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By Ray Hickson

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

8. Oxidization has the form on the board to say she’s the horse to beat and has the chance to break through. Close third to Palurien then held on okay in a strong form race here last time. Ready for this trip again and no excuses.

Dangers: 6. Mission Phoenix is on debut and there’s been a bit to like about his three trials leading in. Pushed along a bit but found nicely in his win two trials back then wasn’t asked to chase Spaceboy in the latest. Blinkers on for race day. Keep safe. 4. War Cabinet had a nice run behind the speed and just held his ground first-up for two months here a couple of weeks ago. Fitter and up in trip with blinkers on so worth another chance. 5. Balladeer ran a solid race on debut at Canberra then led and while no match for the winner only faded the last 100m or so at Kembla. Could be an improver.

How to play it: Oxidization WIN ($2.40 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: EVENS.

Oxidization runs third at Hawkesbury on October 24

7. Rose Of Savannah took a while to post her first win but seemed to appreciate stepping up in trip as she finished strongly to score at Scone. Up in trip again, drawn to get a trail and should hit the line well.

Dangers: 2. Test Of War is the likely leader and he managed to hold them off over this course last start in the same class. Has the claim to bring him in well at the weights and he will give a good sight again. 1. Brix rushed home late when resuming at Newcastle then back 50m and just fair behind Jazzland. Up in trip suits, up in weight a query but down in class. Has a case. 4. Everard worked home without threatening first-up at Newcastle but both her wins have come second-up so improvement can be expected. Keep in mind.

How to play it: Rose Of Savannah WIN ($4.00 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens:SPLIT.

Rose Of Savannah wins at Scone on October 25

3. Californiafirebird tried hard to lead all the way over 2000m here last start but found one better. Down 5kg and should be prominent so could be harder to run down.

Dangers: 1. Plaisir was back to his best with a last to first win at Newcastle at 1890m and he has been placed at the extra trip previously. Generally holds his form when he finds it so consider him a big threat. 2. Jarhead was no match for the winner at this track two weeks ago and it seems his best form is on soft and heavy tracks. Still he staved off a subsequent winner last start so is one of the chances. 6. Weston proved too good winning the Cessnock Cup by a clear margin and this isn't a lot harder. Goes in the mix.

How to play it: Californiafirebird WIN ($2.90 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Californiafirebird runs second at Hawkesbury on October 30

7. Sarah Elizabeth is the key runner here on debut in a very winnable race. She’s had a couple of recent trials and looked good beating a stablemate who has run very well since the trial. Slightly awkward gate but take beating on what she’s shown.

Dangers: 5. Dimitri had some support at odds when resuming at Kembla on a very windy day and he worked home pretty well into fourth there. Fitter and no surprise at all to see him improve. 2. Fortnite hasn’t done anything wrong in two starts though does have a wide gate to contend with here. Winner was too good at Wyong for him second-up but expect he’ll run another honest race. 11. Louder was on debut in the same race as her stablemate Fortnite and was always well back there. Couple of gear changes, drawn nicely and with natural improvement could show a lot more.

How to play it: Sarah Elizabeth WIN ($3.10 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Sarah Elizabeth wins a trial at Wyong on October 23

This is the D-Day of all D-Days for 1. Canyonero who has placed in 11 of his 15 starts and strikes arguably the easiest maiden he has found this time in. Run down by Palurien two starts back then in a close finish behind the handy Sedona at Kembla. Form says yes, it’s now up to him.

Dangers: 2. Jaytees has placed in five of his six starts and while he did race wide in a small field last time at Newcastle it was over 900m and the winner easily accounted for him. Led and reeled in at his previous four starts and drawn wide. Has to be vulnerable but gets another chance. 7. Jewel Of The Crown trialled okay before heading to Nowra and going under as a short-priced favourite. She did blow the start there and has a barrier blanket this time so might be worth giving her another look. 6. Invincible Kiss led them up and boxed on okay without looking likely to hold them off here last time over 1000m. Going well without winning and could be placed again.

How to play it: Canyonero WIN ($2.50 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Canyonero runs third at Kembla Grange on October 26

7. Sky Diamonds reacted well to being ridden on the pace when she raced away to win easy win here last week. Backs up but drawn ideally and while naturally up in class she’d only have to repeat the effort to be right in the finish. Read trainer Gary Portelli's comments here.

Dangers: 4. Winter In America has been just behind the placings in three runs this time in and comes back a notch from her last run at Kembla where she led and held on okay. Each-way claims at least. 2. Shaibanat beat Sky Diamonds at Wyong second-up and the form through her first-up run is pretty sound too. Not sure where she gets to from the outside gate here but on form you have to consider strongly. 1. Highjacker led all the way to his maiden win at start nine at this track two weeks ago and might be on the way up now. Has to be included in the mix.

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

Sky Diamonds wins at Hawkesbury on October 30

6. Taikomochi is worth a look each-way in the feature. He’s a front-runner who always hits form early in his preparation and comes off a trial win that suggested he’s in order. Form around Samadoubt last time in and is a G3 winner. Good chance.

Dangers: 9. Articus ran a huge race in a Cameron at Newcastle where he raced wide then sat outside the lead and faded at Randwick off a month’s break. Well worth another chance. 8. Admire Winner is a big watch first-up. Ex-Japanese trained horse who had issues when he first arrived 18 months ago so hasn’t raced for almost two years. Japanese form was handy, he had a quiet trial last week, drawn well and if there’s any support he could show up. 4. Delectation Girl looked to have the Angst Stakes in her keeping last time but was cut down by Nettoyer. That was her best run since arriving in Australia and she’s drawn to have every chance to repeat it.

How to play it: Taikomochi E/W ($6.50 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT

Taikomochi wins a trial at Wyong on October 23

7. Super Longlea was put away after an impressive maiden win in July and both her trials suggest she’s come back in good order. She’s all upside and wouldn’t surprise to see her pouncing on them late.

Dangers: 5. Destorner won on debut at this track then disappointed in two subsequent starts. Can’t take a lot out of her quiet trial at Warwick Farm recently so be guided by the market support. 4. Lagarde has a consistent record and is yet to miss a place when first-up. Trialled twice in open company and ready to run well again fresh. 2. Skyray wasn’t beaten far first-up in stronger company at Warwick Farm but only ran on without threatening. Fitter for that and this is a class drop for him, with the claim he’s pretty well weighted too. If he can find his best he can be in the finish.

How to play it: Super Longlea E/W ($3.40 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS

Super Longlea wins a trial at Warwick Farm on October 22

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