Australian racing tips – Thursday 26 September 2024 – Hawkesbury

Race 5

TENBURY WELLS has cracked pole position and had his consistency rewarded with his maiden victory last time out over 1600M by 2.3L. The colt jumped awkwardly that day, bumping another runner, but struck the front at the 250M mark to win comfortably. He takes on stronger her, but he may well be up to the task at hand.

CRISTAL CLEAR has only had four runs to date, but goes for his hat-trick after two wins over 1600M, the latest by a length, this despite jumping awkwardly. He on the other hand is drawn wide in gate ten, but nevertheless, the trio is very much on the cards.

FLEET COMMANDER has finished fourth in his last two outings over today’s journey, the latest 2.2L back from the winner. The gelding kicked clear at the 300M mark, only to be run out of it late. He faces a wider gate eleven, but he should use his early gate speed to move across without expending too much energy.

Race 6

ADMITTED has only had two runs, winning on debut over 1000M and then finishing seventh next time out over the same sprint trip, six and a half lengths off the victor, but that was in a Group 3 event. He showed plenty of toe that day and was immediately rested for 46 weeks. The gelding returns here after having had two barrier trials, winning the first and finishing third in the latest and the fact that his connections have brought him back into racing after such a lengthy absence would seem to suggest that they believe that he still has something more to offer them. He gets the services of non-claiming apprentice, Zac Lloyd, son of ex-SA champion jockey, Jeff Lloyd and is taken to be the best bet on the day’s card.

CASSIEL won over 1000M three runs back, finished seventh in his penultimate start over 1100M and then tenth in his latest outing over 1200M, just over four lengths behind the winner, but he jumped awkwardly in that event, finding himself towards the back of the field, before staying on well over the closing stages. The gelding returns from a 21-week break, but he has had two barrier trials, winning the latest to showcase his well-being. From one gate outside the top pick, he could be his biggest danger.

HYDROMETER has consistent formlines to his name and followed up his penultimate run victory over 1200M with a third-place finish next time out over 1the same distance, two lengths back from the winner, but he jumped awkwardly, bumping another runner on that occasion. He recovered quickly to take up the lead, only to be collared over the latter stages. The gelding returns from a shorter 16-week rest, but has finished fourth in his only barrier trial and from his handy draw two, he should be involved in the finish.

Race 7

This looks to be a tricky F&M Handicap with plenty of runners in with a realistic chance of finding the winner’s box, so some caution is suggested. RANTAN won over 1000M three runs back, finished sixth in her penultimate start over 1100M and then seventh in her latest outing over 1200M, 5.7L adrift of the winner, but she had nothing go her way that day. The filly was crowded at the start, had to be checked off the heels of another runner at the 400M mark and then came three wide into the home straight, so she had her excuses. She does face a wide draw nine, but the form of that last race has been franked to boost her credentials.

GLORIOSO put his disappointing penultimate start over 1000M behind her when winning by one length next time out over 1100M. She returns from a 17-week absence, but has had the benefit of a barrier trial and could give Zac Lloyd his second winner in the day’s Jackpot. He is sure to put her pole position to good use.

MISS COUVER was slow away and never really got into the race when ending up in sixth spot last time out over 1100M, 5.3L behind the winner, but she finished third in a subsequent barrier trial. Although draw wideish in gate eight, she should not be lightly dismissed.

Race 8

The day’s value bet, FLYING RANI is a 5-year-old mare taking on the boys, but she raced just behind the leaders and then kicked clear of the field at the 350M pole before holding off the chasing pack in the dash down to the wire to win her last start over 1300M by 0.8L. She has pulled a useful gate two and could prove hard to topple.

TAVS was slow away and then did not get the clearest of passages in the home straight before finishing tenth last time out over 1400M, just over six lengths behind the winner, so that effort is best ignored. The gelding has his peak run after returning from a 19-week rest and whilst drawn wide in gate eleven, he should be doing his best work late.

BE REAL is a 4-year-old filly who followed up her penultimate run victory over 1800M with a second-place finish next time out over 2000M, beaten just a head, but it should be noted that she had to be steadied off the heels of another runner at the 700M pole that day. She has her first run after returning from a 15-week break, but has had two barrier trials and although drawn wideish in gate eight, on the plus side she will have 2kgs taken off her back thanks to her claiming apprentice.