Selections are based on a soft track.
Race 1 – 1.20PM ARCADIA ENTERTAINMENT MAIDEN HANDICAP (1000 METRES)
1. Evict hasnt had a lot of racing for a four-year-old but lands in a very winnable race first-up. Beaten favourite at Newcastle at his only start last prep but hit the line well there. Won a trial recently and any improvement in the track will be to his advantage. No good thing but expect him to be hard to beat.
Dangers: 5. Magnolia Power hasnt raced since a close-up fourth in a strong maiden at Canterbury in June and while she had her chance the depth was much greater there. Trialled twice and while the latest was only a fair effort shes a threat. 2. Paris In May ran on from the rear at his only start back in February and he might have come on this time in judging by his trial on October 2. Right up on the pace and he went with the winner all the way to the line. Keep safe. 6. Belle Of Clonmel has mixed form from her four runs last time in but shes trialled up strongly winning twice at Warwick Farm. If that horse comes to the races then shes one of the main chances.
How to play it: Evict to win and box 1-2-5 for the quinella.
Back on track: racing returns to Hawkesbury with an eight-race card on Thursday.Credit:AAP
Race 2 – 1.55PM DAILY PRESS HANDICAP (1400 METRES)
1. Show Me The Honey bumped into a handy one at Kembla last start and should appreciate getting back onto at least a soft track. Small query at 1400m but hes been quite consistent without winning this time in and has an on-pace racing style which should see him in the finish again.
Dangers: 4. Neruda was no match for the winner Watchdog at Wyong last start but kept chasing. Led and knocked up at Newcastle before that but otherwise hes been pretty honest all campaign so far. Sure to give a good account. 6. Shouson is an up-and-comer who broke through in quite impressive style at Newcastle when out to 1500m almost a month ago. Not much harder here and it wouldnt surprise at all if he repeated the dose. 7. Chamfer is also coming off an easy maiden win, at this track four weeks ago. Both runs on his home track have been good ones and he has to be considered.
How to play it: Back Show Me The Honey to win.
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Race 3 – 2.35PM COCA-COLA AMATIL 4YO & UP MAIDEN HANDICAP (1300 METRES)
1. Stock Up ran a few nice races last time in without winning including finishing ahead of Youngstar first-up at Rosehill. Obviously shes gone right on with it and hes stuck in maiden grade. Competitive in city maidens last time in and hell have every chance to break through this time if he can reproduce those early efforts.
Dangers: 9. Ladies Gem responded to a freshen-up and drop in distance when a game second at Wyong in a much improved performance on his previous couple. Drawn well and will be right on the pace. Hes entitled to be in the finish on that showing. 3. Wokurna is a very well-bred gelding (Snitzel-Crimson Reign) making a late debut and he bears close watching. Shaken up to win his latest trial and if he has a bit of luck from the outside alley he can show something. 2. Time Of Glory hasnt done a whole lot wrong in five starts, aside from not winning, and was narrowly beaten on debut at this trip. Contested the same trial as Wokurna, running third, and could also show up.
How to play it: Stock Up to win, 1-9 for the quinella.
Race 4 – 3.10PM FOREVER GLEAM PROVINCIAL AND COUNTRY MAIDEN PLATE (1300 METRES)
7. Wild Kingdom was expected to perform much better than he did on debut at Taree back in July, when he was sent out favourite but he could only beat a few home. Given plenty of time and a couple of trials, itll be no surprise to see him improve sharply in a moderate field. Drawn well and if the support is there he will go close.
Dangers: 11. Banjos Voice appears a good each-way chance after two even efforts this time in. Hes obviously showing something because hes been well supported in both runs. Blinkers coming off could be significant as hes led and knocked up in those two starts. Keep in mind. 1. All The Wine is a 28-start maiden so its a little hard to get too keen on him despite a closing second in a feature maiden at Ballarat last time. Safe to say hes had plenty of chances but youd have to throw him into the multiples. 9. Sebring Bay was in the market at her only start a year ago, led and just battled. Must have had a few issues as she trialled in March then not again until September. Might be worth keeping an eye on betting.
How to play it: Wild Kingdom to win, trifecta 7/1,9,11/1,9,11.
Race 5 – 3.45PM BSG BENCHMARK 64 HANDICAP (1100 METRES)
5. Dream I Can doesnt win out of turn but his last couple of provincial starts have been excellent including a win at Gosford and a close second at Hawkesbury. Ignore last start on a heavy 10 at Warwick Farm, hell go forward and give a good sight but any support has to be on an each-way basis.
Dangers: 3. Excelling didnt come up last preparation but he showed enough in his first two starts to suggest he can fare better this time in. Two trials have been sound and he should go forward from the wide gate up onto the pace. Definite chance. 11. Natalia hasnt raced since a comfortable debut win at Kembla back in May where she was a $10 chance. Not sure how that measures up and shell likely go back from the wide gate if the debut is any guide. Has to be respected but might be unders. 8. Wild Five is a big watch first-up for 18 months as he performed very well in three starts after failing in Hong Kong. The trials are hard to read so keep an eye on the betting and follow accordingly.
How to play it: Dream I Can E/W.
Race 6 – 4.20PM HAWKESBURY LIVING MAIDEN PLATE (1500 METRES)
10. Saintly Sunrise looks to have more upside than most in this race and he improved nicely into his second start for a close fourth at Kembla. An extra 100m looks to be in his favour and a soft track is no concern. If there is any improvement left this time in then he will be very hard to beat.
Dangers: 3. Merican contested the same race as Saintly Sunrise and finished second – given he ran past his rival he deserves respect in this. The set-up from the barriers could be different this time as hes drawn out and will likely go back again. Still, the main danger. 6. Kaffka has been hard to follow but could be back on track after a closing second at Cessnock second-up from a break. Not any harder here so is an each-way chance. 5. Frascati Miss did little on debut at Wyong when in the market but perhaps a bigger track and a bit more ground will spark some improvement. No surprise to see her a lot more competitive.
How to play it: Saintly Sunrise to win, quinella 3-10.
Race 7 – 4.55PM RICHMOND CLUB GROUP FILLIES AND MARES CLASS 1 HANDICAP (1400 METRES)
Happy to stick with 7. Segalas which bumped into a smart one on debut but wasnt disgraced then led all the way to a comfortable maiden win at Wyong. Shes drawn to be right on the pace again and while up in grade most of her rivals have had plenty of chances. Will take plenty of beating.
Dangers: 9. DOro Rain was also a dominant maiden winner at her second start, smashing her rivals at Goulburn a couple of weeks ago. Sat on the speed there and was never in danger. Like Segalas she has plenty of upside and should measure up. 3. Cuban Sizzle has been very consistent without winning this time in and made it four placings on end with a narrow defeat over 1300m at Newcastle. Hard to leave her out of the chances. 1. Via Veneto managed to win on debut at this trip and she has shown some middle distance promise since then. Wet track would be no worry and shes fitter for one trial. Will improve on whatever she does but well worth considering.
How to play it: Quinella 7-9.
Race 8 – 5.30pm LIVAMOL CLASS 2 HANDICAP (1800 METRES)
1. Godunov should be just about ready to win after two starts back and while beaten as a big drifter at Wyong second-up he wasnt beaten far and appears to be looking for more ground. Both his wins have come at Hawkesbury and it would be no surprise to see him make it three from three.
Dangers: 4. Knight Star has the blinkers on here after a sound second over 2100m at this track a month ago. While the slight drop in trip is probably not in his favour he should run well and be finishing his race off strongly. 7. Mohican is the likely leader and hes battled on to hold placings at his last three starts including on a heavy 10 at Warwick Farm last time. Much easier here and if left alone could take catching. 5. On Angels Wings charged home from last to score over this course in a much improved performance about four weeks ago. Whether he can repeat that remains to be seen but worth including.
How to play it: Godunov to win, trifecta 1/4,5,7/4,5,7.
Supplied by Racing NSW.
