Hawkesbury Tips – 4 May 2021

Race 5.

ROCK THE BELLS has put in two solid last efforts, the latest when second over this distance, just a half length behind the winner. He overraced early and then came three wide into the home straight that day, but stayed on well over the closing stages. He gets gate seven and may be the one that they all have to beat.

He could be chased home by two 3yr old fillies, with the slight preference going to GOOD OMENS who is drawn one inside the top choice and who jumped awkwardly and then overraced in the early and middle stages last time out over 1500M, but still managed to win her maiden race by some 3.3L. She has only had the three runs to date and does take on stronger here, but she may well be up to the task at hand. It should also be noted that she has had a barrier trial since that last victory.

KEEN CONTRIBUTER showed marked improvement in her last two starts, the latest when fourth over a mile, just under a half length back from the winner. She hit the front at the 300M pole that day and was only run out of it very late. She has a handy draw three and should be included in all bets.

Race 6

With the late scratching of one of his biggest rivals, the door may have been opened for today’s best bet, CAPRI LANE to post his fourth career win. He followed up his penultimate run four-length victory over seven furlongs with a third-place finish over the same trip next time out, just a half-length behind the winner and the form of that race has been franked. He jumps from gate five and will have 1.5kgs taken off his back thanks to his claiming apprentice.

DASHING ‘N’ DARING has finished closer to the winner in his last three outings, the latest when third over a mile, just over a half-length back from the victor, despite racing three-wide. He has pulled a cozy gate three and could emerge as the biggest threat to the top pick.

HIDDEN HILLS has cracked pole position and showed good improvement to win his last start over a mile by a short-head. He was friendless in the betting markets that day and also had to weave his way through the traffic in the straight, so the win was that much more encouraging. As such, he should be involved in the finish here.

Race 7

A 4yr old and a 3yr old filly could fight out the finish to this race and complete the exacta, but the day’s value bet, MIRACLE STREET could be the right one. She has only had the two runs to date and showed the expected improvement to win by three and a half lengths second time out over five furlongs and clearly has some ability. She was immediately rested for 16 weeks and returns here having not had a barrier trial. She has however drawn gate three and should be right up there when they hit the line.

RAISON D’ETRE has her first run since a slightly longer 17-week break, but she has had two barrier trials, finishing third in the first and second in her latest to showcase her well-being. She has finished third in her last two outings, the last over six furlongs, two and a half lengths adrift of the victor when jumping awkwardly. The form of that race has stood up well with two runners out of that contest subsequently winning. She faces a wideish draw eight, but she should keep the top selection honest.

TIME FOR VICTORY on the other had has pole position. He has finished second in his last two outings, the latest over six furlongs, three lengths behind the winner. He pulled hard in the middle stages of that contest and had to be held up entering the home turn, but still made good late progress over the latter stages. He should not be lightly dismissed in this line-up.

Race 8

SIRENS has only had the three runs to date, recording a win and two third-place finishes so far. He won his penultimate start over 1100M and then finished second in his next outing over six furlongs, 1.7L off the winner. He stayed on well that day, suggesting that he should appreciate the extra ground on offer today. From gate three, he should be right up there in the firing line.

ASTERO is drawn one inside the former and also won his penultimate start, but in his case, over today’s trip and then finished second next time out over seven furlongs, beaten just a head. He returns from a 25-week absence during which time he was gelded, but he has had the benefit of two barrier trials, finishing third in the latest to prove his fitness.

SWEEPING BROOK is seldom far off the action and although he is recorded as finishing seventh last time out, he was only three lengths back from the winner. He was returning from a 35 week break that day and did jump awkwardly, but was staying on well over the closing stages. He seems likely to turn in another solid effort today.