Race-by-race preview and tips for Hawkesbury on Thursday
By John Schell
(Selections based on a soft track)
Race 1 - 12:30PM HAPPY HORSES’ BIRTHDAY MAIDEN HANDICAP (1300 METRES)
5. Dawn Service was given a good grounding for his debut with a couple of trials late last year and earlier this year. He then returned with another two runner-up trial performances at Randwick before debuting with a third on the Kensington track there a couple of weeks ago. Looks to have his share of ability.
Racing returns to Wyong on Thursday.Credit: Phil Carrick
Dangers: 6. Imposing Pier debuted with a solid fourth on the Kensington track and can figure here with a repeat of that. 12. Sugarfire resumed from a spell with a seventh at Kembla Grange and should be improved by that hitout. 3. Rathunas wasn’t disgraced at Kembla Grange when resuming and is far from the worst in this.
How to play it: Dawn Service to win.
Race 2 - 1:05PM HRC MOTEL MIDWAY MAIDEN HANDICAP (1300 METRES)
3. Spacetime Legend is on debut here and had two trials earlier in the year and he ran well in the second of them when finishing third in a Randwick heat. He has since returned and while he was down the track in another Randwick trial he wasn’t beaten too far.
Dangers: 1. Northern Eyes was placed in three city starts late last year then wasn’t disgraced when unplaced behind subsequent city winner Invader Zim at Rosehill and then being spelled. He resumed with a fourth at Wyong and is not out of this. 10. Literature Tycoon has had two trials to prepare for this race debut and she’s been placed in each of them which is encouraging. Du Cap was a last start fourth at Wyong and has place claims in this.
How to play it: Spacetime Legend each-way.
Race 3 - 1:40PM NSW JOCKEYS ASSOCIATION 3YO MAIDEN PLATE (1000 METRES)
12. Visual is an impeccably bred Godolphin filly on debut being by I Am Invincible and out of Alizee. She had a quiet trial early in July before coming out to win her second trial in good style at Warwick Farm. She looks to have plenty of potential and can start her career as a winner.
Dangers: 3. Innervisions had two starts in good grade at Caulfield earlier in the year and has had two trials to prepare for this return to racing. He looks primed to give a bold showing. 4. Johnny The Kid was placed on debut at Warwick Farm then was midfield in the Pago Pago before being spelled. He’s had two good trials leading into this resuming run. 7. Aeliana has had two trials to prepare for this debut and looks ready to run boldly.
How to play it: Visual to win.
Race 4 - 2:20PM JOCKEYS CELEBRATION DAY CLASS 1 HANDICAP (1600 METRES)
4. Sweet Proposal was placed at Warwick Farm and this track before scoring at Scone last time out in a good effort.
Dangers: 6. Pacific Warrior hit the line well enough when resuming at big odds at Newcastle. 1. Start Line showed improvement when second-up from a spell and can go better here. 3. Shadow Express has been racing well with a win and a second of late and should run well here.
How to play it: Sweet Proposal to win.
Race 5 - 2:55PM PIONEER SERVICES SUPER MAIDEN PLATE (1600 METRES)
5. Fakhra has been placed in six of her nine starts and she’s been close-up in both runs back from a spell with a second at Newcastle and a fourth on the Kensington track. This looks suitable.
Dangers: 9. Comic Culture debuted with a solid fifth at Scone and then followed that up with another fifth at Wyong when not beaten far. He looks to have the talent to be able to figure in the finish here. 10. War Ribbon was safely held when debuting at this track but resumes from a spell here and may have returned a better horse with the benefit of experience. 3. Al Ras Blues has been placed in two of her nine starts including a last start effort at Newcastle. She could be placed again here.
How to play it: Fakhra to win.
Race 6 - 3:35PM BLAKES MARINE CLASS 1 HANDICAP (1000 METRES)
5. Party Doll finished second at this track back in May when running a good race. She since failed to beat a runner home on a heavy 10 at Newcastle but can be forgiven for that performance.
Dangers: 3. Still Alice went down narrowly when resuming with a second at Kembla Grange and then backed that up with a close-up fifth at this track after leading. She has the ability to give cheek in this. 1. Contrived resumed from a spell with a solid victory at Wyong when leading and has claims again based on that. 7. Are Ee Que won well at Goulburn two starts ago then ran well enough when fifth at Wyong last time out to be rated as at least a place chance here.
How to play it: Party Doll to win.
Race 7 - 4:10PM LANDER TOYOTA BENCHMARK 64 HANDICAP (1300 METRES)
6. Presides justified odds-on favouritism to score at Scone two starts ago, and then ran well without winning when third at Kembla Grange last time out. He looks to have the talent to give this a shake.
Dangers: 7. Valiancy was midfield at Canterbury at her latest start and can lift enough on that to be rated a chance here. 8. House Of Cards was placed at Kembla Grange in January and has won a trial leading into this resuming run having been a late scratching from an event at this track in late June after placing up in the gates. 2. I Am Mamwaazel hit the line well when second at Kembla Grange at his latest outing and warrants place thought on that effort.
How to play it: Presides to win.
Race 8 - 4:45PM CLARENDON TAVERN PROVINCIAL BENCHMARK 68 HANDICAP (1100 METRES)
11. Titan Star races well at this track and was a winner here two starts ago before being claimed late when a last start second here. He should give plenty of cheek again.
Dangers: 5. Troika has had two starts back from a spell and hasn’t been disgraced in either despite missing a place both times. He is talented at best and could show up here without surprising. 4. Strapparsi has a consistent record and resumes from a spell on the back of two solid trials. 12. Zavaboom hasn’t been far away of late without being placed and he could make an impact here.
How to play it: Titan Star each-way.
Best Bets: Race 1 (5) Dawn Service; Race 3 (12) Visual.
Best Value: Race 2 (3) Spacetime Legend.
Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au
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