Hawkesbury best bets, inside mail for Thursday August 1, 2024

A Lee and Cherie Curtis-trained mare has been game in defeat in both starts this campaign and a good draw at Hawkesbury can provide a well-earned win. BEST BETS, INSIDE MAIL

Still Alice can break through for a well-deserved win at Hawkesbury. Picture: Bradley Photos

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

The Form: Complete NSW Racing thoroughbred form, including video replays and all you need to know about every horse, jockey and trainer. Find a winner here!

BEST BET

Race 6 No.3: Still Alice

The Lee and Cherie Curtis-trained mare has been game in defeat without luck in both runs this campaign. Hard to beat from a good draw.

NEXT BEST

Race 8 No.4: Strapparsi

Had solid form in Queensland last campaign. She can kick off this preparation on a winning note.

VALUE BET

Race 7 No.6: Presides

Led all the way for a big win two starts back then slow out when a close third. Can bounce back.

BEST EXOTIC

Quinella Race 6: 1, 6

QUADDIE

Race 5: 3, 5, 9

Race 6: 1, 3

Race 7: 6, 7, 8

Race 8: 4, 9, 11

JOCKEY TO FOLLOW

Tommy Berry has just three rides but all are leading chances.

INSIDE MAIL

RACE 1

Dawn Service pushed up to sit behind the leader and battled away for a safely held third behind Clear Proof and Axius on debut over 1100m the Kensington two weeks ago. He will be better for the run, extra distance looks suitable and the blinkers go on. Jawharat Dubai has been consistent yet frustrating with seven straight minor placings, the last two as an odds-on favourite. Beauty Edge was a handy second at Newcastle last start.

Bet: Dawn Service to win

RACE 2

Literature Tycoon is a debutant by Written Tycoon and a descendant of former top racemare Leica Show. Closed smartly for a close second to Mermaid Cove in her first trial on the Beaumont before an easy second to Spywire at Newcastle. Written Gold is a first starter by Written By. He was doing his best work late when fifth behind debut winner Wings Of Desire in his Rosehill trial on July 12. Northern Eyes chased home a pretty smart one in He’s In Like Flynn when third at Wyong first-up.

Bet: Literature Tycoon to win

RACE 3

Innervisions resumes in a 3YO Maiden after kicking off his career in stakes company. Was third to High Octane in the Blue Diamond Preview before a sixth to Bodyguard in the Prelude. Impressive trial win by five lengths at Rosehill last week. Visual is the first foal of Group 1 mare Alizee by I Am Invincible. Was a little green but extended nicely without pressure to win her Warwick Farm trial on July 15. Floral Legend is a debutant by Deep Field. Was under a hold when third in her Randwick trial on July 19.

Bet: Innervisions to win

RACE 4

Start Line has finished down the track in both runs back but with excuses. Raced wide when down the track to Pure Alpha first-up from a long spell on June 12. Got back and was doing his best work the last 100m behind Amicus Curiae over 1400m at Newcastle. The mile will suit better. Sweet Proposal was a handy third at Warwick Farm second-up and followed up with a third here at Hawkesbury before breaking through with a narrow win at Scone over 1600m. Shadow Express has been good in his last two starts here and will be prominent again.

Bet: Start Line to win

RACE 5

Fakhra was runner-up behind Alcabeel at Newcastle then began awkwardly and settle back early when a close fourth on the Kensington both over 1400m. Gets out to the mile here which will suit her much better. Al Ras Blues settled last and didn’t have a lot of luck when sixth to Cook Island Girl over 1400m at Newcastle two starts back then jumped to 1850m when third to Dalio. Will be strong over the mile. Comic Culture has been just behind the placegetters in both starts to date, the latest a fifth to Zousain Bolt over 1300m at Wyong.

Bet: Fakhra to win

RACE 6

Still Alice was pushed three-wide at the 400m when a close second to Ballet D’Esprit at Kembla first-up then kept out four and five-wide throughout when a length-and-a-quarter fifth to Nightingale here on July 11. Should get a much better run from a good draw. Contrived followed a good trial win with an all-the-way first-up win over this trip at Wyong on July 20. Will be prominent again. Party Doll resumes from a spell without an official trial. Trained here and drawn nicely.

Bet: Still Alice to win

RACE 7

Presides broke his maiden with a big all-the-way win at Scone two starts back. Was slow into stride and settled midfield when a neck third behind True To Form in a Class 1 at Kembla. Will take catching if he leads. House Of Cards kicked off last campaign with a Super Maiden win over 1200m at Kembla before a handy fifth to Sydney Bowler at Randwick and a third to Tavs at Kembla. Trialling nicely ahead of his return. Valiancy drops in grade from her fifth to No Drama in a BM72 at Canterbury.

Bet: Presides each-way

RACE 8

Strapparsi raced Queensland last campaign which included a Doomben win over 1200m and a couple of placings at Doomben and Eagle Farm. Wasn’t pushed in winning her Beaumont trial from Sivka Burka before a fourth to Melody Again in her Scone heat. Lady Shenanigans has had a long campaign but is racing well with two handy seconds behind Kiribati and Titan Star here either side of a sixth to World Alliance at Warwick Farm. Titan Star has also been up a long time but rarely runs a bad race.

Bet: Strapparsi to win