Hawkesbury races on Tuesday with eight races, starting at 1:15pm. The track was rated a Soft 5 when tips came out. The first four races are maidens, so the stronger form is in the second half of the card.
Angel Hair in the last is our best bet. Malbork Castle in Race 5 and Superata in Race 6 are the next most confident plays. Qayed in the opener is a fair each-way price, but the early maidens are hard to trust, so keep stakes small there.
Race 1 - HRC Motel Maiden Handicap (1100m)
Selection: Qayed Current odds: $6.00
Qayed resumes after 18 weeks but has won a trial at Warwick Farm since his last run, and he drops in grade after racing at Caulfield Heath. That trial win makes him the one to follow fresh. Time To Dance also returns from a break after a third at Newcastle and is a consistent type. Darn Lucky is a first starter with the inside gate, and Laughing Moons wears blinkers for the first time after a seventh here.
Selections:
- Qayed - $6.00
- Time To Dance - $10.00
- Darn Lucky - $7.50
- Laughing Moons - $8.00
Race 2 - 10 Years Of Racing Mates 4yo&up Maiden Handicap (1300m)
Selection: Dwight Current odds: $3.30
Dwight was beaten only a neck at Bathurst on a soft track last start, so the wet ground suits, and he has been improving with each run. He should be on the speed. Romancastle is the clear danger for Ciaron Maher after a half-length second at Goulburn when resuming, also on a soft track. There is little between the top two. Arantu is a first starter from a strong stable, and Strike A Pose returns with a trial win.
Selections:
- Dwight - $3.30
- Romancastle - $4.20
- Arantu - $5.50
- Strike A Pose - $8.00
Race 3 - A Little Connection Goes A Long Way Provincial Maiden Plate (1500m)
Selection: Classic Two Current odds: $4.60
Classic Two has placed five times in 10 runs this preparation and ran second at Kembla Grange last start. A maiden this weak is a good chance to finally win one. Victor The Warrior is the favourite after a fourth at Newcastle in his first run and should improve. Waking Resources was disappointing last start but can roll forward. Show Me The Monet is a long-priced debutant with the inside draw, worth a small saver.
Selections:
- Classic Two - $4.60
- Victor The Warrior - $3.20
- Waking Resources - $5.50
- Show Me The Monet - $26.00
Race 4 - Let’s Talk Maiden Plate (1800m)
Selection: Markos Port Current odds: $3.00
Markos Port has placed in all three of his starts, most recently a close third at Warwick Farm, and he comes from a stable that places its horses well. He gets the nod as the most reliable runner. Rye Manhattan is the main danger after running second at Newcastle first up. Vision In A Dream has placed at every start this preparation for Peter Snowden, and Gold Cup should be fitter for his first-up fourth at Newcastle.
Selections:
- Markos Port - $3.00
- Rye Manhattan - $4.20
- Vision In A Dream - $5.00
- Gold Cup - $8.00
Race 5 - St Johns Park Bowling Club Midway Benchmark 64 Handicap (1800m)
Selection: Malbork Castle Current odds: $3.70
Malbork Castle only just missed here last start and has won twice at Hawkesbury before. He is the favourite for good reason and is one of our better bets on the card. He’s Got Grunt is the danger after winning here last start, and he also has multiple wins at the track. Federal Reserve drops back in class after a ninth at Rosehill. Bearings has won two of four starts on soft ground and is worth a small each-way bet.
Selections:
- Malbork Castle - $3.70
- He’s Got Grunt - $4.60
- Federal Reserve - $5.50
- Bearings - $11.00
Race 6 - You Are Not Alone CG&E Benchmark 64 Handicap (1400m)
Selection: Superata Current odds: $3.50
Superata gets the inside draw and won at Nowra two runs back. We are happy to forgive his ninth at Kembla Grange last start, and he has a strong finish. Duke Of Arrakis drops out of metro company after racing at Rosehill and is the main danger. Chappy placed at Te Aroha second up and comes from a good stable. Pentagon steps up in trip and is the each-way option.
Selections:
- Superata - $3.50
- Duke Of Arrakis - $3.70
- Chappy - $5.50
- Pentagon - $10.00
Race 7 - Racing Mates BBQ At Hawkesbury F&M Benchmark 64 Handicap (1400m)
Selection: Mayleigh Current odds: $3.30
Mayleigh won at Kembla Grange this preparation and has placed in every other run, so she brings the most consistent form. She has drawn the inside gate. Alabama Charm is a strong danger after winning at Canberra last start, and the blinkers come off. Ouragan has placed seven times in nine runs this preparation, and Monkhana has won twice here and drops in grade.
Selections:
- Mayleigh - $3.30
- Alabama Charm - $4.60
- Ouragan - $6.50
- Monkhana - $5.50
Race 8 - It’s Ok Not To Be Ok Class 1 Handicap (1100m)
Selection: Angel Hair Current odds: $2.50
Angel Hair won here last start to break her maiden and has won at Hawkesbury before. The step up to Class 1 is harder, but she has the speed to get a good position, and she is our best bet of the day. Scuro Star is the main danger after starting her career well and trialling at Randwick. Captivating Tycoon placed at Kembla Grange and will run on late. Miss Scandal is the value runner. Low Down has been scratched.
Selections:
- Angel Hair - $2.50
- Scuro Star - $5.00
- Captivating Tycoon - $10.00
- Miss Scandal - $5.00
