Australian racing tips – Sunday 21 July 2024 – Hawkesbury

Race 5

IRISH ANTHEM is seldom too far off the action, finishing fourth last time out over 1500M, 2.7L back from the winner, but he was bumped at the start, overraced in the early stages bumping another runner and had to be held up at the 200M mark, before finishing off his race strongly once he was clear. He returns from a 17-week rest, but has finished third in his only barrier trial and from gate six, he looks to be the one to side with here.

Two 3-year-old fillies could chase him home, with the slight preference going to TORIE’S ROSE who raced three wide throughout after being slow away to end up in fifth place last time out over 1200M, 5.3L behind the winner. She is drawn on outside the top pick and will be having her peak run after returning from an 11-week rest.

SUAY MAM’SELLE has only had two runs to date, finishing eighth on debut over 1200M and then sixth next time out over 1300M, 2.3L back from the victor, when returning from a 24-week break. She jumped awkwardly that day, bumping another runner and then hung in from the 300M pole. The filly now has her first run after a longer 34-week spell, but she has finished second in her only barrier trial to showcase her well-being. She faces a wide draw thirteen, but she should not be lightly dismissed. There is an unraced runner in the field, so keep an eye on the betting markets to get some indication as to whether her connections believe that they can win first time out. Any betting support for her should be respected.

Race 6

THE EXTREME CAT did not get the clearest of passages in the home straight, only seeing daylight at the 200M mark before finishing well to end up in eighth spot last time out over 1200M, four length behind the winner. He has his peak run after returning from a 13-week break and is drawn in gate five and will have ex-SA jockey Keagan Latham in the irons, so he will get all the necessary assistance from the saddle.

CANDY WOMEN is a 3-year-old filly taking on the boys and followed up her penultimate run victory over 1200M with a second-place finish next time out over the same sprint trip, beaten just a short-head. She chased hard that day and with another ex-SA jockey Brandon Lerena up and with a handy draw two, she should be right up there when they hit the line.

CARPACCIO is the stable companion of the latter and came the widest of them all into the home straight, but stayed on well to finish sixth last time out over 1400M, just over three lengths back from the victor. The gelding returns from a 23-week break, but has had two barrier trials, finishing second in the latest and whilst he will have to negotiate a wide draw nine, he makes a solid backup for the yard.

Race 7

MORPHEUS BRAGI raced three wide throughout and had to be checked at the 700M mark, as well as being reported as having a speedy cut on his off-fore cannon, when finishing seventh last time out over 1000M, 3.3L behind the winner. The form of that race has been franked and from gate six, he will be looking to chalk up his fourth career victory.

ROUGE LUNE was returning from a 13-week rest when finishing tenth last time out over 1200M, just over four lengths back from the winner, but he was trapped four wide without cover that day and was hampered at the 200M mark, so he had excuses. The gelding has drawn one inside the top pick and can complete the exacta.

YENDY is a 3-year-old filly taking on males, but she showed marked improvement when ending up in ninth spot last time out over 1200M, four and a half lengths off the winner and on that effort, she should enjoy the drop in distance. She has her peak run after returning from a 24-week rest, jumps from draw seven and should give the boys a good run for their money.

Race 8

EXCEED PERFECTION has finished second in two of his last three runs after winning over 1200M four runs back, the latest over 1600M, just a half-length behind the winner. He tried to go from jump to wire that day and from a wide draw eleven, he is likely to attempt similar frontrunning tactics today and prove hard to reel in over the closing stages. He is thus taken to be the best bet on the day’s card.

EMANCIPIST on the other hand has cracked pole position and has consistent formlines to his name, finishing second last time out over 1550M, 0.8L off the victor, this after being slow away and coming three wide into the home straight, before making good late progress over the latter stages. The gelding gets non-claiming apprentice, Zac Lloyd, son of ex-SA champion jockey, Jeff Lloyd in the irons to aid his cause.

CROSS THE RUBICON is a 6-year-old mare taking on boys, but she raced three wide in the early stages, before striking the front at the entrance to the home stretch, only to be run out of it late, finishing sixth last time out over 1400M, 4.3L adrift of the victor. She is drawn one outside the latter and should be involved in the finish.