Dangers: 4. Tectonicus was always in a striking position and was getting away late when breaking through at Canterbury a couple of weeks ago. Shapes as though more ground will be right up his alley and he’s a threat. 5. Malfy was expected to win second-up at $1.40 and he got the job done overpowering the leader late over a mile at Wyong. This will suit even better and he’s one of the main chances. 10. Olmeto was sent out a hot favourite first-up in a similar race three weeks aho and looked a bit one paced despite leading. Fitter and you’re probably entitled to give him another chance by throwing him in.

How to play it: Hubble E/W ($7.00 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: EVENS.

Hubble runs second at Newcastle on August 13

2. Order Again backs up from running fourth at Randwick on Saturday and lands in a perfect race for him to finally snatch a win this prep. He’s been around the mark all winter and with genuine speed here and gate one there should be no excuses.

Dangers: 8. Spencer has been racing very well through winter without winning and he’ll strike the best track surface he’s seen for a while. Forgive last time, he was a close second to Man Of Peace prior, that horse beat Order Again on Saturday, and is down to 54kg. Upset chance. 4. Savacool is talented on her day and was scratched from Saturday to resume here at a mile. Probably more a second and third-up horse than fresh but will appreciate a truly run race. Keep in mind. 5. Toryjoy has led and been run down at her past two starts over 1800m and fair to say she had every chance in the latest. Back to the trials since that for a win and she will be on the speed as usual. Has to go in the mix.

How to play it: Order Again WIN ($2.50 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: EVENS.

Order Again runs fourth at Randwick on August 15

1. Military Academy never runs a bad race at his home track and he didn’t run a bad race at his last start at Warwick Farm. Beaten narrowly in a similar race to this two back and has to be considered.

Dangers: 3. Rabbit Clause meets Military Academy 2kg worse at the weight for a narrow win in that race and since then he’s been unplaced at Kembla before bouncing back for a sound second there on August 6. Go well. 7. California August was very strong late in breaking through at Canberra. Drawn wide and up in class but capable of getting into the finish. 2. Dresden Green broke his maiden in a good field here back in March last year but has been off the scene since October and gelded. Check betting for a push.

How to play it: Military Academy E/W ($7.50 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Military Academy runs second at Hawkesbury on July 2

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