Race-by-race preview and tips for Hawkesbury on Tuesday
By Neil Evans
Selections based on a soft track
Race 1 MAIDEN PLATE (1500m)
3. Princess Rayaa has continued to improve creeping up in distances this prep and is ready to peak fourth up. Like she’s done in her last couple against deeper opposition, should park right behind the speed with cover and be given her head from the 400m.
Racing returns to Hawkesbury on Tuesday.Credit: Getty
Dangers: Two Chris Waller-trained runners can mount a challenge. 1. Gago worked home nicely resuming in that same provincial race as the top selection when backed from $4.80 into $3.90. Stablemate 2. Yet He Moves resumes for his third start off a strong city trial win and gets first use of the inside. 8. Supreme Command steps up in trip fourth up having beaten all bar the winner in his last two.
How to play it: Princess Rayaa to win and quinella 1 and 3.
Race 2 MAIDEN HCP (1100m)
Back to the maiden sprint trip, and this could prove to be a handy form reference. Like Winning Rupert mare 3. Struff resuming for only her second start. Has won both lead-up trials narrowly on soft 5 ground, although was ridden out through traffic to claim the latest, but this is a weakened affair with one of the main rivals coming out.
Dangers: Keep safe 9. Just Gisella also first-up for just her second start with gear changes behind two improving trials, while debutante Zoustar mare 4. Alvina’s Luck heads the rest.
How to play it: Struff to win.
Race 3 4YO & UP MAIDEN PLATE (1300m)
4. Crazy Russian is well placed to hit the ground running off a four-month spell. Continually found the line through last prep in deeper provincial races up to 1500m, and off a quiet trial he can launch fresh here.
Dangers: Peaking fourth-up, progressive 7. Prince Of Wales gets blinkers added. Improving 2. Avonview was sound on debut when finishing off well at Kembla, but under the set weight conditions and drawn wide is under the odds. 3. Charlie Foxtrot second up over more ground, and 11. Harper’s Siren third up from a soft draw with winkers added can run into the minor money.
How to play it: Crazy Russian to win.
Race 4 CLASS 1 HCP (1500m)
On an 11-day back-up, metro four-year-old 5. Reggie’s Folly can improve significantly after hitting the line late in a similar graded race at Newcastle.
Dangers: A last-start provincial maiden winner over the mile, 1. Dancemania is also at peak fitness fifth-up, and gets a charmed run behind the speed. Gap to the rest headed by 3. Marvelous who drops in weight off a fair effort at country level.
How to play it: Reggie’s Folly to win.
Race 5 MIDWAY BENCHMARK 64 HCP (1800m)
7. Nautical Miss gets her chance here from the inside draw over a furlong further. Has been just behind the placegetters all prep in races with generally more depth. Can sit closer from this gate and be saved for one last surge.
Dangers: 5. Celestial Fury chased home dominant winner Satness second up in that same race as the top selection, and desperate now for more ground. 6. Kozluca did it tough well back from a wide barrier in that Kembla race but better suited here over further and back on home track. 1. Jack Duggan and 8. Nyota, both third up and also coming out of that same form line, can run into the money and pump value into exotic bets.
How to play it: Nautical Miss to win.
Race 6 CLASS 1 HCP (1300m)
Lightly raced provincial three-year-old 5. Broadway Bouncer can make it two straight this prep over 100m further. Was heavily backed before finishing best to win a handy maiden fresh, and carrying a kilo less here from the same draw, he’s ready to take the next step.
Dangers: Provincial mare 4. Never Sorry was a certainty beaten second-up at Newcastle on that same day when badly held up and checked in the straight. Still picked up and found the line, and gets a nice 2.5kg weight drop. 1. Lady Harlem and 9. Bully For You, both improving second-up, go into exotic plays.
How to play it: Broadway Bouncer to win.
Race 7 CLASS 1 HCP (1100m
Like progressive metro mare 4. Elegant Empress to pounce third up from an ideal trailing draw. Boxed on from the front in a tougher metro race when resuming before tracking the speed and finishing well enough at Gosford against similar opposition.
Dangers: Big market watch on stablemate 1. Glacier Queen returning off a long absenceafter two progressive trials, winning the latest, and has plenty of ability. Keep safe 7. Los Padres second-up. 9. Clovelly gets an economical run from the inside draw second up. 3. Sunzou also improves second-up.
How to play it: Elegant Empress to win
BEST BETS: Race 3 (4) CRAZY RUSSIAN; Race 7 (4) ELEGANT EMPRESS
BEST VALUE: Race 5 (7) NAUTICAL MISS
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au
Sports news, results and expert commentary. Sign up for our Sport newsletter.