Stand alone Saturdays kick off this weekend at Hawkesbury. A cracking program of racing has been put together with three $150,000 blacktype races, with the main race out of those being the Blacktown Workers Hawkesbury Guineas (1400m). It is hard seeing the Tulloch Lodge runner Landing getting beat after his most impressive win in the South Pacific Classic on Doncaster Day.
Several Brisbane Carnival aspirants will slog it out in the XXXX Gold Hawkesbury Rowley Mile (1600m). Western Symbol is dropping back 400m in distance after a tough, gritty win in the JRA Plate (2000m) at Randwick. His stablemate Fast Clip is backing up after a super performance behind More Joyous in the Doncaster Mile. That pair will prove hard to beat. The Darley Crown (1300m) for the females should be a beauty, with Peter Snowden, as you’d expect, dominating the race number wise.
In saying that, mares such as Miss Marx and More Strawberries could easily win this if they bring their A-game.
Race One: Tab Number One Club Handicap 1200m Form Guide
Back Me: If you can, watch a replay of Shade Of Green’s run last Saturday at Newcastle. Quite simply, she should have bolted in but could not get out until it was all over. I’ll stick with her in a tricky race.
Don’t Back Me: Fox does have the class after a game placing in the Gosford Guineas, but she takes on several tough, seasoned campaigners here and is asked to carry 57.5kg. Could be a risk.
Big Danger: The 2011 Black Opal winner You’re Canny resumes here. He has done nothing since that win, but his latest trial indicates that he might produce something in a very weak race.
Roughie: Country sprinter Spectacular Iam is in cracking form this preparation. They wouldn’t bring it all the way to Hawkesbury for nothing. And put in Cosmo King. He had no luck last start and he looks well placed in this company.
Race Two: Hawkesbury Race Club Motel Inglis Bonus 2YO Handicap 1200m Form Guide
Back Me: Quite impressed by Villa Splendido’s barrier trial win at this track over 760m. Won by over four lengths and ran good time. Has the inside barrier, 52kg, in form jockey/trainer and again, there is not much depth.
Don’t Back Me: Diamond Earth has about 10 lengths on these in terms of class, but 1200m first up is a big ask for her because she can barely run a strong 1000m.
Big Danger: Harada Boy was a drifter on course, but he put them away with a bit of ease at Gosford. He should get a nice run here and cannot be underestimated.
Roughie: Call Me Snow finished third behind the top tip in its barrier trial. It was an ok effort. Joan Pracey is a very good trainer and she will have this filly wound up for a first up win.
Race Three: Blakes Marine Handicap (83) 1400m Form Guide
Back Me: Well this is D-Day for Do You Think. Easiest race he has contested for a long time, firm surface, 1400m, weighted perfectly and should get cover from the barrier. I think he just wins. If he doesn’t, put him in the redbook.
Don’t Back Me: Next The Universe is racing in great heart, but she needs a rain affected track. She won’t get that here.
Big Danger: Sacred Pins, if he gains a start, is the clear second pick given he ran a credible second to Landing at Randwick. He should get the perfect sit from the barrier and be right in contention.
Roughie: Dalika ran out of her skin when resuming after a somewhat disappointing Winter campaign. Goes well second up, at the track and has the ideal gate.
Race Four: Richmond Club Provincial Stayers Championship Final 2250m Form Guide
Back Me: The pull in the weights gives Reuben Percival the nod for me. He tried his heart out at Gosford on Anzac Day but could not hold off Maximus Gladiator. McDondald rides, drops 2.5kg in weight and appears to get a cosy lead.
Don’t Back Me: Adroitly should have done a lot more in the JRA Plate I felt. He had the gun trip out the back and had every right to charge down the outside. He’d want to improve.
Big Danger: Maximus Gladiator had the plum run and was too good for the top tip. He meets the winner 2.5kg worse off at the weights, but still should prove the main threat.
Roughie: Dal Rommel has been in work since the days of Moses, but there hasn’t been an indication yet that he wants the spelling paddock. He did enough in his fresh run on the Kensington track to suggest he could bob up here.
Race Five: The 2012 Darley Crown 1300m Form Guide
Back Me: I’ll declare Parables the best bet of the afternoon. Flashed home at Rosehill behind Title, then bumped into Atantic Jewel in the Sapphire. She worked home well from the back, so the extra journey, as well as the good barrier and a massive drop in grade, should see her just about win.
Don’t Back Me: I was very disappointed with More Strawberries and her first up run in the same race mentioned above with Atlantic Jewel. I would say this is D-Day for her as well.
Big Danger: Ladys Angel ran a super race in the Galaxy after getting well back. Massive drop in class hence the weight rise, but she is racing too well to dismiss.
Roughie: Call me crazy, but I think Grand Impression could run a very cheeky race. She got a long way back when resuming at this track and motored late to finish a close second. Several length rise in grade for her, but she is on the limit and could possibly sit closer to the speed from the inside barrier.
Race Six: XXXX Gold Hawkesbury Rowley Mile 1600m Form Guide
Back Me:The Fast Clip/Western Symbol quinella looks a moral. In terms of backing the winner, perhaps Fast Clip because he might have the turn of foot where it matters.
Don’t Back Me: Wouldn’t go near Raspberries here because the barrier is tricky and she may get the right run, which will be behind the two Waterhouse runners.
Big Danger: The top two should run the quinella. For third, I’d put in Star Of Octagonal. He went super behind Niagara in the Ajax, which was run in a slowly run race. He should get the run of the race.
Roughie: WFA probably wasn’t Mirrasalo’s go in the Epona. Sat in a great spot but didn’t do much. On the mimium here and should run a nice race as she heads towards the Scone and/or Brisbane Carnival/s.
Race Seven: Blacktown Workers Hawkesbury Guineas 1600m Form Guide
Back Me: Landing just wins. Simple as that.
Don’t Back Me: Pied A Terre has class, but the weight, wide barrier and the fact he ran a poor race in the Ajax suggests he is a definite concern for a punter.
Big Danger: Forget Uate went around in the Gosford Guineas due to the fact he does not handle his hooves getting wet. On his best form, he can pose a threat.
Roughie: Famous Seamus should get the drag across thanks to Landing and perhaps kick on for a place. He ran an ok race in a $50,000 Class Four on Anzac Day at Gosford behind Maroney Avenue, who is well above average.
Race Eight: Group GSA Handicap (85) 1200m Form Guide
Back Me: Mental looks well placed here first up. He trialled like a bomb recently at Canterbury and from the gate, he looks hard to beat. Two starts back, he did beat the Gosford Guineas winner Pampelonne. Good enough form for this.
Don’t Back Me: Radar has been racing well of late, but just hasn’t quite put it together. The step up in grade and a tricky barrier makes it hard.
Big Danger: Turf Hero was being hailed as a winner at Randwick but couldn’t hold off the finish of Dee’N’Gee. He looks suited here in an even race to finish off the afternoon.
Roughie: I’m going against my rule of never tipping horses from the Moody camp that are sent to the Sydney satelite stable, but Ben Zena is a nice horse. If he finds an extra half-full length on his last prep form, he can certainly win.
