Race day focus: Best bets, inside mail for Hawkesbury

With a solid performance when narrowly beaten at this track last time out, a John O’Shea-trained gelding is poised to go one better. BEST BETS, INSIDE MAIL

John O'Shea trains King Of Naples who looks hard to beat at Hawkesbury on Wednesday. Picture: Getty Images

Daily Telegraph form analyst Matt Jones gives his best bets and runs the rule over every race for Hawkesbury.

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 7, No.6: KING OF NAPLES

He only got beat by a fitter local horse at this track last time. He was still strong through the line and looks ready to go one better this time.

NEXT BEST

Race 4, No.5: MABEL

Her first-up record is good and the stable feel she is a real chance for a top three finish.

VALUE BET

Race 5, No.3: LEMAIRE

Awesome Lad is odds-on in this race but Lemaire was unlucky when just behind him last start in a high quality race and he could easily turn the tables this time.

QUADDIE

Race 5: 1, 3, 5

Race 6: 1, 2, 4, 9

Race 7: 1, 4, 6

Race 8: 2, 3, 5

Regan Bayliss has three rides at Hawkesbury and all are in with winning chances. Picture: Getty Images

JOCKEY TO WATCH

Regan Bayliss only has three rides on Wednesday but Venetian Blue, Sempreinte and Anything Goes can all win.

TRAINER TO WATCH

Mark Newnham places his horses so well and Assiduity and Boomsong take each other on in the seventh race. They could fight out the finish.

THE INSIDE MAIL FOR HAWKESBURY

RACE 1

My Eloise looked the part in her latest barrier trial under Rachel King who has been on her during her two heats this time in. From barrier two, she should get all the favours. She did run a close fourth behind Mars Mission earlier in the year which is good form. Press Forward gets in light and looks to lead here on a quick back up. He’s coming off a good run but has been an outsider in the market. La Sophia is in a new stable now and comes into this off a winning trial. She has a wide gate and probably looks to take a sit here just off the speed.

Bet: My Eloise to win

RACE 2

Venetian Blue gets onto a firmer track now after going well on debut against a winning stablemate and must be on the improve. Glowing Gold ran well behind a decent horse second-up and she must now be peaking. Look for her to swoop late. Exile will improve off a debut third but the winner broke through at its seventh start which is an issue. Nullify won her trial and 1300m fresh looks ideal for her. She’s got a powerhouse stable/jockey combinations behind her.

Bet: Venetian Blue to win

RACE 3

Chipper ran in horrible conditions fresh but went over the line strong enough and should improver off it coming back to the same track. Legio Ten has been running on in his Victoria races as a well backed horse and has come up here looking for a win. He’s well placed here by Godolphin. Joyrider also comes up from Victoria after two decent runs and has trialled nicely for his new trainer. Baranof has been scratched so it makes things easier for the rest.

Bet: Legio Ten to win

Legio Ten (blue) has good Victorian form including a second to Berkeley Square (lime green) Picture: Getty Images

RACE 4

Dalavin has been on fire for a long time now and comes here at the right time after a mishap last start in a good form race. This isn’t out of his reach despite only having country form. You’ve got to respect the fresh record of Mabel who is a 1000m specialist so respect the placement with a claim and very light weight from barrier one. Don Luigi’s was running over 1200m last time in but might like this slightly shorter trip first-up. Smuggler’s Bay isn’t without a hope.

Bet: Mabel to win

RACE 5

Awesome Lad is set to start odds-on following three straight second placings including as runner-up in the $500,000 Four Pillars last start. Last time he came here he won and he doesn’t have too many to beat now. Five Crowns won’t be a pushover and is on a two-race winning streak after defeating Cinque Torri last start. He’s the horse to beat given his form this time in. Lemaire is trained on the track and gets the cushy run from the barrier. You could argue he should’ve beaten Awesome Lad last start after not getting the clearest room in the straight so he’s the value runner here.

Bet: Lemaire to win

RACE 6

Kickatorp looks the leader and should be a lot better for the run last start when second off a long spell. He’s won second-up in the past so look for him to be in this for a long way but may be suspect over the final 100m. Stablemate Sempreinte had excuses last start and has trialled well since so look for him to bounce back with the tongue tie on for the first time. This is easier for Czar after he ran into a smart one last start in town and he should be peaking now over a trip that looks ideal. Zounique might need the run but should finish in the top few.

Bet: Czar to win

Nash Rawiller rides King Of Naples for trainer John O’Shea. Picture: Getty Images

RACE 7

Deep Finesse is a horse on the rise and resumes as a gelding for trainer John Thompson. He should stalk the speed on the fence and finish strongly. King Of Naples only got beat by a decent local horse at this track three weeks ago. He wasn’t weakening on the line so he’s going to be hard to hold out. The same can be said about Assiduity who will benefit from a run and be right on the speed as a fitter horse. Stablemate Boomsong resumes with the blinkers off and he looks forward for this.

Bet: King Of Naples to win

RACE 8

Anythink Goes got to a Queensland Derby last prep and drops in grade but also trip which is interesting. Class is on his side. Oh Golly Gosh won first-up last time in off one trial and that’s the set up again on her home track. She’ll be flashing late from off the speed. The same can be said for Sing A Love Song who didn’t get much room late first-up at Gosford and the bigger track should help now. I like backing horses after they were held up for a run at their previous start because they weren’t knocked about.

Bet: Sing A Love Song to win

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