By Ray Hickson
Selections based on a good track.
Race 1 – 1:25PM CONGRATULATIONS ICEBATH 4YO & UP MAIDEN HANDICAP (1100 METRES)
3. My Eloise looks set for a big run first-up on the back of a couple of very nice trials at Warwick Farm recently. Forgive her failure before a spell on a heavy 10, she draws to get a perfect run and she should go close.
Racing returns to the Hawkesbury track on Wednesday.Credit:Getty
Dangers: 7. La Sophia stays under notice after winning that trial over My Eloise back on October 18. Ex-Victorian who wasn’t far off them without figuring in the placings in her five starts. Keep safe. 4. Press Forward tried to lead all the way at Kembla last start but was just cut down on the line. That was on a heavy track, he doesn’t seem too fussed by track conditions and he’ll likely go forward again. Good chance. 9. Misty Dreams started favourite first-up at Newcastle on a heavy track and while safely held in third she did run on well from last. Fitter for that and is one of the main hopes.
How to play it: My Eloise WIN; Trifecta 3/ 4,7,9/4,7,9.
Odds & Evens: Odds.
Race 2 – 2:00PM DE BORTOLI WINES F&M MAIDEN PLATE (1300 METRES)
2. Nullify has had a few chances to break through but this race could set up well for her from the inside barrier. Liked the way she put them away in her trial leading in and a repeat of that sort of effort would see her hard to beat.
Dangers: 8. Venetian Blue made a handy debut at Newcastle on a heavy 10 where she just found a stablemate slightly stronger late. Goes to a good track and has to be open to some improvement. 4. Exile was a solid favourite in betting at her debut at Kembla and she closed off into third without threatening the winner. Onto a good track now and with the run under her belt she’s a likely improver and has to be respected. 1. Calm Down was placed in all four starts last time in and kicking off at 1300m gives her some chance of being in the finish here fresh. Stretched out to a mile in three of those four runs. Keep in mind.
How to play it: Nullify WIN.
Odds & Evens: Evens.
Race 3 – 2:35PM IRRESISTIBLE POOLS & SPAS CG&E MAIDEN PLATE (1300 METRES)
6. Chipper can be excused for his first-up defeat in trying conditions here a couple of weeks ago and he was far from disgraced in running a close fourth. Showed plenty of promise in his first prep with placings behind some smart types and should run well here.
Dangers: 8. Legio Ten was a beaten favourite at Cranbourne last start where he didn’t begin the best but have to say he was a shade disappointing late as he would have finished third in a couple more strides. Did run fourth to Elliptical before that. Entitled to another chance.
7. Joyrider has his first run for the Amanda Turner yard after placings in two starts in SA and Victoria in the winter. Nice trial win leading in, drawn well and commands some respect. 12. Skylight Song led them up and gave a sight when a close second over this course two weeks ago on a heavy track. Drawn wide but goes forward and if he gets any breaks he could take running down.
How to play it: Chipper WIN; trifecta 6/7,8,12/7,8,12.
Odds & Evens: Even.
Race 4 – 3:10PM TAB.COM.AU CONDITIONAL OPEN HANDICAP (1000 METRES)
5. Mabel didn’t appear to love the heavy ground in her two runs in the Provincial-Midway Championships series so forgive those, she kicked off last prep with a couple of easy wins and she cruised around nicely in her recent trial. Expect her to take holding out.
Dangers: 1. Dalavin had won five straight in the country before throwing the rider at the start on Big Dance day at Randwick. Most of his wins have been on rain affected ground but he makes his own luck on the pace and could easily bounce back. 3. One Penny had some mixed form last time in but she loves the 1000m and goes well fresh. Comes into this after an easy trial win at Scone and could measure up.
4. Don Luigi is a consistent type more than cap able of pulling out a cheeky run fresh in a race like this. Yet to win first-up or at 1000m so they are negatives but if they overdo it up front he’ll be strong late.
How to play it: Mabel WIN.
Odds & Evens: Odds.
Race 5 – 3:45PM SKY RACING SUMMER PROVINCIAL SERIES – HEAT 2 – CLASS 5 PLATE (1500 METRES)
5. Awesome Lad is bursting to win a race and has a big chance to convert in the small field. Drops 4kg on his close second in the Four Pillars at Rosehill and this looks no harder. Will roll forward and should be hard to run down.
Dangers: 1. Five Crowns has come back in excellent form and followed an impressive Newcastle win fresh with an Eagle Farm victory a few weeks ago. He’d only have to hold his form to be a major player. 3. Lemaire also comes through the Four Pillars where he finished third as a $31 chance. Another racing in great form at the moment and has genuine claims. 6. Sonic Tycoon was rested after winning over a mile at Gosford in February and it’s interesting that he kicks off again at a similar trip. Trialled in June then again in October so may have had an issue, but can run well fresh.
How to play it: Awesome Lad WIN; Trifecta 5/1,3,6/1,3,6.
Odds & Evens: Odds.
Race 6 – 4:20PM PIONEER SERVICES BENCHMARK 64 HANDICAP (1500 METRES)
5. Duke Of Gordon caught the eye coming from the back first-up at Hawkesbury and if last prep is any guide he’s going to improve off that. Both wins in that prep were at a mile so the extra trip suits and while he may get back again here he should be hard to hold off.
Dangers: 4. Kickatorp tried hard first-up when just touched off at Kembla on a heavy track over 1200m. Quick rise in distance to a trip he hasn’t seen before but fitter and will put himself in the race. Good chance. 3. Recondite was a $41 chance second-up in the same race as Duke Of Gordon and ran quite well to finish fourth, just ahead of that horse. Gate one and Nash Rawiller to ride keep him in the mix here.
9. Czar found himself last at Warwick Farm third-up and didn’t really improve his position much at the finish in an out of character performance. Nothing wrong with his previous form so give another chance.
How to play it: Duke Of Gordon E/W.
Odds & Evens: Split.
Race 7 – 4:55PM XXXX GOLD CLASS 1 HANDICAP (1100 METRES)
6. King Of Naples was an impressive first-up maiden winner here then game in defeat over the same course where he sat wide on the pace and winner gained inside runs. Drawn out but there’s good speed and if he can find some cover he should hit the line strongly.
Dangers: 4. Assiduity started a well backed odds-on favourite when resuming at Gosford and seemingly had his chance after leading. Only beaten a length though and should be fitter, he could be harder to run down this time. 1. Deep Finesse is the query runner. Big winner at his second start at Warwick Farm then failed when up to a BM72. Gelded and hasn’t been exposed in his two trials so keep an eye on the market for a pointer.
2. Boomsong is a speedy type drawn wide so expect he will rush forward even with the blinkers off. Too quick in his recent trial win and should be kept safe.
How to play it: King Of Naples WIN; Trifecta 6/1,2,4/1,2,4.
Odds & Evens: Evens.
Race 8 – 5:30PM BLAKES MARINE MIDWAY BENCHMARK 64 HANDICAP (1300 METRES)
6. Oceans One might have won a maiden on a heavy track here in rainy conditions last time but it looked quite a strong win and a good track doesn’t look to be a negative. Draws well and if he gets any on pace favours there’s no reason he can’t double up.
Dangers: 3. Sing A Love Song did quite a good job first-up at Gosford coming from last and weaving through into a close fifth. He did have gate one there so different task from the wide gate this time but if he can get the right run he’ll be hitting the line again. 1. Anythink Goes was in the market first-up at Kensington and held his ground okay for a midfield finish. Best horse in this race but may be unsuited coming back 100m onto a dry track. Have to respect him though. 9. Proud Image was well supported when breaking the maiden status over this course two weeks ago. That was on a heavy track so has to convert to the dry but lightly raced and could be a factor.
How to play it: Oceans One E/W.
Odds & Evens: Split.
Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au.
