3 minute read
Feature racing goes provincial in New South Wales this weekend for 2024 Hawkesbury Gold Cup Day!
For more racing and sports previews, visit the Ladbrokes Blog.
Four black type features headline the program, but all ten races have drawn quality fields and there is value to be found in betting.
Check out my full preview and Hawkesbury Gold Cup Day tips below.
RACE 1 - 11:20AM: 2YO Clarendon Stakes (1400m)
I'm going to have something small on the well-bred Great White Shark in this year's Clarendon Stakes.
By Snitzel and out of Arabian Gold, Great White Shark was decent at the trials prior to debuting, but he clearly needed his first competitive experience at Canterbury last month, finishing fourth behind Imperial Force.
With improvement and getting out in trip, I think this is a nice race for him.
1 Unit Great White Shark
RACE 2 - 11:55AM: Midway Handicap (1500m)
Danish Prince has been on the improve with each start since resuming and I am happy to give him another chance on Hawkesbury Gold Cup Day.
The Dane Shadow gelding hit the line behind Elettrica at Rosehill two back before only just missing in the Wellington Cup last time out.
The trip looks ideal, and these Midway races do look to be his level.
1 Unit Danish Prince
RACE 3 - 12:30PM: Highway Handicap (1500m)
Gentileschi has recorded two wins from as many starts back from a break and can win this week's Highway race.
The Dundeel fully was an easy winner in maiden company at her local Scone track first-up this time and franked that effort with another dominant won in BM58 company.
Fitter third-up and out to the 1500m, she can continue her rise through the grades.
2 Units Gentileschi
RACE 4 - 1:05PM: Blakes Marine BM78 Handicap (1800m)
Kureder is third-up and primed to strike at Hawkesbury.
The Ocean Park gelding finished down the order in BM78 company at his first run back but turned in a vastly improved performance to finish second, beaten half a length over 1550m at Canterbury last time.
He's a horse that has tended to find his best form a few runs into his preparations and getting out to the 1800m this week looks ideal.
2 Units Kureder
RACE 5 - 1:40PM: Listed Hawkesbury Gold Rush (1100m)
This is a strong edition of the Hawkesbury Gold Rush with plenty of winning chances engaged, including the resuming Doull.
Doull hasn't been seen at the races since October, but he turned in two nice performances during his first prep for Annabel Neasham, peaking with an impressive win in the Group 2 Caulfield Sprint.
He's had two nice trials in the lead-up to this and the booking of James McDonald adds further confidence.
2 Units Doull
RACE 6 - 2:15PM: Group 3 Hawkesbury Crown (1300m)
She will need plenty of luck from the wide draw, but I'm still keen to be with Willinga Beat in the Hawkesbury Crown.
She's always hinted at above-average ability, and she was unlucky not to win in black type company earlier in her career, but Willinga Beast has turned in some very smart efforts this time in.
Two runs back, she finished off extremely well just two and a half lengths behind the winner in a Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes and a repeat of that performance would see her into the finish of something like this.
2 Units E/W Willinga Beast
RACE 7 - 2:50PM: Group 3 Hawkesbury Guineas (1400m)
Butch Cassidy has improved for two runs back from a break and represents value in Hawkesbury Guineas betting, in my opinion ($9 at publish).
The Written Tycoon colt finished sixth, beaten a little under three lengths in the Star Kingdom Stakes first-up from a break before running within half a length in the South Pacific Classic on Day 2 of The Championships.
Fitter third-up, I can't find a reason why he won't be in the finish.
2 Units E/W Butch Cassidy
RACE 8 - 3:25PM: Group 3 Hawkesbury Gold Cup (1600m)
Nugget was excellent in the Doncaster Mile last time out and the Hawkesbury Gold Cup is a perfect feature race for him.
The Siyouni gelding hasn't won a race for a short while, but he has continued to improve noticeably with each of three back this time, and after gaining a start as the field's first emergency, he stormed home to finish within a length of Celestial Legend last time out.
He's been kept up to the mark with a trial since that race and needs only even luck in running to be in the finish again.
3 Units Nugget
RACE 9 - 4:05PM: The Lawn Shed BM88 Handicap (1400m)
Kibou's previous first-up target was abandoned at Randwick a couple of weeks ago and he will instead launch his campaign in the penultimate on Hawkesbury Gold Cup Day.
Kibou boasts an excellent fresh record, and his two trials leading up to this return have been very sharp.
With a view towards something bigger and betting, I'm confident he can make a winning return.
3 Units Kibou
RACE 10 - 4:45PM: Clarendon Tavern BM78 Handicap (1100m)
Chilli Filly resumes in a winnable race at Hawkesbury on Saturday.
The daughter of Vancouver is yet to miss placing in four career starts, winning twice and finding form around some classy opposition in races not dissimilar to this.
She's had a couple of trials leading up to this and can use it as a springboard into something stronger.
2 Units Chilli Filly
