Race-by-race preview and tips for Hawkesbury on Thursday

Selections based on a soft track.

Race 1

5. Essay is a Zousain filly that trialled well before debuting in the Lonhro Plate and being heavily backed before finishing seventh. She was immediately spelled after that and has since had two trials leading into this return for a second at this track and a win at Rosehill. She has shown the potential to be able to break through in this. 3. Viva Macaco is on debut after two good trials and won the latest of them at Wyong. He is set to run well. 1. Able Choices is also on debut after two trials and ran third in the latest behind Viva Macaco. 9. Jaipur Maison has been unplaced in four starts and ran well when a last-start fourth at Gosford.

How to play it: Essay WIN.

Race 2

3. Avalon debuts here after trialling twice and ran third in the latest of them and looks to have the talent to overcome the wide gate. 2. Spare ran a close-up second at Bathurst on debut and shouldn’t be taken lightly with the benefit of improvement. 6. Out Lady Peace has been placed in her latest three starts and can figure again with a repeat of those efforts. 5. I Am Hearts has had three trials leading into her debut run and she ran second in the latest of them at Wyong.

How to play it: Avalon WIN.

Race 3

3. Master Of War is a consistent performer with five placings from nine starts. He ran well when leading and finishing second at this track last time out and another forward showing is on the cards. 9. Pink Persuasion has six placings from eight starts and wasn’t beaten far in the latest at Illawarra Grange. This looks within reach. 1. Cool Rupert hasn’t been far away in three runs back from a break and can get into the money. 4. Ruskana ran a better race when a last-start third at Gosford.

How to play it: Master Of War WIN.

Race 4

13. Saloon Passage has had two starts back from a spell and performed well enough in both when fifth in city grade in each. She made up good ground at Canterbury last time out and is ready to win. 14. Snitzel Miss has been placed in five of 10 and was a last-start second at Kembla Grange. 5. Viva Mauricio is first-up from a spell after a trial win and is a dual city placegetter. 8. Che Ole ran well enough at Parkes last time out and can be thereabouts again.

How to play it: Saloon Passage WIN.

Race 5

1. Melanite won the Magic Millions Maiden in January and ran third at Wyong before a sixth of six at Canterbury. He resumes here after a Randwick trial win and is poised to sprint well. 2. At Her Mercy resumed with a second at Wyong when running a good race and can be prominent again. 6. Seven Days won a maiden at this track in December and was spelled after a fourth at Gosford. She’s had two trials leading into this. 9. Vittozzi was a winner at Muswellbrook in November and has won two trials in preparation for this first-up run.

How to play it: Melanite WIN.

Race 6

4. Mind Ya Bizz resumed with a strong finishing second at this track before breaking through to win a Gosford maiden last time out. Now she’s won she can go on with the job. 2. Funshow had been placed in his first four starts before winning a maiden at Newcastle by a big margin in a small field. He has the ability to be in the finish again. 1. Bernen Win ran last when resuming against tougher grade at Rosehill and can improve here. 6. Full Of Fun debuted with a Newcastle win and shouldn’t be taken lightly.

How to play it: Mind Ya Bizz WIN.

Race 7

1. Dubai Warrior win two in a row at Wyong at the end of last preparation in July last year. He had two trials before resuming with a third at Gosford and will be better for that run. 3. Squeezebox won at Illawarra Grange three starts ago and has since been placed at Gosford and this track. He’s racing well enough to give this a shake. 6. Unreal Expectation has performed well finishing second in each of his latest two starts and looms as a chance again. 7. Satono Jasmine won by a big margin at Gosford when last produced and can be thereabouts again.

How to play it: Dubai Warrior WIN.

Race 8

10. Vingt Neuf Noir is a talented filly that has had three runs back from a spell for a second and two straight wins at Newcastle and Gosford. She’s on an upward spiral and can go on with the job. 6. Honey Perfume hit the line well to score a last-start Newcastle win and she’s a consistent performer that should be hard to beat again. 5. Apollo Ridge is resuming after a Scone trial win and had a Wyong success before the break. 4. Gambler is also resuming on the back of two trials and should run a bold race.

How to play it: Vingt Neuf Noir EACH WAY.

Best Bets: Race 4 (13) Saloon Passage.

Race 5 (1) Melanite.

Best Value: Race 8 (10) Vingt Neuf Noir.

Supplied by Racing NSW