Race day focus: Best bets, inside mail for Hawkesbury, Quirindi

A promising three-year-old colt from the Matthew Smith stable can overcome a wide gate and record another win. BEST BETS, INSIDE MAIL

Trainer Matthew Smith sends Surfers Royale back to Hawkesbury on Thursday in search of another win. Picture: Getty Images

Daily Telegraph form analyst Matt Jones gives his best bets and runs the rule over the Quaddie legs at Hawkesbury and Quirindi.

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!

HAWKESBURY

BEST BET

Race 8, No.9: SURFERS ROYALE

The Matthew Smith-trained colt has been super consistent to kick off his career and if he can control this race from the front, he will be very hard to run down.

NEXT BEST

Race 6, No.7: MONASTERY

He had excuses in a much stronger race last start and comes here third-up ready to run his best which is good enough to win at this level.

QUADDIE

Race 5: 1, 3, 7

Race 6: 2, 3, 4, 7

Race 7: 2, 3, 5, 6

Race 8: 3, 7, 9

Josh Parr has some good rides at Hawkesbury who should put him in the winners’ circle. Picture: Getty Images

JOCKEY TO WATCH

Josh Parr’s four rides can deliver him success with Silver City looking to be his standout ride along with Chenin and Wild Irish Rover.

QUIRINDI

BEST BET

Race 5, No.3: MOORABINDA MICK

I think he can turn the tables on Second Half after he had to be used up early than ideal last start. He has solid form around Tidal Rush.

TRAINER TO WATCH

Cameron Crockett has a competitive little team arriving here with Pyramid Of Fire, Shamalie and Titration looking like big chances with even luck.

THE INSIDE MAIL FOR HAWKESBURY

RACE 5

Chenin was scratched from a stronger race on Wednesday. Didn’t get the easiest run in transit the start before when fresh then fading late. She’s won at this track from her only attempt and had got to Group racing already. With Thinking Rain an unlikely starter, she’s the one to beat. Opito Ballerina carries 3.5kg less than the topweight which obviously helps over 1500m. She’ll race handy and may even lead over this trip as a very fit horse. John O’Shea has put the blinkers on Tavi L’amour for the first time and brings her back to the only circuit she’s had success on.

Bet: Chenin to win

RACE 6

Monastery drops back from a Group 2 race when running sixth and pulling up 2/5 lame so there was excuses. He is ready to peak third-up so it looks like a nice race for him. Kingdom Of Gold was well supported to win at Wyong and got the job done. He looked like he would enjoy a bigger track more and he gets that now. There were a series of big defeats before that win though. White Boots likes racing at Hawkesbury and a Good 4 track is to his liking.

Bet: Monastery to win

Jason Collett rides Monastery for trainer David Payne at Hawkesbury. Picture: Getty Images

RACE 7

Silver City is racing in an in-form stable and the grey is shooting for three-straight wins. He will grind away to the line and they’ll have to be strong to defeat him. All Machiavellian is here to try and get a confidence boosting win. He has the ability but will the desire be there? Flying Sultan should look to jump and come across the field before the first bend as he tries to protect his unbeaten second-up record and he likes firm tracks. Retiro held off Our Belle Fille two back and it’s since come out and won and he ran close behind eventual Stakes performer Roots early this year so at $20 he might be overs.

Bet: Retiro each way

RACE 8

Altivo came from a near impossible spot to win on debut at Newcastle and he should be even better over 1500m second-up with the same jockey on from a cushy draw. Surfers Royale hasn’t missed a top three finish to date because of his toughness and on-speed style which takes bad luck out of the equation. He should be leading once again and be in it for a long way. Duke Of Buckingham just got pipped late here last time and is on a quicker back up now.

Bet: Surfers Royale to win

THE INSIDE MAIL FOR QUIRINDI

RACE 4

Shamalie is going well enough to win this race but has been given an awkward draw so luck is needed early for her to take up a position and not get trapped wide in the run. With a touch of luck, she’s in the finish. Arliebel has also drawn out but will likely be ridden cold and look to come at them with a run late like she did in winning last week. The confidence of that breakthrough win could see her go on with it. Sensational Reward should lead or box seat from the inside gate and comes to Moree trainer Peter Sinclair from Adelaide with a good fresh record.

Bet: Shamalie to win

RACE 5

This race looks very competitive. Second Half beat home Moorabinda Mick last start over a mile at Scone. Moorabinda Mick was let loose early and held on well for second so I can see him reversing that result now if the speed in more genuine. Maly Malt comes into this now that she’s back on a heavy track but Eva’s Deel, who beat her home last start, isn’t as good on wet ground. Danspur has had 58 runs but only two on heavy tracks for one placing. He’s bred to swim but they have avoided wet ground with him.

Bet: Moorabinda Mick to win

Jockey Aaron Bullock partners Moorabinda Mick at Quirindi. Picture: AAP Image

RACE 6

The Affirmative doesn’t have a flash record on paper but has turned the corner under new trainer Craig Clegg and she won his maiden two back on heavy ground so that might be the key again. Inferno Miss always seems to run well without winning while Lavish Lady is a chance to bounce back if she gets more control in front. Can Lan Kwai Fong win over 1000m considering her best distance is over a mile and further?

Bet: The Affirmative to win

RACE 7

Cheval De Course probably looks to lead this and is well placed after two good runs in nice enough races including a debut win at Newcastle on a Heavy 8 before fading late second-up. Look for a bounce back. Titration will put himself into this race and is fourth-up now so with some luck early he’s in with a chance. Shaolin Temple resumes without a barrier trial which is what happened last time in and he won. His latest run last prep was a nice enough one in a Highway race in town and a wet track shouldn’t worry him.

Bet: Shaolin Temple to win

Originally published as Race day focus: Best bets, inside mail for Hawkesbury, Quirindi