By Neil Evans
Track Heavy 9 and rail True
Race 1: 1.15pm – 3YO MAIDEN PLATE (1200m)
Very tough opener in these conditions. Improving filly 12. Proud Image has found the line in her last two on heavy ground. That experience, as well as several others naturally unproven in this going, augurs well for this girl to break through fourth-up over a bit further in her first real prep.
Racing returns to the Hawkesbury track on Tuesday.Credit:Getty
Dangers: Sebing filly 9. Gelsey debuts off some progressive work at the trials; while stablemate filly 10. I’m Madeline is by Slipper winner Capitalist, and has been afforded an extra trial. Expecting a much better run in this going at second start from Godolphin filly 11. Lilliput who did nothing on debut in the country; while at big odds, maintain a close watch on 4. Rico Suave who debuts as a gelding in blinkers behind two very easy trials in wet ground.
How to play it: Proud Image to win. Odds and Evens: Split
Race 2 – 1.50pm: MAIDEN HCP (1500m)
The debut run in the country over 1400m of home track three-year-old 7. Flexing was better than the market here suggests. Had previously been given plenty of time at the trials, and any extra ground is a plus being by Group 1-winning NZ sire Xtravagant.
Dangers: Vadamos colt 2. Kazalark will find this easier than a debut field at Rosehill where he still got through the line okay from midfield, and draws to get a soft run here, but still under the odds. Keep safe improving mare 12. Galactic Angel second-up; while 3. Diamond Drummer second-up; 13. Scarlett Shadow also second-up carrying 1kg less; and 14. Supra Marnium third-up; all go in trifecta and first four plays.
How to play it: Flexing each way. Odds and Evens: Split
Race 3 – 2.25pm: CLASS 1 HCP (1500m)
Ultra-promising four-year-old 1. Floating is one of the most exciting restricted gallopers in the country, and a real chip off the old block in his sire and multiple Group winner Puissance de Lune. Was given time and cautiously placed early in his career before returning with a bang over the past seven weeks.
Luckless in a provincial maiden two starts back when making up an extraordinary amount of ground from last before rubber-stamping his ability with a dominant maiden win at Newcastle a fortnight ago. Loves wet tracks, and obviously bred to get much further. While this smaller field probably won’t suit his get-back style, he has far more ability than the rest. Could be a carnival superstar next autumn.
Dangers: Doubt there are any, but 4. Nautical Miss is progressing nicely, and also thrives in rain-affected going; while 3. Gigantic and 5. Dreamdeel can fight out the minor end of the prize.
How to play it: Floating to win. Odds and Evens: Odds
Race 4 – 3.05pm: MAIDEN HCP (1100m)
All aboard smart and resuming No Nay Never three-year-old 1. Chipper who looks ready to rock for a second prep off two progressive trials, winning the latest in dominant fashion on heavy ground.
Dangers: Improving four-year-old 2. Oceans One gets winkers third-up off a long break. Watch the betting on Counterattack mare 3. Counter Move who debuts behind some eye-catching work at the trials. 9. Cassimor drops sharply in weight second-up.
How to play it: Chipper to win. Odds and Evens: Split
Race 5 – 3.40pm: COLTS, GELDINGS & ENTIRES BENCHMARK 64 HCP (1100m)
Same formula again, with another smart one resuming behind two trials ready to strike. Lightly raced Deep Field four-year-old 10. Assiduity has won both lead-up trials, comes to hand quickly and reacts on wet tracks.
Dangers: Promising Kermadec four-year-old 5. Huon is a clear threat resuming for a second prep off two trials and was never out of the money last time, including a dominant front-running maiden win as a hot favourite. Progressive 4. Walkin’talkin’ has been given five weeks via a steady trial after tracking the speed first-up here and driving home best in a similar graded race. Honest 7. Moralist bypassed the Canberra meeting last Friday to be saved for this, and right at home in wet ground. 8. No Statement draws inside with a 3kg claim, and all his best form is on rain-affected ground.
How to play it: Assiduity to win and box exacta 4,5,10. Odds and Evens: Split
Race 6 – 4.20pm: FILLIES & MARES BENCHMARK 64 HCP (1100m)
The girls’ edition is more open and far tougher, although leading the value argument is underrated provincial mare 2. Starboreta who can launch first-up at a big price. Hasn’t raced for five months but comes to hand quickly in these conditions, and looked the part winning a recent heavy track provincial trial. Drawn to get to the middle, and produce a superior finish.
Dangers: Plenty of them headed by 6. Zelady Luck who returns off two forward trials, with blinkers coming off. Keep safe fresh 3. Euphrates Dream who was consistently in and around the money last prep, and has also trialled well. Include in exotics: well-bred 1. All Girls back in class third-up; 7. Deep Expectation first-up behind two trials; and lightly raced filly 11. Laroupe who steps up from an all-the-way maiden victory first-up.
How to play it: Starboreta each way. Odds and Evens: Split
Race 7 – 4.55pm: CLASS 1 HCP (1300m)
Lightly raced Savabeel mare 3. Newley Wed resumes for a second prep, and has plenty of ability. Didn’t always put it together last prep either side of a dominant maiden win at the provincials, but stable was content to tackle deeper metropolitan opposition straight away. Has trialled quietly, and thrives on wet tracks.
Dangers: Progressive colt 8. Surfers Royale comes back to provincial level after fading in a stronger city race. Improving 1. California Surreal has been held back since a fair closing effort first-up in stronger BM 72 metro grade. Gets in very well at the weights back in this grade after the rider’s 3kg claim. Keep safe 2. Chenin resuming off two trials; and progressive filly 7. Optimo Ballerina third-up after being preferred here to Monday’s Beaumont meeting.
How to play it: Newley Wed to win. Odds and Evens: Split
Race 8 – 5.30pm: OPEN HCP (1300m)
Staying at the distance for the closer, and like the value here about provincial five-year-old 4. Da Nang Star second-up off a six-week break. Never got a clear crack at them when resuming, and drops 2kg for this.
Dangers: Tough mare 7. Irish Kisses has been close-up in two runs this prep against BM 72 metro opposition, and has more than enough class, although not convinced a low draw will help here late in the day. Tough country four-year-old 2. Xtra Approval is fit and led all the way to win a Rosehill Highway at big odds two starts ago. How to play it: Da Nang Star each way. Odds and Evens: Split
BEST BETS
R3 1. FLOATING
R4 1. CHIPPER
BEST VALUE
R2 7. FLEXING
Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au.
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