By Neil Evans
Track Good 4 and rail out 5m from 1100m to 450m & True the remainder:
| Race 1 - 2:05PM PIONEER SERVICES HANDICAP (1100 METRES) |
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10. Rocket Girl is a debutant filly by prolific I Am Invincible primed to open her career with a bang for the leading Chris Waller-James McDonald combination in a battle of the new two-year-olds. Has been strong through the line in two Rosehill trials, the latest sitting wide but still cruising home under a good hold, and is drawn to get the right run. 1. Extremely Tempted is a colt by Extreme Choice in the Waterhouse-Bott stable, and obviously big watch off two progressive trials, winning the latest in commanding fashion when pushed out and running a slick final 600m. 3. Priory Park is a colt by speedster Wild Ruler who starts behind two winning trials for the Archibald camp. Gap to the rest headed by 7. Honeysuckle who opens her career off two soft trials.
How to play it: Rocket Girl to win
| Race 2 - 2:40PM ELITE SAND & SOIL HANDICAP (1100 METRES) |
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5. Fairway To Heaven can make it two wins on the bounce at just her fourth start. Given a month between runs and a sharp trial after a fair front-running debut in the city, then dominated from the front to break through at Kembla as a hot favourite. Naturally more depth up to this level, but she has superior cruising speed, and drawn low. 7. Lighthouse Lass is another tough on-speed filly who has beaten all but the winner in three runs this campaign, and drops back from deeper metropolitan opposition. 2. Somerton Smart is a lightly raced and progressive country three-year-old who wasn't far away first-up at Scone, and the third horse from that race then led all the way at Mudgee on Sunday. Had won his previous two starts in the country last spring, and with a 3kg claim will be right there if he can tuck in from the outside barrier. Gap to the rest headed by 3. La Basilique who is a market watch first-up for the leading stable off two very quiet trials; while 8. Admire Me is over the odds resuming for the leading home stable behind two improving trials.
How to play it: Fairway To Heaven to win
| Race 3 - 3:15PM BLAKES MARINE HANDICAP (1600 METRES) |
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2. Lontrice can break through stepping up to the mile second-up in his first full prep, and drawn to get early cover. Battled on okay behind a smart one on the Kensington track when having his first outing for 18 weeks, and will relish this trip being by a Group 1 Rosehill Guineas winner. 10. Jade Sunset is an improving filly who found the line nicely firest-up at Wyong, and suited over more ground with some weight relief. 3. Almaaz has been in the money at her last three runs, but under the odds here. 7. Iron Legend, freshened up via a quiet trial, and 9. Canjustify resuming for a second prep; are both capable of adding value into trifecta and first fours.
How to play it: Lontrice to win
| Race 4 - 3:50PM EVERGREEN TURF HANDICAP (1100 METRES) |
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10. Dear Jewel is sparingly raced and well placed to strike third-up, four weeks between runs. Beaten only one length in BM 72 fillies and mares company at Warwick Farm over this same trip before kept ticking over at the trials, and she looks ideally placed on the 54kg limit from a handy trailing draw. 2. Madrina resumes from an awkward barrier, but did tackle tougher provincial and metropolitan races to close out her last prep. 3. Vinolass is over the overs second-up after doing her best work late in the short course Flat Knacker at Albury 19 days ago. 6. Campari Twist second-up from a softer draw, and home track mare 11. Triple Yes deep into her prep is the best of the rest.
How to play it: Dear Jewel to win
| Race 5 - 4:25PM DARREN PULLMAN 10YR MEMORIAL HANDICAP (1300 METRES) |
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7. Aligned can improve enough second-up with gear changes to claim a fourth win at only his 14th start, and crucially on a seven day back-up. Won two straight up to provincial BM 68 level before earning a break, then held his ground in a tougher race at Warwick Farm when finsihing in the worst part of the track. Drawn to do no work right behind the speed. 6. Spione is a lightly raced five-year-old, and significant market watch returning for his first run since mid November for the Hawkes stable. Wasn't far away in two runs against touher opposition in Victoria last spring before spelling, and did sweep home to claim a BM 78 at Randwick prior to that. Fitted with two trials, drawn to get a handy trail, and handles all going. 3. Arriving Home can improve sharply third-up dropping back from much tougher Group 3 level. 1. Rotagilla is a close watch resuming off two quiet trials for the Waller yard; while 8. Peace Officer resumes with gear changes behind two soft trials.
How to play it: Aligned to win
| Race 6 - 5:00PM RICHMOND CLUB HANDICAP (1500 METRES) |
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11. Night Agent is a promising three-year-old who can continue on his merry way in what is now a weakened race after demolishing a weaker field on the Beaumont track by 10 lengths. Drops 4.5kg from that, and is drawn to dictate again. 5. Bella Khadijah is another home tracker peaking fourth-up, and over the odds. 12. Bubbles Up is an emerging city filly, and also knockout value improving into her third start. Was scratched from Rosehill on Monday to be saved for this. 9. Chokuto, with a significant jockey change second-up, can figure in the minor money.
How to play it: Night Agent to win
BEST BETS:
R3 2. LONTRICE
R5 7. ALIGNED
BEST VALUE:
R4 10. DEAR JEWEL
All the fields, form and replays for Wednesday's Hawkesbury meeting