Hawkesbury best bets, inside mail for Thursday, February 20, 2025

The Gary Portelli-trained Sumo Star was a stylish winner the last time he ventured to Hawkesbury and he looks well placed to record another victory. BEST BETS, INSIDE MAIL

Sumo Star returns to Hawkesbury chasing another win. Picture: Bradley Photos

Racenet and The Daily Telegraph form analyst Adam Sherry provides his best bets and race-by-race analysis at Hawkesbury on Thursday.

•PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet’s team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW!

■■■■■

BEST BET

Race 5 No.5: Sumo Star

Scored a good win here first-up this prep and well placed to land another.

NEXT BEST

Race 2 No.7: Willie Oppa

Battled away for fourth in a metro Super Maiden first-up. Extra distance suits.

VALUE BET

Race 7 No.8: Rapt

Impressive Midway winner two starts back then unsuited by slow tempo last start.

BEST EXOTIC

Quinella Race 8: 5, 7

QUADDIE

Race 5: 5, 8

Race 6: 2, 3, 4, 7

Race 7: 2, 3, 8, 9

Race 8: 5, 7

JOCKEY TO FOLLOW

Tim Clark has a nice book of rides and should pick up consistent points in the TAB Jockey Challenge.

INSIDE MAIL

RACE 1: CLASS 1 HANDICAP – HEAT OF THE RISING STAR (1000m)

Royal Commodore was narrowly beaten by Turf Fever on debut at Port Macquarie on Dec 29. Went to the Kensington 17 days later and rand down Blanc De Noir after sitting three-wide. Peace Centre tracked the speed and won smartly on debut at the Sunshine Coast before finishing down the track contesting stakes races at his next two starts. Has ben gelded and was good when third in his recent Warwick Farm trial. Maikrow miss the start by two lengths when a nose second at Canberra first-up.

BET: Royal Commodore to win

RACE 2: SUPER MAIDEN PLATE (1400m)

Willie Oppa settled down second last and was ridden along three-wide around the turn when fourth to Spaceballs over 1200m first-up in a Super Maiden at Warwick Farm. Back to provincial grade and suited stepping up in trip. Patissier is a first starter by Proisir from the family of 10-time Group 1 winner, Mufhasa. Did his best work late when fourth in his two barrier trials. Watch betting. Supreme Statement will be improved by his first-up run at Warwick Farm.

BET: Willie Oppa to win

RACE 3: MAIDEN HANDICAP (1000m)

The Fort resumed from a lengthy break with a solid neck third behind Rocket Boosters at Werribee after racing back and wide. Drawn to get a nice run and charge home. Indecisive resumes off a handy trial win at Kembla on Feb 10. Placed twice from seven starts including a second to Mergeila over 1250m at Canterbury last campaign and was behind the placegetters a couple of times. Rare Moon was checked at the start and raced keenly when fifth at Muswellbrook first-up. Will be improved by the run.

BET: The Fort to win

RACE 4: MIDWAY 3YO MAIDEN HANDICAP (1300m)

Wal’s Me Mate is knocking on the door for his maiden win and gets his chance here. Kicked off the prep with a half-length second behind King Of Dragons on the Kensington before a third to Spaceballs and Conchiero at Warwick Farm. While She Can is a debutant by Hallowed Crown and is a half-sister to stakes winner Jojo Was A Man. Given a nice hitout to win her recent Kembla trial. Inspired Star will take improvement from his debut fifth to Listins Lass at Scone.

BET: Wal’s Me Mate to win

RACE 5: CG&E BENCHMARK 64 HANDICAP (1300m)

Sumo Star started his campaign with a win here from Missile Seeker and Lady Shenanigans who have both win since. Wasn’t far away despite being unplaced at his next three in Midways in town before a length third to Enter The Dragon at Kembla. Well placed to win again. Royal Bombadier has placed three of his last five including a third to Private Harry here in November and a second to Another Fortune at Kembla last start. Power Beau has won his last three in country grade.

BET: Sumo Star to win

RACE 6: F&M BENCHMARK 64 HANDICAP (1300m)

Red Hot Lizzie was a good third behind Manuscript at Canterbury on Jan 1 but didn’t get much luck when sixth at her next two starts on the Kensington and at Warwick Farm. Can bounce back here. Impulsivity ran on well from last to finish third behind Husk at Warwick Farm on Jan 8. Was a nose third to Opal Fields at her only run here when resuming. Races well fresh. Mahogany Girl is a talented mare back from a let-up after a tough win here on Dec 15.

BET: Red Hot Lizzie to win

RACE 7: PROVINCIAL-MIDWAY CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFIER (1400m)

Rapt was a good fourth in a Listed race at Eagle Farm first-up before an impressive win in a 1600m Randwick Midway on Dec 21. Came from last in a slowly run race in the Magic Millions The Wave over 1800m at the Sunshine Coast on Jan 4. Freshened for the drop back to 1400m and will be charging home. Magnatear scored a well deserved win in a Midway at Wyong and backed it up with another at Randwick. Good chance to bring up at hat-trick. Harlow Mist is coming off a second to Oh Diamond Lil in a Midway.

BET: Rapt each-way

RACE 8: BENCHMARK 64 HANDICAP (2000m)

Vieste comes out of a Randwick Midway when third behind Oh Diamond Lil and Harlow Mist. Has won over 1850m and looks ready to handle the step up to 2000m. Sunset Park was narrowly beaten by Hoo Haa on debut at Newcastle over 1300m before leading all the way over 1600m at Kembla. Looks quite progressive. Gulf Of Tomini ran on from last for fifth under 57.5kg in a BM70 over 2200m at Doomben last start. Drops in grade and well in with 53.5kg after the claim.

BET: Vieste to win

Originally published as Hawkesbury best bets, inside mail for Thursday, February 20, 2025