Race day focus: Best bets, inside mail for Hawkesbury
A Brad Widdup-trained gelding got no favours on debut but has drawn a better gate this time and looks the horse to beat. BEST BETS, INSIDE MAIL
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Daily Telegraph form analyst Matt Jones gives his best bets and runs the rule over every race for Hawkesbury.
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HAWKESBURY
BEST BET
Race 3, No.3: FUDAI
He got handed a wide gate for his debut run but still ran very well at Newcastle at his only run last time in. He’s drawn much better now on his home track and looks ready to fire.
NEXT BEST
Race 7, No.1: TOCOMAH
The 1000m is a touch short of his best but he should be able to take a sit and really let down off a hot speed. He’s in fine form and put the writing on the wall last start.
VALUE BET
Race 6, No.1: CABOTEUR
He’s first-up over 1600m but don’t underestimate him or his trainer David Payne’s placement.
QUADDIE
Race 5: 4, 5, 6, 7
Race 6: 1, 3, 7, 9
Race 7: 1, 3, 4, 9
Race 8: 2, 5, 6, 10
JOCKEY TO WATCH
Brenton Avdulla has got some good rides but he’s also been handed a few awkward draws so his riding is going to be key in all four races he’s riding in.
TRAINER TO WATCH
Local trainer Brad Widdup has placed the likes of Fudai, Tambourine Man and Phearson well in their events.
THE INSIDE MAIL FOR HAWKESBURY
RACE 1
Edge Of Reward probably has to take a sit from a wide gate here due to the short run to the first turn. He didn’t get any luck when having to go way back as an odds on favourite first-up when making a long run to just get pipped by a good enough horse. Lady Gold was ridden quiet in her trial and cruised in behind them and she probably too has to take a sit from an awkward draw but she looks to have returned a better horse and Kathy O’Hara knows her very well. So You Battle can make a bright start to her career here off good trial form while Headstock should enjoy getting off a heavy track and can be handy here with some of the fancies drawn out.
Bet: Headstock to win
RACE 2
Baranof races well fresh and has run in better races than this so he’s placed well but needs luck from an awkward draw. He can sit off them and Brenton Avdulla is on after trialling him both times this prep. Going by his barrier trial, debutant Wrathful might be ridden cold from a wide gate and look to storm home like he did in his heat. Kahawaty got run down first-up at Canterbury but that should prove to be a fair form race so she can bounce back down in grade from a decent enough barrier. Bionic looks to have returned a better horse for prep two.
Bet: Kahawaty to win
RACE 3
Fudai has drawn much better now after getting the visitors gate at Newcastle on debut when he was forced to get going a long way out but still ran on well for second. He should get more favours now first-up on his home track. Vincenzo finished off his latest trial in nice style and the blinkers are going straight on for his debut from an awkward draw. The tactics will be interesting. Desert Spring was too bad to be true on debut and must be an improver from a leading stable.
Bet: Fudai to win
RACE 4
Kazou bolted in her latest barrier trial which is unusual for a Chris Waller-trained horse so she must be nice and forward and ready for a bright debut. Stablemate I Am Real also looked the part at the trials and has drawn a little better. Red Card will be a huge chance if she gets a run. Let’s Try will use barrier one to try and lead them here. Melissa looks like a nice type who is well placed here and just needs some luck from the wide gate.
Bet: Melissa each way
RACE 5
Hendo’s Magic will take his time coming across the field from the wide gate and could even sit outside the leader. He outlasted Vanbari over 1800m here four weeks ago but that horse has a 1.5kg pull at the weights now so don’t be surprised if the result is reversed. Twice On Sunday has been brought back to an easier race after fading last start when things didn’t pan out in the run so look for a better result here. Bak Da Man is looking for 2000m now after getting back and running on over a mile last time.
Bet: Bak Da Man to win
RACE 6
Satness has been more consistent than anything in this race but he just can’t buy a win. On paper, it’s hard to think he can’t win this except for the fact he’s only won once from 17 starts. The stable insists he’s not just going around with them and not trying to put his nose in front. Veteran White Boots could easily beat these on a quick back up if he brings his best. Don’t underestimate Cabateur first-up over a mile but he still might need the run. Singapura wasn’t beaten far in town by a Stakes-class horse last start but was sent out at $101.
Bet: Cabateur to win
RACE 7
Tocomah put the writing on the wall last start here when he ran second and strode straight past London. They meet again but I can’t see the tables being turned even though London is a slightly better price. We’re starting to run out of excuses with him but they’re backing him again. Hey Little Sister won on debut at Gosford before being put away. She only ran sixth in her latest barrier trial but a stack of Group-standard horses finished in front. Enzina won her maiden with a bit in hand so look for her to go through the grades.
Bet: Tocomah to win
RACE 8
Phearson is racing on his home track again and has been consistent in lesser grade. He won like his starting price suggested he would here last start but it was only a maiden for four-year-olds and up. Duke Of Gordon showed plenty of promise last time in and is well placed here to make a bright start to his prep off fair trial form. The 1400m fresh does look good though. Sempreinte has drawn awkward but has the gate speed to come across them and he really takes improvement out of a first-up run.
Bet: Duke Of Gordon to win
Originally published as Race day focus: Best bets, inside mail for Hawkesbury
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