From Brad Widdup
Horse: Global Ausbred
Message: (Saturday, Hawkesbury Race 4, Blakes Marine BM78 Hcp) Global Ausbred is a magnificent type with a pedigree to match (a half-brother to former Hong Kong Horse of the Year Able Friend). I doubt you will see a better looking horse on Saturday, and he keeps taking the next step. It is definitely a rise in class from a Canterbury midweek, but it’s the right race to set him up for his next start in Brisbane. This race on Saturday is a stepping stone for him. If he goes well enough then we will press on to the Rough Habit Plate and Queensland Derby.
Horse: Surreal Step
Message: (Saturday, Hawkesbury Race 6, Hawkesbury XXXX Gold Rush) Surreal Step is making his debut for the stable. He hasn’t raced since finishing 4th to Special Reward in the Listed Razor Sharp Handicap at Randwick on December 11. I’m happy with how he is progressing, but a bit sceptical about the 1100m. He has had only the one trial (finishing a close 3rd to Our Bellagio Miss), and I think the distance might be a bit short for him first-up. We will ride him in behind hoping there is speed and he finishes off well then we can move on with his preparation.
From Kris Lees
Horse: Kalapour
Message: (Saturday, Hawkesbury Race 4, Blakes Marine BM78 Hcp) Dylan Gibbons’ 3kg claim means the Irish import will carry 59kg, 2kg less than he carried when an impressive Australian debut winner in a Benchmark 78 Handicap (1500m) at Hawkesbury on April 13. It was a very good fresh run from a staying type so it’s always a slight concern second-up but this horse has trained on well and he’s going up in trip to 1800m. Kalapour is a very nice horse, and has trained on strongly since his Hawkesbury win. But I’m not sure how much further I will go with him after Saturday, this being his first campaign in Australia.
Horse: Loch Eagle
Message: (Saturday, Hawkesbury Race 7, Hawkesbury Guineas) Loch Eagle will appreciate a more genuine race tempo and a track surface bordering on the soft range as he tries to exact immediate revenge over last-start conqueror Vilana in the Hawkesbury Guineas. I didn’t think Loch Eagle was ever really going to pick up Vilana the other day, the track was just too heavy for him. He appreciated the soft ground at Newcastle and Warwick Farm when he won his two previous starts but that track at Randwick the other day was bottomless and it just took the sprint out of him. But with more pressure in the Guineas, this should be a proper run race, and with a track either a Soft 7 or Heavy 8, I think he will run very well.
Horse: Samoot
Message: (Saturday, Hawkesbury Race 10, Voir Grand Classic BM78 Hcp) Samoot had a tick-over trial last Tuesday, and has the advantage of the inside draw (gate 1). She can definitely improve on her latest Rosehill defeat in the Group 3 Birthday Card Stakes (1200m), and is back to Benchmark grade.
From Team Snowden
Horse: Marboosha
Message: (Saturday, Hawkesbury Race 6, Hawkesbury XXXX Gold Rush) Marboosha is coming off a 6th placing behind Bella Nipotina in the Sapphire Stakes at Randwick three weeks ago but the mare is better suited at 1100m. Bjorn Baker’s horse (Malkovich) is very fast and I think Marboosha can sit off that horse and run a ‘hole’ in that race for sure.
Horse: Devil’s Throat
Message: (Saturday, Hawkesbury Race 7, Hawkesbury Guineas) This is a big step up in class for Devil’s Throat but he has won his last two starts and the horses he has beaten have gone on and raced well at Group level. He’s there, he’s been lightly raced, although he was racing in January and he has kept going until now, his last win was good. He looks well, his work has been fantastic, he’s drawn a great barrier (gate 1) and he gets through soft ground. It’s a pretty solid race but I think he is a good each way chance.
From Nathan Doyle
Horse: Norwegian Bliss
Message: (Saturday, Hawkesbury Race 10, Voir Grand Classic BM78 Hcp) After stringing four wins together on the bounce in her first campaign, Norwegian Bliss resumed in fine fashion with a determined victory over an unsuitable 1100m at Hawkesbury a fortnight ago. This weekend’s distance (1300m) being more to his mare’s liking. It was quite pleasing to see her win that day (at Hawkesbury first-up). James (McDonald) jumped off and said she was never comfortable at the 1100m. She feels a lot more a miler to him. She was always off the bit chasing, but was still able to get the job done. I think once she gets up in trip that’s when you’ll see the best of her.
From Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou
Horse: Green Shadows
Message: (Saturday, Hawkesbury Race 1, Clarendon Stakes) Green Shadows will bid to extend his unbeaten record to three in the Clarendon Stakes. He has impressed with back-to-back wins at Goulburn and Eagle Farm. I was thinking of going back up there (Brisbane) but it’s his first preparation and it would be six weeks between runs. He has done so well since he has come home, I might run him at Hawkesbury and then spell him.
Horse: Flying Crazy
Message: (Saturday, Hawkesbury Race 7, Hawkesbury Guineas) Flying Crazy has posted black-type wins at two of his past three starts, including in Queensland where he finished powerfully to claim the Listed Daybreak Lover Stakes over Saturday’s Guineas journey. Flying Crazy will stick to 1400m races for now. Keagan (Latham), Brenton Avdulla and Brad Stewart said don’t run him in a mile race because he pulls too hard. So he will probably go to Hawkesbury for the Guineas. He goes quite well and I reckon he can win a really nice race one day. Latham reunites with Flying Crazy on Saturday.
From The Editor
Hawkesbury Race 6 – Malkovich
Hawkesbury Race 7 – Mr Mozart
Hawkesbury Race 9 – Kirwan’s Lane
