The feature meeting in NSW this Saturday afternoon is in Hawkesbury and we have a truly outstanding card of racing ahead of us.
Our full 2022 Hawkesbury Gold Cup Day Tips & Preview can be found below.
Preview brought to you by Neds. Learn more about Neds HERE.
Race 1: Clarendon Stakes (1400m) 11:20am
Tip: No. 8 Political Debate
I loved the way Political Debate worked through the line on debut when finishing second to the smart Resonator.
He is a son of So You Think out of a Zabeel mare so the step up in distance will suit and he represents good each way value at his current price.
Race 2: Highway Handicap (1100m) 11:55am
Tip: No. 8 Proverbial
Lightly raced four year old mare Proverbial broke through for her maiden win at Wyong before going for a spell.
She returned with an impressive win when resuming at Scone over 1000m and the step up in distance suits.
The each way odds available seems overs to me.
Race 3: Benchmark 72 Handicap (1500m) 12:30pm
Tip: No. 16 Short Shorts
Three year old filly Short Shorts did not handle the heavy 10 at Royal Randwick when tackling the Listed South Pacific Stakes over 1400m.
She had not missed a place in four previous runs up until that point including a dominant 2.5 length win at this track two back.
I’m wary of a really wet track and the tricky gate but she looks value.
Race 4: Benchmark 78 Handicap (1800m) 1:05pm
Tip: No. 5 Deepstrike
Deepstrike is a talented horse with plenty of natural ability who is racing consistently right at the minute.
The son of Tavistock won a benchmark 64 at Sandown by over three lengths before scoring at Caulfield in a benchmark 84 last time out.
This is an easier task and fitness should not be an issue at this stage in his prep.
Race 5: Benchmark 78 Handicap (1100m) 1:40pm
Tip: No. 9 Najmaty
While Najmaty has not quite lived up to the early hype, she is still a talented individual.
She proved this with an impressive 1.5 length win at Caufield to kick start this campaign and she gets another winnable race here.
The wet track will be of concern if we get the expected rain.
Race 6: Listed Gold Rush (1100m) 2:15pm
Tip: No. 2 Malkovich
Malkovich is a very good sprinter with a consistent overall record who comes into this event off the back of a freshen up.
He beat Brooklyn Hustle in the Bob Hoysted at Flemington before failing to handle the heavy 9 in the Group 1 The Galaxy.
He has been given six weeks in between runs into this and he won a recent trial by over eight lengths.
Race 7: Group 3 Hawkesbury Guineas (1400m) 2:50pm
Tip: No. 1 Mr Mozart
Mr Mozart has the runs on the board, and on exposed form he looks a clear pick in the feature race of the afternoon here at Hawkesbury.
The son of Snitzel won the Group 2 Phar Lap Stakes by two lengths on the heavy track at Rosehill before taking out the Doncaster Prelude against the older horses last time out.
He beat home Our Playboy in that race who has since come out and won at Randwick which further franks his form.
Race 8: Group 3 Hawkesbury Crown (1300m) 3:30pm
Tip: No. 3 Wandabaa & No. 11 Fashchanel
The Hawkesbury Crown is always a fantastic betting race and this year is no different.
The Australian Bloodstock owned Wandabaa is a mare racing well especially on the heavy surfaces and thinks looks the perfect race for her.
Fashchanel is a progressive type of mare who resumes here after three solid trials leading in.
This is a step in class but she has drawn to get a nice run in transit from barrier two.
Race 9: Group 3 Hawkesbury Gold Cup (1600m) 4:10pm
Tip: No. 4 Aramayo
Aramayo was really good without winning during his last campaign and while he has been a tad disappointing in his two runs this prep, he is capable of a high rating performance on his day.
The Chris Waller trained gelding is suspect on the real wet track but he has drawn to get a great run in transit from barrier four.
Race 10: Benchmark 78 Handicap (1300m) 4:45pm
Tip: Boxed Trifecta 3/4/8/9/12
