Hawkesbury has a seven-race card on Thursday, starting at 1:50pm (AEDT), with the track rated a Soft 5. Four of the seven races are for maidens, so there are plenty of first-up and debut runners and the market will be a useful guide. Prices below were taken on Wednesday evening and will move.
Van Hoven in Race 3 is our standout bet of the day. Youre Not The King in Race 6 and Brave Xena in Race 7 are the other short-priced runners we like, and Ouragan in Race 4 is our best value play.
Race 1 - Hrc Motel Maiden Handicap (1300m)
Selection: Devil Wings Current odds: $3.40
Devil Wings is a three-year-old by So You Think making his debut for the Hawkes stable, and he has drawn well in barrier 2. First starters from that yard always need respect and he is the early favourite. Stunning Future returns from a 29-week spell and is the main danger if he has improved since a quiet run at Wyong. Billapaloola placed at the trials during his break, and Banner Banner was second over this track last time and is a fair each-way chance.
Selections:
- Devil Wings - $3.40
- Stunning Future - $4.20
- Billapaloola - $5.00
- Banner Banner - $6.00
Race 2 - Ladies Day 7 November Provincial Maiden Plate (1100m)
Selection: Alpha Zeta Current odds: $3.50
Alpha Zeta is back after 26 weeks but was only half a length from winning first-up last preparation at this track, and he has trialled during the break. That fresh record makes him our pick. Excels is the danger after a trial win, and he has a tongue tie on for the first time. Stromatolite was third at Newcastle at his second start and should improve again, while Darn Saga is the each-way roughie.
Selections:
- Alpha Zeta - $3.50
- Excels - $3.30
- Stromatolite - $4.20
- Darn Saga - $8.50
Race 3 - Group 1 Thoroughbreds Maiden Plate (1800m)
Selection: Van Hoven Current odds: $2.10
This is our strongest bet at the meeting. Van Hoven has placed twice from three runs this preparation and only just faded out of it after leading at Kembla Grange last start. He has the speed to get a good spot from barrier 3, and the 1800m should suit. Kawerau has blinkers on for the first time and finishes well, so he is the best place bet. What She’s Having drops in grade after fifth at Newcastle, and Lord Wootton has the inside draw.
Selections:
- Van Hoven - $2.10
- Kawerau - $7.00
- What She’s Having - $8.50
- Lord Wootton - $10.00
Race 4 - Book Your Christmas Raceday Now Midway Class 1 Handicap (1600m)
Selection: Ouragan Current odds: $3.50
Ouragan was beaten narrowly as favourite over this track last start and has placed six times from eight runs this preparation. He has the inside draw and is very consistent, so we think he is better value than the favourite. Switch On won well at Kembla Grange to break his maiden and is the danger at short odds. Ribble Lace has placed in all four runs this time in, and He’s Got Grunt likes some give in the ground.
Selections:
- Ouragan - $3.50
- Switch On - $1.80
- Ribble Lace - $6.00
- He’s Got Grunt - $7.00
Race 5 - Richmond Club Super Maiden Handicap (1000m)
Selection: Lions Eyes Current odds: $4.40
Lions Eyes was just beaten over this track last start after a good debut, and Zac Lloyd stays on. He should be fitter again and gets our vote. Laughing Moons also just missed at Hawkesbury at his only start and is the closest danger. Revolina is a Freedman-trained debutant who ran second in a Rosehill trial and is favourite, so watch the market. Regal is another first starter from a good stable.
Selections:
- Lions Eyes - $4.40
- Laughing Moons - $5.50
- Revolina - $3.40
- Regal - $5.00
Race 6 - Blake’s Marine CG&E Benchmark 64 Handicap (1100m)
Selection: Youre Not The King Current odds: $2.00
Youre Not The King resumes after 24 weeks, but he won first-up by four lengths last preparation and the winkers come off. He looks the one to beat. Alabama Showdown broke his maiden at Goulburn for Joseph Pride and is a big each-way price. Viipuri won his last start at Goulburn and is resuming for a new trainer. Portico placed here last start.
Selections:
- Youre Not The King - $2.00
- Alabama Showdown - $18.00
- Viipuri - $10.00
- Portico - $6.50
Race 7 - St Johns Park Bowling Club F&M Benchmark 64 Handicap (1100m)
Selection: Brave Xena Current odds: $2.00
Brave Xena was just beaten fresh at Randwick and has won second-up before at Nowra. She drops to an easier grade and Claire Ramsbotham’s big claim helps. She is hard to beat. Hellabella has a good second-up record and also drops from metro grade. Excelluna broke her maiden first-up at Newcastle, and Dietrich resumes from the inside gate.
Selections:
- Brave Xena - $2.00
- Hellabella - $5.00
- Excelluna - $6.00
- Dietrich - $6.50
