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By Ray Hickson

Tips and race by race preview by Ray Hickson for Wednesday’s Hawkesbury meeting. Selections based on a good track.

8. Hard To Excel is trialling very well for a big run on debut. Showed improvement into his second hitout where he did the job easily at Rosehill on a soft 6. Should roll forward and with even luck in running give a good sight.

Dangers: 3. Best Side led them up on debut on the Kensington track and was reeled in over the last 150m or so wide out on the track. Fitter for that and from gate one he shouldn’t do a whole lot of work. Definite chance. 1. Aeecee Express is another seemingly trialling the house down and he improved to win by a margin at his second trial in March. Drawn the outside but imagine he strides forward and is one of the main players if he brings that trial form here. 4. Briggs made his debut in the Clockwise race at Ballarat back in November and finished midfield. Since then he’s been gelded and the shades comes off. Trialled a week ago and won nicely enough at Gosford. Pay to keep safe.

How to play it: Hard To Excel E/W ($9.00 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Hard To Excel wins a trial at Rosehill on March 29

9. Riduna wasn’t overly fancied in betting at her debut but ran well to finish a close third behind Ashema at Kensington a few weeks back. That form has held up okay and with any improvement she’s in the mix.

Dangers: 4. De An Andretti is a very well bred filly out of Group 1 winner Aloha who has trialled only once for Ron Quinton and ran third in a 740m heat. Check betting for a pointer given only the one trial but respecting her presence. 12. Your Too Good has the wide gate to contend with but aside from that there’s nothing wrong with her recent trials, runner-up to a city winner then scored easily on the synthetic. Well worth considering. 6. Heavenly Field started favourite on debut and ran into second place in a 900m scamper at Newcastle. Open to improvement on that.

How to play it: Riduna WIN ($3.90 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Riduna runs third at Kensington on March 25

6.Ladylovestogamble is a mare in super form coming through the grades and while she’s skipping one or two here she’s found a race she should go close in. Dominant at Gosford then sat handy after drawing wide at Newcastle and powered away. She should run the trip on those and is a top chance.

Dangers: 2. Relucent is fitter for two runs back and his history shows she improves with a couple under his belt. Both runs have been sound and he may be looking for the extra trip already. Entitled to go close given the field. 4. Selica is coming back in class after a couple of attempts at Group 3 mares level so could easily be an improver in this class. First and second-up runs were the sort of efforts that would have her in the finish somewhere 5. Dylan’s Romance would probably prefer a soft track but he’s the likely leader here and could get on pace favours. Boxed on well in the Wellington Cup and can stretch their necks a bit.

How to play it: Ladylovestogamble WIN ($2.90 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: EVENS.

Ladylovestogamble wins at Newcastle on March 30

Hard to go against the unbeaten 2. Majestic Shot who has won comfortably in all four starts in lesser company. She’s versatile and the ease of her two wins this prep says 1100m is no issue at all. Clearly the horse to beat. Read trainer Grant Allard's comments here.

Dangers: 4. Let It Pour has only won once in 15 starts but his best efforts would have him right in the mix. Placed at similar level last prep and both his trials back have been positive. Drawn ideally and is a threat. 3. Pinnacle Prince hasn’t raced since knocking over a couple of Highways in the New Year period and his only defeat is at the hands of the unbeaten It’s Me so he’s hard to fault. Thought his trial was okay and his record says he will be competitive. 5. Macushla showed promise at her first run for Chris Waller before disappointing in two subsequent starts. Given a quiet trial so no real guide on her there but drawn nicely and she’s one to keep an eye on.

How to play it: Majestic Shot WIN ($2.00 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: EVENS.

Majestic Shot wins at Gosford on April 1

9. Exoboom is an exciting type who started to put it all together after he lost on protest second-up last prep. Romped in at Wyong and Kembla and his recent trial was eye-catching. Kicking off at this trip suits and with even luck from gate one should be in the finish.

Dangers: 7. Rustic Steel was never threatened in winning at Newcastle a couple of weeks ago in a confidence boosting effort. Beat Kiku on debut so has some ability and will get every chance from a soft draw. 3. Blaze A Trail hasn’t raced since a close up fifth behind Sky Lab over a mile and that was on the back of a fast finishing fresh second over this trip at Rosehill. Likely to get back here and charge at them late. Capable of winning and keep an eye on him for the future. 4. Quiet Riot has won two races on good tracks and finished unplaced in two starts on soft 6 and 7 tracks so he might be able to lift on that sixth at Warwick Farm last start when favourite.

How to play it: Exoboom WIN ($1.70 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Exoboom runs third in a trial at Randwick on March 26

2. Juan Diva resumed with a sound second at Warwick Farm two weeks ago where she probably just peaked late. Fitter and back onto a dry track really suits her. Drawn to get a nice run and should be hard to hold out.

Dangers: 5. I Say Hello is an up and comer who chased hard in a strung out field to score at Newcastle after giving away too much start fresh. Likely to concede a start again here from the outside gate but an extra 100m looks in her favour. Must be respected. 12. Rosie Riveter hasn’t done anything wrong in three starts and this is no harder that her sound third at Warwick Farm over this trip. Another who should get a soft run and she looks well up to winning this. 1. Phemonoe is racing well and scored a popular win over this course second-up before a close fourth behind a handy one at Warwick Farm. Down a notch in class and the 3kg claim is a plus. Can’t leave out..

How to play it: Juan Diva WIN ($3.50 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Juan Diva runs second at Warwick Farm on March 31

9. Ruby Tuesday has the best finish of anything in this race but she can give away hefty starts. Excellent third behind Duais at Warwick Farm second-up, that form is good and her last win was at this track in September. Go well.

Dangers: 6. Maui Girl is now with Annabel Neasham and hasn’t raced since a close fourth in the Newcastle Newmarket to Gem Song. Her form in the few months preceding was consistent without winning and while she comes off a five week break with no trial she has to be respected. 5. Coterie did a fair bit of chasing wide out when he battled on into sixth behind Blesk last time out. Not far off the likes of The Irishman, Starspangled Rodeo and Yao Dash of late so his best is good enough. Keep safe. 10. Mightybeel looked good winning a maiden at Canterbury in February then up to 1900m disappointed. Freshened up and had a synthetic trial. Wouldn’t surprise to see him hitting the line strongly.

How to play it: Ruby Tuesday E/W ($5.00 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Ruby Tuesday runs third at Warwick Farm on March 31

8. Invincible Lad is a dry tracker and he’s one to keep an eye on fresh since seven start campaign where he only fired with three seconds on good tracks. Excellent trial leading into this and while he may go back from a wide gate he can be a player.

Dangers: 4. Shadow Bridge was far too good winning over this course two starts ago then led and gave a good kick when close up fourth at Kensington, the runner-up from that race winning since. He’ll be up there and is capable of winning. 5. Nictock served it up to the leader all the way at Wellington and pulled clear late in a strong win, backing up his tough Gosford win prior. Hard to leave him out of the chances. 11. Pearl Roan did it very easily scoring an all the way win at Tamworth first-up, it’ll be interesting to see if she backs that up. Her second-up record isn’t as strong but she did place under those circumstances last time in. Each-way.

How to play it: Invincible Lad E/W ($6.50 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: EVENS.

Invincible Lad runs second in a trial at Randwick on March 26

All the fields, form and replays for Wednesday’s Hawkesbury meeting