All roads lead to Hawkesbury this Thursday for the running of the 2023 Rowley Mile! With eight massive races on the card, find out who our experts are tipping to take home the cash!
Hawkesbury race 5
#5 Frosbie
Frosbie is flying this campaign. His last-start win at the Sapphire Coast was dominant, and the Scissor Kick gelding looks well placed in this company. The step out to 1800m is ideal at this stage of his preparation, and I am sure he will have supporters jumping from the inside draw. Hard to toss!
Monfelicity will start favourite after producing a solid first-up performance without threatening. The Vadamos mare strips fitter, and she should get the run of the race from barrier four. Her best form reads exceptionally well for this event, and she will appreciate the significant drop in class. Her recent winning record is the primary concern.
Xcited can bounce back after producing a disappointing fresh run at Kembla Grange. The Savabeel gelding is unbeaten second-up, and he finds his pet distance on Thursday. From barrier three, he will roll forward and control the tempo, and if he can overcome the allocated grandstand weight, he may prove hard to run down.
Suggested Bet: Frosbie @ $5.50
Hawkesbury race 6
#1 Flying Destiny
Flying Destiny is always thereabouts. The Flying Artie gelding performed admirably in his debut campaign, and he can resume a winner in a very winnable assignment. His two trials leading into this event should have him cherry ripe for a first-up tilt, and the 1100m looks ideal fresh. From the middle gate, he will push forward in search of the lead, and if he finds the front uncontested during the race’s early stages, the fat lady may be singing a long way from home.
Disoney is over the odds. The Dissident gelding was an impressive winner at Gosford last campaign, and his recent barrier trials have been teasing and ominous. The 2kg apprentice claim is advantageous, and the talented four-year-old looks poised to strike from an inside draw. He races well at the distance and is among the leading chances, with even luck in transit.
Coco Dreaming will have supporters after starting her career in fine style. The Pariah mare was a classy winner on debut at Wyong, and the form out of that race has stood up time and again. From barrier eight, she will drift back and watch the race unfold, and if she is within striking distance as they run for the judge, she can gobble up her rivals late. Her racing pattern and style will always need an element of luck.
Suggested Bet: Flying Destiny @ $4.20
Hawkesbury race 7
#12 Ruby Flyer
Ruby Flyer is having a career-defining campaign. The talented Flying Artie gelding is building an impressive career record, and he is progressing through his grades successfully this preparation. He deserves his shot at this level, and I suspect he has the fitness edge over the majority of his rivals. His record at the distance is exceptional, and he is a winner previously at the track. Big watch!
Protagonist is the ‘X factor’. The Wootton Bassett gelding raced formerly with the Haggas camp, and his best international form would win this event in a canter. The now seven-year-old resumes his career with the inform Kris Lees stable, and his two recent barrier trials indicate a forward showing fresh. He may need a run under his belt, and I would prefer to see him stretch out over 2000m and beyond.
Bold Mac will be supported heavily in the market after producing back-to-back victories. The Bold One gelding handles all track conditions, and his recent form puts him into all winning conversations for the feature event. Kerrin McEvoy has options from the middle gate for the big boy, and if he is presented to the middle of the track at the right time, he can figure.
Suggested Bet: Ruby Flyer @ $6.00
Hawkesbury race 8
#6 River Snitty
River Snitty can resume a winner. The Snitzel gelding was knocking on the door for the majority of his last campaign, and he snatched defeat from the jaws of victory on several occasions. Two recent barrier trials should have him ready to fire first-up, and his fresh record speaks volumes. The Chris Waller and James McDonald combination will attract plenty of market support, and he looks ideally drawn in a middle gate—great each-way value.
Pennypacker can run a drum after producing a consistent campaign to date. The Capitalist gelding should be rock-hard fit at this stage of his preparation, and the drop back to 1300m could prove a masterstroke. If the talented four-year-old can find some cover from the horror barrier draw, he can figure in the finish. His fate may be decided during the early stages of the race.
Spaltet is a must for all broader multiples and exotics. The Savabeel gelding looks excellent value at the cricket-score odds, and his first-up record is too good to ignore. The 2kg apprentice claim puts him into all winning calculations, and he will appreciate the significant drop in class. Over the odds!
Suggested Bet: River Snitty @ $6.00
