The Hawkesbury stand-alone meeting will be held this Saturday. The course proper was rated a Soft 5 on Thursday and with fine weather over the next couple of days, Hawkesbury will be racing on a Good track on raceday.
Scone trainer Rodney Northam can take out the opening event at Hawkesbury on Saturday with 3YO Professor Marx (Sydney Race 1, 1100m). The Bon Hoffa gelding did well to finish 2nd when resuming at Muswellbrook over 1000m. It’s natural progression stepping up to 1100 2nd up. Blake Shinn will be on board and Professor Marx has drawn beautifully in barrier 4 which will enable him to receive a lovely run in transit. Professor Marx will be the one they all have to hold out.
Godolphin-owned Duca Valentinois can make it two wins on the trot in the Richmond Club Provincial Stayers Championship Final (Sydney Race 2, 2100m). The Irish Import won well 1st up over the mile at Warwick farm and stepping up to 2100m 2nd up will suit. From barrier 3, James McDonald will park the gelding mid-field along the fence and saves plenty of petrol up his sleeves in the run home. Duca Valentinois looks the horse to beat once again.
Provincial Championships Final winner Danish Twist has been in terrific form and looks hard to beat again in the Lander Toyota Ladies Day Cup BM 85 Hcp (Sydney Race 5, 1300m). The Provincial Championships form has held up really well with Hetty Heights winning last week and Unequivocal and His Majesty both finished 2nd in other races. Stepping back 100m would not be a problem for Danish Twist as she has a terrific record with 4 wins and 2 placings from 7 attempts at 1300m. Barrier 1 will give Brenton Avdulla plenty of options on where to settle Danish Twist.
Chris Waller can win another black type race with Strawberry Boy in the Hawkesbury Gold Cup (Sydney Race 7, 1600m). The 7YO has a good record over the mile with 4 wins and a 3rd at the trip and he is unbeaten at Hawkesbury winning both starts at the venue. He resumed with a brilliant 3rd beaten only a neck over 1400m and Kerrin McEvoy will be replacing apprentice Taylor Marshall on Saturday. Though drawing a bit wide in barrier 14 (into barrier 11 without the emergencies), Strawberry Boy will go forward to the lead and he could prove hard to catch.
By Owens Wong, Editor
