Summary of Best Bets
Best Bet: Race 1 – (10) Rocket Girl
Next Best: Race 4 – (4) Fiorenza
Next Value: Race 2 – (3) La Basilique
Best Roughie: Race 5 – (10) Sheeza Diva
Race by race overview
Race 1
Cracking maiden to kick off proceedings here at Hawkesbury and we should get back to a G4 for race time. I’ve been very impressed with the trials of the well-bred Rocket Girl. She’s been kept quiet in both heats but has made up sharp ground under a tight hold. Maps a treat and keeps McDonald aboard. Extremely Tempted looks to be the main danger, has a smart barrier and has progressed well at the trials. The only knock was the latest trial’s overall time. Priority Park is an intriguing runner, quiet but solid trials leading in and looks to have plenty to give off the bridle. Katoto and Fondness are next best.
Selections:
(10) Rocket Girl
(1) Extremely Tempted
(3) Priority Park
(8) Katoto
Suggested Bet: Rocket Girl WIN
Race 2
Another smart contest with solid enough speed expected up front. I thought La Basilique represented value here. She went out to a spell off the back of a solid win and looks to have furnished beautifully. Loved her recent trials, particularly her work through the line late. Lighthouse Lass has a stack of ability but keeps finding one better. The three-year-old filly should use gate 1 with her race fitness to land up on speed and is the one to gun down. Sapling has done enough at the trials to go in the mix, with the smart booking of Lloyd, but will need a touch of luck from the gate. Admire Me has ability and returns for her second prep. She is another who looks underrated in the market.
Selections:
(3) La Basilique
(7) Lighthouse Lass
(4) Sapling
(8) Admire Me
Suggested Bet: La Basilique WIN
Race 3
Tricky race overall. I’ll lean the way of the well-backed Lontrice. He drops sharply in grade here second up and maps a treat from gate 2. The cherry on top is the booking of Lloyd. Almaaz is another who has tactical speed and McDonald will look to roll forward with the race fitness edge of the filly. She is the danger. Outside of that it looks a very long tail to this race. Jade Sunset and Iron Legend both have race fitness and both map well enough. In the mix.
Selections:
(2) Lontrice
(3) Almaaz
(10) Jade Sunset
(7) Iron Legend
Suggested Bet: No Bet
Race 4
Keen to side with the David Pfieffer-trained Fiorenza fresh. She’s got a lovely first-up profile and looks very well placed in this weak midweek BM72. King takes the ride and is in particularly good form at the minute. She’ll start much shorter. Dead Jewel is the danger, coming out of a strong last-start race at Warwick Farm and having been kept up to the mark at the trials. The knock is staying at 1100m. Madrina is the market and yard watch, first up off a 17-week spell and hasn’t been seen at the trials. Her 0/5 fresh record creates interest. Vinolass can improve sharply second up with the booking of Lloyd in the saddle.
Selections:
(4) Fiorenza
(10) Dead Jewel
(2) Madrina
(3) Vinolass
Suggested Bet: Fiorenza WIN
Race 5
Happy to stick with the class edge here in Rotagilla. He’s been absolutely trucking up in his recent trials and looks ready to explode here first up. Sheeza Diva looks a smart roughie here. She trialled up like a rocket in her sole 1000m hitout. We often see horses spring very sharply off the back of a 2400m-plus prep. Smart use of the 3kg claim and she maps to get a sweet run in transit off the rails. Aligned is the danger but looks very short market-wise, with peak fitness, back to 1300m and a good draw. Spione is next best.
Selections:
(1) Rotagilla
(10) Sheeza Diva
(7) Aligned
(6) Spione
Suggested Bet: Sheeza Diva / Rotagilla EW
Race 6
This race has been decimated by scratchings. I’ll throw Bubbles Up on top off the back of a game enough second-up effort. She peaks fitness-wise now third up, Clark is in the saddle and she maps well. Night Agent brings a smart last-start rating to this event, has a solid inside gate, but does look very short. Bella Khadijah peaks fourth up and should find this slightly easier overall. Smart booking of Jason Collett and she can improve. Chokuto rounds out the numbers and is on market watch.
Selections:
(12) Bubbles Up
(11) Night Agent
(5) Bella Khadijah
(9) Chokuto
Suggested Bet: No Bet
