Racing enthusiasts are in for a treat this Saturday at Hawkesbury, with a full 10-race program featuring competitive fields across all classes. Our expert analyst Ray Hickson provides detailed previews and selections for every race, highlighting key runners and betting strategies.
Race 1 - 11:20AM ST JOHNS PARK BOWLING CLUB 2YO CLARENDON STAKES (1400 METRES)
Tenenbaum is the clear standout after an impressive first-up win at Wyong, where he defeated the Black Opal runner-up. He has since won a trial and the 1400m distance on his home track looks ideal. The market reflects his dominance, but he is the one to beat. The Roaring Sun made a promising debut at Warwick Farm, finishing second behind Seraphox, and appears the main danger. Nations League showed improvement in his second preparation, making late ground for third at Warwick Farm over 1200m, and the extra distance will suit. Fondness found 1100m too sharp on debut but has track experience and the form from that race has proven handy.
How to play it: Tenenbaum WIN.
Race 2 - 11:55AM TAB HIGHWAY HANDICAP (1500 METRES)
Oakfield Alaska impressed with a dominant win at Muswellbrook under 60kg, and with weight relief and extra ground, he should be competitive from a closer position. Olympian brings strong form if he lines up, despite a wide gate and 62.5kg, after a luckless run in the Carbine Club. West Head cost himself third when resuming at Mudgee but has since won a trial and gets weight relief. Ulysses Blue is a big odds chance but placed over this trip in a Highway earlier in the year.
How to play it: Oakfield Alaska WIN.
Race 3 - 12:30PM MIDWAY BENCHMARK 72 HANDICAP (1500 METRES)
Swift Legend made a handy return behind Ready To Shine at Warwick Farm over 1200m, and with improvement expected, he is a good chance from a favourable draw. Audrey's Lane has been consistent at this level with placings since a first-up win, and the longer trip should suit. Viewpoint is an up-and-comer who won first-up at this track over Benchmark 64 company, but faces a wide gate. Tambeloa was competitive fresh in this grade and then Group 3 placed, while Iceman has placed in all four runs this preparation.
How to play it: Swift Legend EACH-WAY.
Race 4 - 1:05PM THE LAWN SHED BENCHMARK 78 HANDICAP (1800 METRES)
Aix En Provence has been solid in two runs back, running well behind Formal Display fresh and then having to duck back to the fence in a Midway at Randwick. With a lack of tempo expected, he is a good each-way chance. Centenario is a consistent middle-distance type resuming, having run third over 1550m at Canterbury last campaign. Tazima comes off a gap since his runaway win at Rosehill in March and is lightly raced. Starzintheireyes is an import first-up who has won up to 2011m at Newmarket and trialled well at Rosehill.
How to play it: Aix En Provence EACH-WAY.
Race 5 - 1:40PM BLAKES MARINE BENCHMARK 78 HANDICAP (1100 METRES)
Golden Straand is short in the market but deservedly so after an impressive fresh win at Warwick Farm, where he sat off the pace and stormed down the middle. He can only improve. Harry's Evidence ran a handy third behind Call Me Gorgeous before a disappointing run at the Farm, but he didn't get a clear shot and can be forgiven. Sweethearted chased Golden Straand home and meets him 2kg better, so he must be included. Wanaruah is a query first-up after almost a year off in a new stable, but he trialled well and has quality.
How to play it: Golden Straand WIN.
Race 6 - 2:15PM ELITE SAND & SOIL HAWKESBURY GUINEAS (1400 METRES)
Regal Award beat himself second-up in the South Pacific after blowing the start, yet still finished close. He has trialled with a barrier blanket and should jump better now at peak fitness. Buffalo was enormous in the Provincial-Midway Champs Final, coming from last at the 400m to run fourth, and while he has an outside gate again, the smaller field helps. Skyhook ran well in the Darby Munro first-up and held his ground behind Tempted in the Arrowfield; his only run at this trip was fourth in the Golden Rose. Karinska was badly held up in the James Carr and should have finished closer than third.
How to play it: Regal Award WIN.
Race 7 - 2:50PM PIONEER SERVICES HAWKESBURY CROWN (1300 METRES)
Chidiac comes off a strong Country Championships win, sitting on speed and surging at the end of 1400m. This is harder and she is not well weighted, but she has race fitness and form, and a good draw. Oh Diamond Lil is the likely leader and dangerous when controlling the pace; she looked ready in a recent trial. Surfin' Bird was a beaten favourite in a Group 3 before a spell following a hat-trick in Victoria, and has trialled well. Infancy steamed home from last in the Sapphire to run second and will be running on.
How to play it: Chidiac WIN.
Race 8 - 3:25PM RICHMOND CLUB HAWKESBURY GOLD CUP (1600 METRES)
Taken is extremely well placed with a good draw that should allow him to sit in the first few. He has been unlucky with wide gates in his last two starts, finishing close seconds, but when he sat on speed last win he kicked away. He is progressive with a good record. Vivy Air was enormous in the Coolmore Classic first-up and can be forgiven for her Doncaster effort after being blocked on the turn. She is consistent and well drawn. Amor Victorious may find favours on the speed resuming at a suitable trip; he ran well in the Ingham before winning in Brisbane at a mile. Captain Furai has charged through the grades, winning a Benchmark 100 two weeks ago, and is in career-best form.
How to play it: Taken WIN.
Race 9 - 4:05PM HAWKESBURY XXXX GOLD RUSH (1100 METRES)
Gumdrops is at the bottom of her preferred distance but with plenty of speed on, a strong finisher is handy. She has a good fresh record and excellent trials, especially the first in good sprinting company. World Alliance can find a late surge when in form and has a strong fresh record. Catch The Glory was excellent winning the Birthday Card first-up but disappointing in the Sapphire, from which she had a slow recovery. Zealously is a speed horse with a wide gate, but keep him in mind if the speed influences come out.
How to play it: Gumdrops EACH-WAY.
Race 10 - 4:45PM CLARENDON TAVERN BENCHMARK 88 HANDICAP (1400 METRES)
Estremo is a Group 3 winning colt who was acceptable when resuming at Randwick, making his bid down the middle but getting tight late. With better luck, he can be a major player. Our Queen finished just ahead of him in that race, running wide and posting nice late sectionals for fourth. She is fourth-up and close to another win. Surfin' Bird is an each-way chance if she runs here, well weighted with a claim down to 53kg. Hyperbolic was close up when resuming but disappointed at Randwick; her earlier form would have her close to favourite, and this is a good chance to bounce back.
How to play it: Estremo WIN.
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