By Ray Hickson
Selections based on a good track.
Race 1
5. Outer Banks is a full brother to group 1 winner Captivant on debut after a couple of handy trial wins in March. Held Vinrock at bay in the latest and while he may ultimately want a little further from a handy draw has the chance to show something first-up. 4. Chicama debuted in the Golden Gift back in November and was spelled. Won two trials over the shorter trip in March, imagine he pushes forward from the wide gate and gives a good sight. 10. Sylph is another to have had two shorter trials leading into her first outing. In top juvenile stable and should be respected.
How to play it: Outer Banks EACH-WAY
Racing returns to Hawkesbury on Wednesday.Credit: Getty
Race 2
8. Couples Retreat showed some promise last time in with a maiden win here in September and was narrowly beaten by Enriched on debut. Expect she’ll be one of the major players. 1. Useapin has come back in good order and just failed to run Seascape down at Kensington two weeks ago. Won here in October at this trip and is sure to be competitive with the 3kg claim. 3. Insist was well supported and got the job done over 900m at Newcastle first-up. Can only be fitter for it, draws okay and is one of the chances.
How to play it: Couples Retreat WIN
Race 3
7. Full Hao made her debut in what’s proven to be a strong maiden at Kensington a few weeks ago with the runner-up winning out of the race. Ran well there and steps up in trip with a tick over trial in between. 2. Dark Arts had his chance on speed when run down as favourite at Kembla Grange. Was stepping up 300m in trip so could be fitter for it and well worth another chance. 1. Viktor has been thereabouts without winning so far and boxed on okay for third at Kensington two weeks ago when back 100m in distance.
How to play it: Full Hao WIN
Race 4
5. Flying Bandit will need some breaks getting through or around the field from his inside gate, but he showed first-up at Kembla he’s come back in great touch with a close third at 1400m. Good chance. 9. Campaldino has found one better in both runs back and was just outpointed when narrowly denied over this trip at Kensington last time. Rolls forward from the gate and is a big chance to go one better. 14. Monfelicity ran an even race when resuming at 1300m at Rosehill and she’s going to relish getting up in distance. Generally improves second-up.
How to play it: Flying Bandit WIN
Race 5
6. Bear On The Loose resumes at a suitable trip and should get some level of control up on the speed. Was run down at Randwick over the mile fresh last time in but should be hard to reel in here, and any sting out would help his cause. 8. State Of America charged home into a close third when second-up at Kensington two weeks ago and the only negative seems to be coming back 200m into this. Usually when he finds form he holds it so expect him to run well again. 4. Saganti is an interesting runner first-up since his local debut in the Rosehill Cup back in November behind Fawkner Park. Has been gelded and could be dangerous fresh.
How to play it: Bear On The Loose WIN
Race 6
1. Written In Code was strong at the finish winning over 1100m first-up at Kensington and that’s a good sign as she’s much better suited up in distance. Comes in nicely with the claim and has the inside gate this time around. 5. Sydney Bowler is fitter for two runs back from a spell and has the chance to show something like his best. Trialled since his last run at Wyong and has a nice set up to run well. 6. Midnight Dynamite shrugged off a first-up failure at Flemington to run a handy second at Kensington two weeks ago where he was a drifter in betting but hit the line well.
How to play it: Written In Code WIN
Race 7
1. Lonhro’s Queen on top but she will need a bit of luck. Impressive winning fresh on a heavy track at Scone over 1000m and she’s not badly in carrying 0.5kg more after the claim. Has a strong finish on her and if in touch she’ll be hard to hold off. 5. Acappella Sun is an honest mare who doesn’t win out of turn but did notch one at Canberra three back, last time out not disgraced behind Asgarda on a heavy track at Albury. She’ll be around the mark again. 3. Starmae resumes since winning at Wyong in August, and she’s trialled up quite well on two occasions last month. Has drawn out but tends to race forward and has to be included in the chances.
How to play it: Lonhro’s Queen WIN
Race 8
2. Mickey’s Medal is close to a win after placings at both runs since a freshen up. Well supported when just failing to pick them up at Kensington last time, down a notch in class and close to a peak given he’s never won first or second-up. 11. Enter The Dragon hasn’t done a lot wrong in five starts for three wins and led all the way over the 1400m at Kembla a few weeks ago. Has trialled since and sure to be in the finish somewhere. 5. Rush Attack is a consistent type who wasn’t beaten far when midfield in a Midway at Rosehill. From the good gate with the claim he’ll be around the mark.
How to play it: Mickey’s Medal EACH-WAY
Best Bets
Race 5 (6) Bear On The Loose
Race 6 (1) Written In Code
Best value
Raced 8 (2) Mickey’s Medal
