Hawkesbury best bets, inside mail for Thursday, July 3, 2025

Form analyst Adam Sherry provides his best bets, value selection and race-by-race analysis at Hawkesbury on Thursday.

Adam Sherry previews Hawkesbury Thursday

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

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HAWKESBURY TIPS

BEST BET

Race 8 No.5: UNUSUAL PROSPECT

Scored a nice win first-up. Hard to go past again.

NEXT BEST

Race 5 No.1: ALOYSIUS

Will take improvement from his debut fourth on the Kensington.

VALUE BET

Race 2 No.3: MELANITE

Resumes as a gelding off two very impressive trial wins.

BEST EXOTIC

Quinella: Race 8: 5, 10

QUADDIE

Race 5: 1, 14

Race 6: 1, 5, 6

Race 7: 2, 3, 8

Race 8: 5, 10

JOCKEY TO FOLLOW

TOMMY BERRY has four rides all with strong chances.

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HAWKESBURY INSIDE MAIL

RACE 1: MIDWAY 3YO&UP MAIDEN HANDICAP (1000m)

ALL SAINTS (2) had to be checked and lost momentum near the 150m when sixth to Celerity first-up over this track and distance. Was beaten a nose by Ghielmi on debut at Kembla back in February. STRAANDSTORM (9) worked home okay for a length-and-a-half fourth to Cloud Of Dust when resuming at Goulburn. Will take improvement from the run. MR ANTARES (1) is a first starter by Churchill. Sat second and kept under a hold to the line when runner-up to Miss Trentino in his Canterbury trial on June 23.

BET: ALL SAINTS to win.

RACE 2: 2YO MAIDEN HANDICAP (1000m)

MELANITE (3) was fifth in the Canonbury and eighth in the Pierro in his two runs. Has been gelded and very impressive coming from back in the field to win his two recent trials at Hawkesbury and Canterbury. FAIRWAY TO HEAVEN (13) is a debutant by Zoustar. Sat back and wide when third and fourth in her two Randwick trials. Led and kicked away to score by over four lengths in her June 23 Canterbury trial. PYROLYSIS (12) will be improved by her debut third to Just Awesome.

BET: MELANITE each-way.

RACE 3: PROVINCIAL CLASS 1 HANDICAP (1400m)

CUBAN RAIN (4) raced away to score a smart win on a Heavy 8 at Kembla two starts back. Had a similar run last start and hit the front before finishing fourth on a Good 4. Can atone back on wet ground. BELLA KHADIJAH (1) had strong Queensland form before heading to Sydney and finishing third to Zarrose at Randwick on Aug 10. Only one run last campaign when a length fifth to Idle Flyer on the Kensington. JOHNNY SMASH (3) won on a heavy track at Wyong two starts back.

BET: CUBAN RAIN to win.

RACE 4: SUPER MAIDEN PLATE (1300m)

WA WA WA (6) raced well in his first campaign placings in each of his three runs in metropolitan company including a half-length second to Deal n’ Dash at Rosehill. Will take improvement from his first-up fourth to Glorious Moments at Canterbury. CINSAULT (7) started favourite when third to Glorious Moments in that same race. Handy second to Frosty Girl at Warwick Farm before that. Placed in all seven starts including two on heavy ground. CROSS TASMAN (1) will be better for his debut fourth to Duke Of Arrakis on the Kensington.

BET: WA WA WA to win.

RACE 5: MAIDEN PLATE (1600m)

ALOYSIUS (1) was backed into $3.50 favourite on debut when fourth to Sister Daae on the Kensington on June 11. Will take improvement from the run. ZELJKO (14) hit the barriers on jumping when third to Heesen at Kembla on debut in January. Worked home soundly for second to Sound Banker when resuming over 1300m at Newcastle on June 14. BLACK BUGATTI (2) has had a long campaign but run his best race when a neck second to Malbork Castle over 1800m here last start.

BET: ALOYSIUS to win.

RACE 6: CLASS 1 HANDICAP (1000m)

REGIMENTAL COLOURS (1) ran handy placings in two of her three starts in her first campaign. Kicked off this preparation with a nose win from Celerity at Warwick Farm. Can go back-to-back. DETAIN (6) comes from New Zealand with a win over 1100m at Te Rapa in January. Now with Kris Lees. Wasn’t pushed when a close third to Flame Of Hestia on a Heavy 9 in her Beaumont heat. Made ground when second in her Juen 16 Wyong trial. OUR LITTLE STAR (5) had no luck when fifth at Gosford last start. Races well here.

BET: REGIMENTAL COLOURS to win.

RACE 7: BENCHMARK 68 HANDICAP (1100m)

MAL COUPE (8) followed a close second first with a near five length maiden win on a Heavy 8 over 1100m at Bathurst. Stepped up to provincial grade with a length second to Hawker Hall at Gosford. DUKE OF BRONTE (1) kicked off last campaign with three wins from his first four starts including a one on a Heavy 9 at Moruya and a Randwick Highway. Nice Goulburn trial win after sitting wide. OAKFIELD BADGER (2) drops back from two fourth placings in Rosehill Midways.

BET: MAL COUPE to win.

RACE 8: BENCHMARK 64 HANDICAP (1600m)

UNUSUAL PROSPECT (5) debuted in New Zealand with a close second over 2000m on a Soft 7 then came to Australia and was a head second to Gwendie over 1600m. Returned this campaign with a nice win from The Beast on a Soft 6 at Gosford. Hard to go past again. ALLEGRO MISS (10) won on a Heavy 10 at Newcastle followed by a couple of handy runs on wet ground in Randwick Midways. Was sixth on a Good track at Kembla last start. Will appreciate getting back on the wet. AKKADIAN EMPEROR (1) is a winner at his only run here.

BET: UNUSUAL PROSPECT to win.