Australian racing tips – Wednesday 12 February 2025 – Hawkesbury

Race 4

There are five unraced runners in the field, so as is always the case in these types of races, a keen eye should be kept on the betting markets to get some indication as to whether any of the connections believe that they can win first time out. Any betting support for a runner or runners should be respected. Of the raced runners, two 3yr old fillies could fight out the finish and complete the exacta, but SENSATIONAL WIND may well prove to be the better.

She has only had the two runs, finishing fifth on debut over 1200M and then fifth again over the same c&d, just over three and a half lengths behind the winner, but she was badly hampered at the start and came the widest of them all into the home straight, so she had her excuses. She stayed on well that day and the form of that race has been franked. The filly would have come on further with that run under her belt and from gate five, she looks to be the one to side within this line-up.

GYRA is the stable companion of the top choice and has also only had two runs to date, finishing second first time out over 1200M and then sixth next time out over 1400M, just over two and a half lengths behind the winner, but she had to be held up at the 400M mark and then hung in down the home straight. She is drawn one inside the former and makes a solid back-up for the yard.

HURSTVILLE ZAGREB makes his debut after having had five barrier trials, finishing second in the last two. He gets gate six and if not too green, he could make a winning start to his career.

Race 5

NOMORENIGHTSHIFT has cracked pole position and has won four out of his five starts to date, the latest over 1200M by just under a half-length. He struck the front at the top of the home straight that day and then fought off all the late challengers in the dash down to the wire. The form of that race has stood up well with two runners out of that contest subsequently winning and with 2kgs taken off his back thanks to his claiming apprentice, he will be hoping to continue his winning streak here.

FORTINGALL followed up his penultimate start victory over 1400M with a nineth place finish next time out over 1200M, 8.8L back from the victor, but he was returning from a 21 week rest that day and raced three wide without cover. The form of that race has however been franked and from gate five, he should be right up there when they hit the line.

ZARIZATYCOON has won two of his last three outings, the latest when finishing best from just off the pace by just over a length and a half over 1400M. The gelding jumps from a handy gate three and should be included in all bets.

Race 6

The day’s best bet, JUST IN TIME put her disappointing penultimate start over 1600M behind her when finishing fifth next time out over 1200M, 1.3L back from the winner. She was having her first run for her new trainer, but jumped awkwardly and was bumped shortly after the start. Thereafter, she did not get the clearest of passages in the home straight, so a line should be drawn through that effort.

The filly gets a useful gate three and could give trainer Ciaron Maher his second winner in the day’s Jackpot, should the top pick win the opening leg. CANNY QUEEN showed solid improvement to win her last start over 1400M by just under a half length. She finished strongly for a well time victory and will be having her peak run after returning from an 18 week break. From gate five, she could emerge as the biggest threat to the top choice.

OH GOLLY GOSH has finished second in two of her last three outings, the latest over 1400M, just under a half-length back from the winner and the form of that race has been franked. The mare has her peak run after returning from a shorter 14-week rest and although drawn wideish in gate eight, she should be involved in the finish.

Race 7

MONEY TEAM had his consistency rewarded to win his maiden race last time out over 1200M by a half-length. He kicked clear of the field at the 100M mark and then held on courageously to secure the victory. The gelding was returning from a 37-week spell that day and having his first run for his new trainer.

From gate five and having 1.5kgs removed from his allocated weight courtesy of his claiming apprentice, he will be taking on stronger here, but may well be up to the task at hand and is taken to be the value bet on the day’s card. SNEAKY SOFIA is a 3yr old filly taking on the boys, but she won her penultimate start over 1100M and then finished seventh next time out over the same sprint trip, 7.2L adrift of the victor, but she was reported to have faulted at the 900M pole in that event.

She has pulled a cozy draw three and gets the services of a 1,5kg claiming apprentice, as well as having her peak run after returning from a 16-week rest. POWER OF THE BRAVE showed plenty of toe when ending up in seventh spot last time out over 1200M, 3.3L behind the winner. He gets a greater 2kgs taken off his back thanks to his claiming apprentice and from gate seven, he could complete the trifecta.