Hawkesbury racing form and free tips, Wednesday January 25
THERE is plenty of racing to choose from this Wednesday, but it’s always special when Hawkesbury hosts a meeting and the punters always jump on board.
Hawkesbury hosts a seven-race card which has attracted even betting fields and punters can take full advantage of the quality thoroughbreds on show.
The day starts with the McDonald’s Garton Group Handicap which features only a small field, but the fields pick up throughout the day and it’s a great day for a punt.
Race 1 – McDonald’s Garton Group R72 (1600m)
Paragon didn’t fire when fresh up last start at Warwick Farm, but it’s better over the longer distances and the small field should suit. The John Sargent-trained stayer has placed at this distance and twice on this track, which bodes well against a field which doesn’t include any superstars. The inside draw will allow it a soft run throughout and we’re expecting a cheeky effort for the five-year-old.
Charming Lad has been knocking on the door after back-to-back placings. The Jason Coyle-trained gelding finished third at Canberra in December before backing that up with a second placing at Kembla Grange earlier this month. It has won on this track and jockey Adam Hyeronimus is riding in top form currently. Gets a weight advantage on the majority of the field.
Race 1 tip: Paragon to win at WilliamHill.com.au
Race 2 – Lucy Heyes Memorial Maiden (1100m)
Team Hawkes line up Storm Force which looked solid in two starts last preparation. The three-year-old colt by Fastnet Rock finished second on debut behind Gadfly on a rain-affected track before running a distant third behind the talented Glenall at Canterbury in August. It should find this much easier and based on its connections and an inside draw, it shouldn’t stay in maiden grades for too much longer.
Gloriette is a John O’Shea-trained filly which has shown glimpses of good form. The well-bred filly by Lonhro ran on well behind Scarlet Rain in the Sweet Embrace at Randwick before running third in the St. Albans Stakes at Moonee Valley behind Zamzam. It needed the resuming run last start when fifth at Canterbury and it will get all favours from the inside draw with Tim Clark in the saddle.
Race 2 tip: Gloriette to win at Palmerbet.com.au
Race 3 – Goodfellow Sports C2 Handicap (1000m)
Absolute Ripper is a country-trained mare which produced a good effort last start. The Alison Smith-trained four-year-old finished second behind Isla Tristana in the Highway Handicap at Rosehill and it was a well-backed runner in the field of nine. Its start prior was a five-length romp on its home track at Orange and if it can produce something similar to that, it could figure in the finish with the inside draw and only 54.5kg on its back.
Admit is a locally-trained mare which has a good record on this track. The Richard Nutman-trained mare has won two from four at Hawkesbury, which came at its last two starts before being sent for a spell. The daughter of Bon Hoffa has plenty of natural speed and although it has yet to race over this distance, it should be able to adapt well to these conditions.
Race 3 tip: Absolute Ripper to win at CrownBet.com.au
Race 4 – Richmond Marketplace Maiden Handicap (1100m)
Anne’s Gift has had 12 starts for only three placings, but two of those placings came on this track. The five-year-old gelding has placed twice from five starts at Hawkesbury and it wasn’t far behind the winner last start at Kembla Grange. Apprentice jockey Blaike McDougall takes 2kg off its back which could bring it into contention at nice odds.
Garbhan is a three-year-old gelding which has faced some stiff opposition to date. The Mitch Newman-trained gelding ran seventh behind the talented Mediterranean on debut at Canterbury before battling on well at Hawkesbury and at Beaumont since. All three starts have come on a rain-affected track and with overcast conditions expected, it should suit the son of Casino Price.
Race 4 tip: Garbhan to place at Sportsbet.com.au
Race 5 – Eather Group Maiden Plate (1500m)
Bright Lights Baby hasn’t been able to show its best in two starts this campaign, but it has ability. The Chris Waller-trained filly finished ninth at Canterbury last start, but it should find this easier and its form prior included placings behind the likes of Malaise and Purrari. It gets a good draw to jump from which should see it settle closer to the pace and it could take advantage of that.
America couldn’t have been more disappointing on debut at Hawkesbury when it was defeated as the odds-on favourite. The Gerald Ryan-trained colt ran as the $1.90 favourite, but it couldn’t muster anything in the straight and dropped out to run six lengths behind the winner. The well-bred son of Choisir x. Alinghi has a big following and punters should expect shorts odds here, but a better showing.
Race 5 tip: America to win at Palmerbet.com.au
Race 6 – Richmond Club C1 Handicap (1400m)
Marrock is having its fourth career run and it looks to have plenty of potential. The Mitch Newman-trained gelding won on debut at Hawkesbury before disappointing when rising up in grade at Randwick. It quickly bounced back to form with a last start placing at Kembla Grange and it should be able to find a nice position in the field from barrier seven. It looks a nice each way chance to remain unbeaten on this track.
All In Rhythm is a consistent type which ran well for second last start. The three-year-old gelding finished only a neck behind Dinky Di Dora at Gosford and the form out of that race should stand up well at this level. Its form prior included some close-up finishes and the son of More Than Ready looks set for another strong showing.
Race 6 tip: Marrock to win at CrownBet.com.au
Race 7 – Ronald McDonald House R60 Handicap (1800m)
Von Braun has won only two from 21 starts, but the addition of Deanne Panya in the saddle should help. The Warwick Farm-based gelding gets down to 52.5kg with Payna riding and she will likely send the gelding forward where it could dictate the pace. Both wins came at this distance and it’s not without a chance at each way odds.
Crimson Halo broke through for its maiden win last start and it hasn’t found a tough assignment here. The David Payne-trained gelding is rarely far away from the action and the penny might have dropped after its win at Goulburn. It gets the inside draw for this and it should prove tough to beat. Expecting bookmakers to open it as the favourite.
Race 7 tip: Crimson Halo to win at Sportsbet.com.au