Hawkesbury racing preview & best bets | Thursday, May 18
| What | Hawkesbury Races |
| Where | Hawkesbury Race Club – 1 Racecourse Rd, Clarendon NSW 2756 |
| When | Thursday, May 18, 2023 |
| First Race | 12:15pm AEST |
Racing heads to the Hawkesbury on Thursday afternoon for an ultra-competitive eight-race program. At the time of writing, the track is listed as a Soft 5 for race-day; however, with a favourable forecast for racegoers, we’re expecting an upgrade into the Good range prior to the opening race. The rail is in the true position the entire circuit, meaning we’ll be looking for gallopers prominent on their respective speed maps. The first race is set to kick things off at 12:15pm AEST.
Best Bet at Hawkesbury: Fourth Spargo
It’s been 119 days since Fourth Spargo won at her debut start and we’re excited to see her return on Thursday afternoon. Her win at Wyong on January 18 was sensational, seeing this daughter of Bon Hoffa make every post a winner over the 1000m. She went on to score by 2.2 lengths and was put away by trainer Gabrielle Ellis, sighting that she suspected her three-year-old had plenty of upside. She returns now in the winter months search for a second victory to add on the resume – and this Class 1 at Hawkesbury looks like an ideal assignment to do just that. Her barrier trial at Canterbury on May 5 was that of a filly coming back in terrific order, and with an exemplary run expected from barrier five, Fourth Spargo will be very hard to beat on Thursday.
Best Bet
Race 6 – 
#3 Fourth Spargo (5)
3yo Filly | T: Gabrielle Ellis | J: Jay Ford (57kg)
Next Best at Hawkesbury: Eau De Vie
We’ll be looking to the penultimate race on the Hawkesbury program to find Eau De Vie returning to the track after a freshen up. She ran in the Group 3 Adrian Knox Stakes on April 1 and simply didn’t handle the conditions when dropping out to finish 6.1 lengths away from the eventual winner. Her maiden victory prior to that at Kembla Grange on March 10 was a solid front-running performance, and we’re of the opinion the Richard & Will Freedman camp will give instructions to adopt similar tactics. Her jump-out since saw her finish second behind Group 1 winner Converge, so that’s a good guide to how well she’s travelling heading into this Class 1 affair. Jason Collett takes the reins here and we expect him to lead on Eau De Vie, giving followers a massive sight turning for home. She’ll have some nice types chasing her home – but we think she’ll prove too strong late.
Next Best
Race 7 – 
#5 Eau De Vie (1)
3yo Filly | T: Richard & Will Freedman | J: Jason Collett (58kg)
Best Value at Hawkesbury: Fleet Commander
Fleet Commander is a European import from the Aiden O’Brien yard and has now joined Bjorn Baker here in Australia. He couldn’t find the winner’s enclosure in Ireland but did find the minor money on two occasions at Dundalk on the synthetic course before making the trek. This son of Galileo comes here with two tremendous barrier trials under his belt, primed for this first-up assignment. Although the 1500m could be considered short of his ideal trip, you’re bound to get a good price for this lightly-raced four-year-old, particularly with his tricky barrier draw to overcome. Fleet Commander has drawn out in barrier 14; however, we think he’ll be getting a positive ride from jockey Rachel King, with his jump-outs suggesting he’ll be trying to race in a forward position. We concede he’s a risk and we might be a start or two early for Fleet Commander to find his peak – but we’re confident the ability is there to win on his Australian debut.
Best Value
Race 2 – 
#1 Fleet Commander (14)
4yo Colt | T: Bjorn Baker | Rachel King (60.5kg)
Thursday quaddie tips for Hawkesbury races
Hawkesbury quadrella selections
Thursday, May 18, 2023
- 3-7-8
- 1-3-5
- 2-4-5
- 1-2-4-8-9
Investment: $135 for 100%