Australian racing tips – Tuesday 13 August 2024 – Hawkesbury

Race 4

THREATENING was crowded shortly after the start and came three wide into the home straight when finishing third last time out over 1200M, just a half-length behind the winner. He was returning from a 20 week rest that day and the form of that race has stood up well with two runners out of that contest subsequently winning. From draw six, he looks to be the one to side with here.

Two 4-year-old fillies could chase him home, with the slight preference going to WEXFORD MISS who has only had two runs to date, finishing fifth on debut over 1400M and then third next time out over the same trip, just a head back from the victor. She has a handy draw two and returns from a 22-week break, but has had two barrier trials, winning the latest and will now have her first run for her new trainer. If fully settled into her new surroundings, she should give a good account of herself here.

GRASSBURN finished fifth in her latest outing over 1200M, 2.2L off the winner, but she was bumped at the start, came three wide into the home straight, before being bumped again at the 200M mark, so she had her excuses. The form of that race has however been franked and whilst she will have to negotiate a wide draw thirteen, she should be doing her best work late. There is an unraced runner in the field, so keep an eye on the betting markets to get some indication as to whether his connections believe that they can win first time out. Any betting support for him should be respected.

Race 5

KERVETTE is a 4-year-old filly taking on the boys, but she came three wide into the home stretch before striking the front at the 200M mark to win her maiden race last time out over 1300M by two and a half lengths going away. She takes on stronger here and is drawn wide in gate nine, but she retains the services of non-claiming apprentice, Zac Lloyd, son of ex-SA champion jockey, Jeff Lloyd to aid her cause and is taken to be the best bet on the day’s card.

NORTHERN EYES also won his maiden race last time out over 1300M, but in his case by putting 3,3L between himself and the opposition. He has his peak run for his new trainer and returning from a 20-week break and from his kinder gate five, he could turn out to be the biggest danger to the top pick.

TENDER STREAK is another 4yr old filly in the race and tried to go from jump to wire when ending up in sixth place last time out over 1300M, just over three and a half lengths adrift of the winner, but she was reported to have suffered from heat stress after that contest. She has her first run after a 19-week rest, but has had two barrier trials, winning the latest. The filly jumps from draw seven and will have 3kgs taken off her back thanks to her claiming apprentice and is likely to attempt similar frontrunning tactics today. As with the previous race, there is an unraced runner in this contest, so the same comment in respect of keeping an eye on the betting moves applies here as well.

Race 6

This looks to be a tricky race with plenty of runners in with a realistic chance of finding the winner’s box, so some caution is suggested. AFTER MATCH has only had two runs to date, finishing fifth on debut over 1000M and then showing the expected improvement to win by three and a half lengths next time out over 1100M, when returning from an 18-week break. The colt was hampered at the 600M pole that day, but drew clear of the field at the 300M mark to record a comfortable victory. He would have come on further with that run under his belt and from draw six, he could complete a quick double.

A 3-year-old and a 4-year-old filly could hunt him home, with a small preference going to SEASCAPE who won by 4.8L first time out over 1100M and then finished eighth next time out over the same sprint trip, 4.2L off the winner. but she jumped awkwardly that day bumping another runner and then raced three wide throughout and into the home straight. That was also at a stronger centre and whilst having her first run after a 15-week break and drawn wide in gate eleven, she has had the benefit of two barrier trials and she should use her early gate speed to move across without expending too much energy.

STILL ALICE has consistent formlines to her name and battled all the way down to the line when finishing second last time out over 1000M, one and a half lengths back from the winner. She gets a set of blinkers fitted for the first time and if these have the desired effect, she should be a big runner here, jumping from gate seven.

Race 7

The day’s value bet, FIOPROSPERO had his consistency rewarded with a 0.8L victory last time out over 1800M, but it should be noted that he jumped awkwardly, bumping another runner and then came four wide into the home stretch. The form of that race has been franked and from gate seven, the gelding could provide trainer Kristen Buchanan with her second winner in the Jackpot, should the top pick win the second leg.

AMBASSADORS has cracked pole position and followed up his penultimate run victory over 1600M with a third-place finish next time out over the same journey, just over two and a half lengths back from the winner. The gelding should turn in another honest performance here.

TWIN TURBO had finished second twice prior to winning his last start over 1600M, albeit by just a short-head. He chased down the frontrunners from some way back that day and from gate five and with Zac Lloyd un the saddle, he should be right up there when they hit the line.