By Ray Hickson
Selections based on a soft to heavy track.
Race 1
2. Bremel was solidly supported at her debut at Warwick Farm and stuck to the task well despite not getting all the favours to run fourth. Brilliant trial winner leading in from the front so drawing out should allow her to cruise across onto the speed and she should be a major player. 9. Sassy Abbey has shown plenty of speed in her recent trials, leading and just finding one better late. Takes on older horses here but she can give a big sight. 8. Tsavo is an interesting runner. He debuted at Moonee Valley back in late December and started $7 but was never in the race. Trialling quite well and if he handles a wet track he can feature.
How to play it: Bremel WIN.
Racing returns to Hawkesbury on Wednesday.Credit: Getty
Race 2
7. Lira has been competitive in both recent trials without being asked the big question to finish off. She’s quite well bred out of a dual stakes winning mare and in the small field will get her chance to make an impact. 2. Matera has trialled twice in this preparation and makes it to the races now with blinkers on. He hasn’t trialled in them so he could be a big improver on what he showed at Randwick a couple of weeks ago. 8. Twinkling Star also carries blinkers first time though she’s raced twice and failed in both on city tracks. Right in the market at Warwick Farm first-up and didn’t hit the line.
How to play it: Lira WIN.
Race 3
6. Veravino has been right around the mark in three runs since a long spell and she was five weeks between runs when she loomed and was just outgunned at Wyong on Australia Day. Seems to handle all ground and has a good chance to break through. 4. Our Little Star hasn’t raced for a month since she disappointed when right in the market at Kensington, that was on the back of a placing at Warwick Farm on a soft track. She’s now 11 starts without a win but if she runs up to her effort two back she’ll go close. 1. Able Yellow is a curious runner by Justify out of two-time group 1 winner Srikandi. He’s taken some time but his two trials for Blake Ryan have been pleasing enough and he’s the real wild card.
How to play it: Veravino WIN.
Race 4
4. Hurstville Zagreb has taken a number of trials to make it to the track but the way he’s hit the line in his last couple he should relish the 1400m first-up. All trials have been on soft or heavy ground and he’s drawn quite well. Expect him to run a big race. 13. Sensational Wind has promised a bit and will find this easier than her two starts to date. Ran on without threatening first-up at Kensington three weeks ago when a drifter in betting. 18. Queen Strada could be something of a wild card fresh on the back of a trial win at Randwick recently. Very lightly raced for a five-year-old and from the inside it wouldn’t shock to see her lead and give some cheek.
How to play it: Hurstville Zagreb WIN.
Race 5
2. Fortingall was safely held first-up at Newcastle but it was a forgive run, he was trapped wide and unable to take up his usual forward position. Blinkers go on and drawn a bit better he should be a lot more prominent and can bounce back to form. 1. Nomorenightshift has won four of his five starts with his only failure in a Highway back in December. Held them off well enough at Orange a month ago. This will top him off for a Country Championships bid later this month and he should run well. 5. Zarizatycoon will likely also be headed to Orange for that race and he was fourth behind Nomorenightshift before an easy win at Parkes a couple of weeks ago. Another with a handy record and will be expected to be around the mark.
How to play it: Fortingall WIN.
Race 6
2. Just In Time is well placed second-up after an eye-catching and close up fifth at Kensington when resuming from a long spell. Was solid in the market in that race and drops sharply in class. Just has to tick the wet track box and if she does she’ll take beating. 3. Canny Queen improved quickly on her first-up effort to score a strong finishing win at Newcastle last month. A repeat of last effort has her in the conversation. 4. Oh Golly Gosh comes through the same races and she’s been close up in both. Punched through late to run second behind Canny Queen.
How to play it: Just In Time WIN.
Race 7
3. Money Team ran right up to some good support at his first start for the new yard to score a solid win at Wyong last month. Has to do it again up in class but it’s a provincial only race so he’s well placed, has handled all ground in the past and has to be hard to beat. 4. The Pacific was a nice winner at Kembla in December then was a month between runs and started huge odds but charged late to run a close third at Wyong. He’s on the way up and has to be considered. 1. Power Of The Brave led when placed first-up at Kembla before just a fair run at Newcastle. The blinkers go back on and he’s down a notch in class so worth another chance.
How to play it: Money Team WIN.
BEST BETS
Race 1: (2) Bremel
Race 5: (2) Fortingall
Best value:
Race 2: (7) Lira
Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au
