Hawkesbury hosts its feature standalone Saturday meeting this weekend with the Hawkesbury Gold Cup and Hawkesbury Guineas the feature events.
The Wizard of Odds has plenty of value including a former winner of the Gold Cup to repeat his 2019 antics, while it’s off to Sandown Hillside for the metro meeting in Melbourne.
Hawkesbury Race 3
#9 TIpping Point
Young up-and-coming trainer William Freedman looks to have found a nice progressive three-year-old in the form of Tipping Point.
The gelding by Bull Point broke through his maiden victory at Orange last start and did so in fine style.
After drawing barrier five, he ambled out of the gates to sit in the rear half of the field and then charged through the line to win by nearly three lengths.
Draws a bit of an awkward barrier here, but the Hawkesbury track usually favours horses who are drawn wide and make their runs up the middle or towards the outside fence.
He will be rocketing home late in the race.
Suggested Bet: Tipping Point each-way at $5 the win and $2 the place.
Suggested Exotic: Quinella – 1 & 9
Hawkesbury Race 7 - Hawkesbury Guineas
#3 Ellsberg
Ellsberg went like a lear-jet when winning upon resumption at Randwick over 1400 metres last start.
With only 53kgs on his back, Tim Clark took the three-year-old colt straight to the front and they only saw his backside as he careered away to win by three lengths.
He probably could have won by more if Clark really asked him to extend but he has kept some energy in the locker for this $200,000 event.
Clark should be able to roll to the front with ease again and control the race as he pleases.
Suggested Bet: Ellsberg win at $2.05
Suggested Exotic: Boxed Trifecta – 2, 3, 6
Hawkesbury Race 8 - Hawkesbury Gold Cup
#2 Archedemus
The 2019 Hawkesbury Gold Cup winner looks to ready to peak third-up at the mile.
This is a clear target for him and his two runs into this campaign actually read better than what they seem to the naked eye.
First-up he was asked to settle outside a hot lead speed set by the first and firing Yao Dash over 1500 metres and he did a good job to hold on for fifth despite being beaten by four-and-a-half lengths.
He then dropped back in distance to 1400 metres with 60.5kgs on his back in a BM-100 even last weekend.
He was made to do his fair share of work early in the race from barrier 12 in an attempt to cross and lead but it all went pear-shaped.
After being posted three-deep, he faded to finish in the rear half of the field but the positive sign out of the run is he comes into this race on the quick back-up.
He has clearly pulled up well from that run and Josh Parr – who is well known for his daring front-running tactics – takes the ride.
Suggested Bet: Archedemus each-way at $5.5 the win and $2.10
Sandown Race 3
#9 Altai Ranger
Altai Ranger is going to get complete control of the lead in this race and with only 51kgs on his back, it’s tough to see how this field can keep up with him.
Apprenctice hoop Carleen Hefel takes the reigns and trainer John Sadler is sure to have instructed her with one simple tactic; roll forward and get them all chasing a long way out.
The main danger to this three-year-old gelding comes in the form of the favourite Cordilla but she has a tendency to settle back in her runs and it might get awkward from barrier one.
Happy to risk her and side with the horse who will make his own luck out in front.
Suggested Bet: Altai Ranger win at $3.9
Sandown Race 4
#11 Crimson ACe
Crimson Ace is building towards a win this campaign and comes into this race at her fourth-up run following a close defeat at Cranbourne last start.
She run second in a three-way photo-finish between herself, She’s on Time and Plucky Pirouette who has since come out and bolted in at Sale this week.
Trainer duo Trent Bussutin and Natalie Young should now have her somewhere near her peak fitness and from barrier one, she will bludge her away around the track.
Just needs to get the gaps at the right time and if she does, she can run a cheeky race at big odds.
Suggested Bet: Crimson Ace each-way at $16 the win and $4 the place
