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Selections and best bets from Chris Scholtz for the Hawkesbury Cup meeting on May 2 plus Trial Watch and Blackbook runners.
HAWKESBURY May 2
Best Bets
RACE 5 - (2) GOLDEN STRAAND: This talented 4YO appeals as one of the most progressive runners on this tough program after resuming from a five months break with a dominant 1100m win at Warwick Farm. Impressed with the way he surged clear under 59kg after making a long run four and five wide from the back half over the last 600m. He's unbeaten second-up, rises only 1kg in the same class and is drawn to stalk the expected hot pace.
RACE 6 – (9) KARINSKA: Classy filly is ready to take it up to the colts after her Group efforts over the autumn against her own sex. She was having her first outing for six weeks when a luckless third in the G3 James Carr (1400m) at Randwick on April 18 where she would have gone close to winning with a clear crack over the last 200m. She's good enough to take advantage of the allowance the fillies get under these set weights conditions.
RACE 8 – (5) VIVY AIR: A strong trial win at Wyong last week has this high class mare primed to bounce off her Doncaster Handicap tenth, an effort that can be dismissed as she lost her momentum on the home turn. She was an outstanding first-up third at her previous start in the G1 Coolmore Classic (1500m) at Rosehill where she steamed home to be beaten only a half length after changing course while running the fastest last 200m of the race. She's drawn to get in run favours and rates as the one to beat on her Coolmore form.
Selections
RACE 1: (2) THE ROARING SUN; (1) Tenenbaum; (3) Nations League; (8) Fondness
RACE 2: (6) OAKFIELD ALASKA; (1) Olympian; (2) Aristocrat; (9) Shyamalan
RACE 3: (8) STRAWBERRY IMPACT; (5) Swift Legend; (13) Viewpoint; (4) Audrey's Lane
RACE 4: (10) SACRIFY; (3) Tazima; (11) Natoya; (4) Aix En Provence
RACE 5: (2) GOLDEN STRAAND; (4) Wanaruah; (3) Sweethearted; (14) Couples Retreat
RACE 6: (9) KARINSKA; (6) Regal Award; (1) Skyhook; (4) Buffalo
RACE 7: (5) COCO JAMBOO; (4) Oh Diamond Lil; (17e) Surfin' Bird; (11) Chidiac
RACE 8: (5) VIVY AIR; (9) Taken; (10) Shohisha; (14) Captain Furai
RACE 9: (6) OUR KOBISON; (9) Monte Supreme; (5) Catch The Glory; (14) Colourful Emperor
RACE 10: (7) HYPERBOLIC; (16) Our Queen; (11) Spione; (19e) Estremo
Why They Can Win….
RACE 1 - (2) THE ROARING SUN: Raw talent building for the Brisbane carnival. Will get better with every run.
RACE 2 - (6) OAKFIELD ALASKA: Impressive country wins. Ready for this weak Highway.
RACE 3 - (8) STRAWBERRY IMPACT: Back in class on his home track. Right distance for him third up.
RACE 4 – (10) SACRIFY: Better for his first-up placing. Could steal this from the front under light weight.
RACE 7 – (5) COCO JAMBOO: Won this race two years ago. Close to that form again.
RACE 9 – (8) OUR KOBISON: Cracking effort first-up. Conditions suit in a real speed test.
RACE 10 – (7) HYPERBOLIC: Excellent course and distance form. Rates highly on his home track.
TRIAL WATCH REPORT
NOTED TRIAL WATCH RUNNERS – May 2-4
HAWKESBURY SATURDAY: Tenenbaum (R1); The Roaring Sun (R1); Regal Award (R6); Oh Diamond Lil (R7); Chica Mojito (R7); Surfin' Bird (R7/R10); Vivy Air (R8); Churchill's Choice (R8); Gumdrops (R9); Hurstville Zagreb (R10); Sly Boots (R10)
EAGLE FARM SATURDAY: Seeiaye (R6); Reserve Bank (R8); Private Harry (R8); Warnie (R8); Lady Of Camelot (R8)
NEWCASTLE SATURDAY: National News (R2); Alphard (R3)
RECENT TRIAL WATCH WINNERS: Eton; Bello Cavallo; Call Me Zeus; gatha; Rotagilla; Midnight Dynamite; Go Glenn; Found The Gold; Supermassive; Man Of Worth; Events; Beiwacht; Hammoon Heroine; Champere; Golden Straand; Viewpoint; Tempted; Cherry Bomshell; Probability Theory; Spione; La Basilique; Extremely Tempted; Point And Shoot; Blitzgal; Plaintiff; Joliestar; Blue Door; Call Me Mojo; Just Response; Maidoff
TRIAL POINTERS
WYONG April 24: High class mare VIVY AIR enjoyed her work winning her 1200m heat. She had plenty in reserve in what was nothing more than a solid conditioning trial as she prepares for a wide variety of feature race options over the next six weeks.
WARWICK FARM April 23: Classy 4YO RESERVE BANK has not been seen since he capped an impressive 3YO season with a win in the G1 Goodwood in Adelaide last May. This was just his second trial in 12 months after his first six weeks ago and his talent was obvious as he came from three pairs back on the rail to finish a close second in his 821m heat (49.65; 34.42), making up five lengths with little effort over the last 300m. He can only improve on this quality piece of work.
RANDWICK April 21: ZEALOUSLY has good prospects in short course sprints after leading from start to finish with a strong gallop in his 1045m heat (62.06; 34.15). He's now had two trials since he last raced at the Magic Millions at the Gold Coast in January and given his good form lines around the likes of Rey Magnerio and King's Secret should be respected in a suitable sprint first-up. The good class sprinters WAY TO THE STARS and BEV'S NINE worked keenly to finish 1-2 in their 1045m heat (62.67; 34.35).
ROSEHILL April 17: One of Sydney's most genuine mares OH DIAMOND LIL is back on track after an interruption to her training after a trial win in February forced her to miss the autumn carnival. She's ready to go again after a classy win in the fastest 1030m heat (62.32; 34.53), doing it easily in the lead from start to finish with good response when given a little squeeze over the last 200m.
CANTERBURY April 10: There were numerous good trials by some classy performers, not the least being the Golden Slipper winner LADY OF CAMELOT showing her natural speed to win a fast 900m heat (53.92; 33.71) in her just her second trial since her 12 months break from racing. PRIVATE HARRY is another class act returning from an enforced break and stable change to Chris Waller. He did enough to win the fastest 900m heat (53.35; 34.10) while still looking below peak fitness as he was pushed out to win after taking the sit off the leader. The closing effort of WARNIE was the one making an impression. The 2YO heats over 900m and 898m were full of potential winners including SEEIAYE (55.48; 34.95).
WARWICK FARM March 30: A strong 821m heat (48.73; 33.94) saw SURFIN' BIRD look open to plenty of improvement on her easy effort. A good winner for the Waterhouse/Bott stable was SLY BOOTS in her heat over 745m (45.94; 35.01).
RANDWICK February 19: The open heats over 1050m featured some eye catching efforts. CHICA MOJITO motored to the line from the rear for second in his heat (62.88; 33.87),
CANTERBURY February 6: Honest mare OH DIAMOND LIL is ready to go fresh after another quality piece of work to win the fastest 1106m heat (66.55; 34.78) by a big space. Her rivals couldn't go with her over the last 600m as she ran freely to cruise home unextended by more than five lengths.
WARWICK FARM January 22: Genuine pace in a classy 900m heat in fast time for the heavy conditions as OH DIAMOND LIL had company to clear out to lead by eight lengths on the turn. They kept running with the mare holding her ground for second.
ROSEHILL January 2: ZEALOUSLY won the fastest 1030m trial (61.02; 34.32) from the front.
BLACKBOOK REPORT
BLACKBOOK RUNNERS – May 2-3
EAGLE FARM SATURDAY: Belvedere Boys (R4); The Next Episode (R6); Splash Back (R8); Charcoals (R9); Robrick (R9); Harbourmaster (R9)
HAWKESBURY SATURDAY: Aix En Provence (R4); Buffalo (R6); Karinska (R6); Bird Whistle (R6); Horseshoe Hill (R6); Bauhinia (R7); Vivy Air (R8)
MORPHETTVILLE SATURDAY: After Summer (R8)
NEWCASTLE SATURDAY: Wild Thoughts (R5)
ROCKHAMPTON SUNDAY: Harbourmaster; The Inflictor
BLACKBOOKERS (Selected April 25 - Follow Next 3 Starts)
SYDNEY: BELLA MONTAGNA; CHILLI MARGS; KEEN TO EXCEED; OUR GOLD HOPE
MELBOURNE: MARBLE ARCH
ADELAIDE: EXTRAGALACTIC; MAISY; NEW YORK LUSTRE; SIXTEEN REASONS
BRISBANE: AURIC STAR; NAVYONTHEHIGHWAY; NIGHTLINE
RECENT BLACKBOOK WINNERS: Bello Cavallo; Brave Monarch; Matias; Silvasista; Smexy; Diameter; Certify; Too Darn Discreet; Autumn Boy; Aeliana; Salty Pearl; Scampi; Chidiac; Pinito; Scheelite; Chayan; Supercilious; Birdman; Verona Rose; My Phar Lady; Green Fly; Warrior For Peace; Bengal Diamond; Fingers Hunter