From Anthony Cummings
Horse: Kote
Message: (Saturday, Hawkesbury Race 7, Hawkesbury Guineas) That (leading) wasn’t working so we went back at his next run in stakes grade (Fireball Stakes) and he came from a long last and motored home to run 2nd. It was probably his best run this prep so far. Then he went to Rosehill and was unlucky not to be in the finish. He ran second after being in all sorts of trouble at the furlong when he and the winner went for a run at the same point. The winner got it, we didn’t and he got pushed sideways. So long as he finds cover in the first furlong, in that circumstance I think he could run a mile. He’s got a pedigree that says he should, there are Melbourne Cup winners in his pedigree, Derby winners, so there’s no lack of stamina. His headspace just needs to be in the right place and it’s nearly there.
Horse: Cap Estel
Message: (Saturday, Hawkesbury Race 10, Clarendon Tavern BM88 Hcp) Cap Estel is looking to bounce back after she was caught on the worst part of the track first-up at Hawkesbury. We go there with great hope on Saturday. I had paid up for her in the mares’ race on Saturday (Hawkesbury Crown), but she was balloted out and that was a reflection of her form, so she’s got to force her way back into that grade.
From Scott Singleton
Horse: Dollar Magic
Message: (Saturday, Hawkesbury Race 2, Highway Hcp) This mare is going terrific, we ran into a real smart one (Mogo Magic) at Randwick, they ran time (57.85 secs over 1000m), she was dominant winning off it, so this race was written all over her. She has, last two runs, she didn’t have a lot of luck that day at Randwick either. Had to course a bit wide, stuck to the task so bravely and they don’t know how good the winner might be. She backed it up with a big win with weight (59kg) at Scone, so we planned this race. She’s progressed this prep into a lovely mare, and still improvement I think. It’ll take a good one to beat her the form she’s in. No favours the draw (13) but not the disadvantage it once was when Hawkesbury was a lot tighter and shorter run home. Reece (Jones) has ridden her regularly; she’s got the turn of foot to be on-pace and we’ve got some weight relief.
From Kim Waugh
Horse: Shadows Of Love
Message: (Saturday, Hawkesbury Race 3, Midway Hcp) While she’s coming through the grades quickly this prep, Shadows Of Love is still on a learning curve and hopes she can use that experience to atone in the Midway Handicap (1100m) at Hawkesbury on Saturday. She drifted out and brushed that horse (Olentia) and when she did that she frightened herself and overreacted and ducked back in sharply. (Olentia) is a nice horse isn’t she but I’m happy with my filly, just hopefully they don’t get much rain. She’s pretty versatile, she’s got a good turn of foot and she pings out of the barriers. She’ll be on pace there somewhere. She’s a lovely filly, she was very immature and I still think next prep will be her best prep. She just keeps improving.
Horse: True Crime
Message: (Saturday, Hawkesbury Race 7, Hawkesbury Guineas) Consistent three-year-old True Crime returns to his own age in the Group 3 Hawkesbury Guineas after contesting the Provincial-Midway Championships Final. He had to take on the older horses and he’s still only a baby himself so I thought he went very well. I think he will run a great race, he’s pretty tractable and professional and he’s done well since his last run.
From Kris Lees
Horse: Night Of Romance
Message: (Saturday, Hawkesbury Race 6, Hawkesbury Gold Rush) Imported mare Night Of Romance has her second local start in the Listed Hawkesbury Gold Rush and the trip could be a bit sharp. She’s a nice mare, it’ll probably be too short for her at the 1100m. She tends to be a touch aggressive so we thought we’d run her in a shorter race to take a bit of the edge off her. I think she will hit the line well.
Horse: Razeta
Message: (Saturday, Hawkesbury Race 7, Hawkesbury Guineas) While it’s true the filly is two from two on heavy ground, she’s just as effective on firmer going. She’s trained on well and she’s comfortable on better ground. I think she’s in a good space. I think she will get a nice run and it looks to set up well. She has a bit of confidence, she’s racing at a high level and if she maintains that form she will be competitive. She got the right set up, she was a fit filly coming back from a mile but I was really impressed with that last furlong where she was full of running through the line.
Horse: Never Talk
Message: (Saturday, Hawkesbury Race 8, Hawkesbury Crown) The mare ran on from near last when runner-up to Zapateo in the Group 2 Sapphire Stakes two weeks ago but has another outside alley to contend with in the Group 3 Hawkesbury Crown. What happens with wet tracks is it just puts a few out of play. She does have a good wet track record but she has a good turn of foot on either ground. She just needs things go her way. She keeps drawing these average gates (gate 13 on Saturday) but she’s in good order.
From John O’Shea
Horse: Avebury
Message: (Saturday, Hawkesbury Race 7, Hawkesbury Guineas) The daughter of Savabeel has won two races to date, including the Listed Canberra Guineas and I am keen to add another stakes win to her tally this weekend. Avebury has drawn a bit awkwardly (10). She is a filly that copped a heavy track the other day and could quite easily bounce back.
From Bjorn Baker
Horse: Malkovich
Message: (Saturday, Hawkesbury Race 6, Hawkesbury Gold Rush) Malkovich steps out for the first time as a gelding in the Listed Hawkesbury XXXX Gold Rush. He didn’t come up quite as expected last preparation. On his best form he’s very good as we know, and sharp, he just ended up getting so heavy we thought it was best to geld him. He’s a much more athletic horse and we’re thrilled with how he’s been going. Malkovich has won both his barrier trials leading into his return.
Horse: Bring The Ransom
Message: (Saturday, Hawkesbury Race 8, Hawkesbury Crown) All autumn this six-year-old is feeling very well but she’s been dictated to by wide barriers in top mares company. We’ve been forced to go back. She’s been hindered by having to give away lengths. I’m not saying she would have been in the finish of her last couple but she would have been closer for sure. It was a brilliant run in the Queen Of The Turf under the circumstances, and we were thrilled with her. She hasn’t been helped by some of the wet tracks but she’s still run good races. I’ve got no doubt she’s better on top of the ground. I think she’s in great order, she looks fantastic. I don’t want to see her shorter than double figures, she likes to win when she’s bigger odds. She won her first start at 30/1 she won the Dark Jewel at 50/1. She pops up when it’s least expected
Horse: Kiss The Bride
Message: (Saturday, Hawkesbury Race 9, Hawkesbury Gold Cup) We’ll be able to be positive and roll forward. He’s a strange horse, often he takes a few runs to show his best but we’re pretty happy with him.
From The Editor
Hawkesbury Race 4 – Ausbred Flirt
Hawkesbury Race 6 – Andermatt
Hawkesbury Race 9 – Lord Ardmore
