Tips and inside mail for Thursday’s meetings at Hawkesbury and Albury

Jett Hatton has found one at huge odds in the last at Hawkesbury on Thursday. BEST BETS, INSIDE MAIL

A Mitch Beer-trained mare can win the last at Hawkesbury. Picture: Jeremy Ng/Getty Images

Form analyst Jett Hatton gives his best bets and race-by-race analysis for Thursday’s meetings at Hawkesbury and Albury.

HAWKESBURY TIPS

BEST BET

Blue Tongue (Race 4, No.3)

Have liked the two trials of Blue Tongue ahead of his second preparation. Gives the impression that he’s a horse which can level up this preparation.

NEXT BEST

Fiddlers Green (Race 5, No.3)

Has shown the ability that would suggest he’s city class. Did start hard in the market last preparation in the MTC Wagga Guineas when fourth behind Invincible Spy.

VALUE BET

So Greysful (Race 8, No.15)

Struck a heavy track at Narrandera last start and was never able to get into the race. She’s trialled good since and can give a sight at a massive price.

QUADDIE

1/ 3, 4

2/ 4, 6, 8, 10

3/ 2, 4, 5, 9

4/ 4, 10, 15

JOCKEY TO FOLLOW

Fresh off winning a Group 1 in New Zealand over the weekend, Josh Parr will look to build the momentum at Hawkesbury and he’s got a nice book of rides.

Josh Parr won at Group 1 level in New Zealand last Saturday. Picture: Jeremy Ng/Getty Images

ALBURY TIPS

BEST BET

Bessie La Belle (Race 4, No.13)

Strong run at start two when she was last seen and it was over this track and distance. Will only improve and she’s got a better set up this time.

NEXT BEST

Desert Opal (Race 3, No.7)

Showed plenty of fight last start at Corowa when he was comfortably headed at the furlong before fighting back and making it interesting.

VALUE BET

Downtown’s Abbey (Race 1, No.3)

Didn’t stay last time out but is back to a mile now. Drawn to get the run of the race as well.

QUADDIE

1/ 3, 4, 13

2/ 3, 4, 7, 9

3/ 1, 2, 5

4/ 4, 6, 8

JOCKEY TO FOLLOW

Blaike McDougall heads to Albury where he rides four horses hard in the market. It would be disappointing if he didn’t ride at least two winners.

HAWKESBURY INSIDE MAIL

RACE 1: 4YO&UP MAIDEN PLATE (1500m)

I Am Wild beat all but the impressive Diddle Dumpling last time out. That horse had just run in stakes company, so to finish a length off her holds some merit. It’s only slight but the extra 100m is sure to help. Doradus was well beaten hat looks much better than provincial grade and from barrier five with Josh Parr on, he should get his chance. Highland Eightgee was well supported not long after markets were posted. Blinkers go off for the first time.

Bet: I Am Wild looks the one to beat.

RACE 2: 4YO & UP MAIDEN HANDICAP (1100m)

Sir Tom is a 23-start maiden but showed a win isn’t far away when coming from last over the 1000m at Muswellbrook. It was a super run and if he does something similar, he’ll go close to breaking through for that elusive victory. Bethsheba is going well. She was caught wide at Muswellbrook two starts back before only being run down late at her next start - notably over this track and trip. Ready To Rocket is from the powerhouse Ciaron Maher stable. Trials haven’t knocked the socks off but the market likes her.

Bet: Sir Tom to win.

RACE 3: SUPER MAIDEN PLATE (1000m)

Shalaa Gold has had three starts for three second placings. To be fair, two of those runner-up finishes were behind two of the best three-year-olds in the country - Emirate and Private Life. Will be fitter for the first-up run and be hard to catch. Blue Illusion started odds on in a Listed race on debut last year. Still yet to break the maiden in six starts but he was good when resuming behind a handy horse in Zealously. Blanc De Noir has impressed at the trials but has no doubt struck a tough race to debut in.

Bet: Shalaa Gold to beat Blue Illusion in a quinella.

RACE 4: MIDWAY MAIDEN HANDICAP (1300m)

Have liked the two trials of Blue Tongue ahead of his second preparation. Gives the impression that he’s a horse which can level up this preparation and the 3kg claim from Maddy Owen certainly helps his first-up chances. Irish Jig is on debut and looks like a horse that will win a few races. Rebel Rhapsody is one to consider at a price. Had excuses first-up and Sara Ryan has taken the blinkers off.

Bet: Blue Tongue to win.

RACE 5: BENCHMARK 68 HANDICAP (1400m)

Fidldlers Green has shown the ability that would suggest he’s city class. Did start hard in the market last preparation in the MTC Wagga Guineas when fourth behind Invincible Spy. Likely to improve off the run but still in the finish regardless. Irish Bliss returned as a winner first-up at Newcastle when he gave nothing else a chance. Has a similar set up here and the extra trip will only aid his winning hopes. Baranof has a good second-up record and also at Hawkesbury.

Bet: Fielders Green to win.

RACE 6: CLASS 1 HANDICAP (1400m)

Godolphin filly Obscure didn’t have a whole lot of luck last time out at Wyong. Might have made things interesting if she got out with enough room and time to wind up down the straight. Jason Collett goes aboard, which is always a positive. Lady Savannah should get all the favours in running from the inside barrier. It was a nice win at Newcastle last time out and she’s got the scope to improve even more. The Deal covered ground last time out at Newcastle. Gets a jockey change with Josh Parr on.

Bet: Obscure to win.

RACE 7: 4YO&UP BENCHMARK 64 HANDICAP (1600m)

The well named Wembanyama returns off a short freshen up. Last seen at Warwick Farm when starting favourite in a race that featured Bullets High. He’s a talented horse and the stable have taken off the blinkers for the first time. Star Legacy comes into this off he back of three straight placings. He’s consistent without winning. Marsabit found it hard to make ground at Canberra last start and that can happen there. Forgive for that effort. Tom Cruising is worth throwing in the quaddie at a juicy price.

Bet: Wembanyama to win.

RACE 8: PROVINCIAL BENCHMARK 64 HANDICAP (1100m)

So Greysful struck a heavy track at Narrandera last start and was never able to get into the race. She’s trialled good since and can give a sight at a massive price. Private Harry looks a promising horse for the Nathan Doyle stable. Trialled super ahead of his debut and it translated to race day when he was able to put more than three lengths on his rivals. Gives the impression that he’s city class. Glassout has barrier one on her home track. Won on debut before featuring in a race that featured star three-year-old Tarpaulin.

Bet: Private Harry is short so back So Greysful to place.

Originally published as Tips and inside mail for Thursday’s meetings at Hawkesbury and Albury