Sumatra was scratched from a tougher race at Canterbury on Wednesday to instead run here, and I think that it will prove to be the correct decision.
Sumatra hasn’t been seen at the races since March, but she stamped herself as one to watch during her debut prep, finishing second behind Counttheheadlights at The Valley on debut, and she was far from disgraced in black type company.
She’s had the benefit of a couple of trials in the lead-up to her return and this looks an ideal launchpad.
Song Writer rates as another winning chance for Godolphin at Hawkesbury this afternoon.
The Medaglia D’Oro mare has made only one appearance at the races so far, but hit the line well to finish just over a length behind the winner at Newcastle.
Her recent trials have been good and the booking of James McDonald certainly doesn’t hinder her chances today.
Matlock steps out at Hawkesbury today in peak order and ready to win again.
The Waterhouse & Bott-trained gelding broke his maiden here at Hawkesbury when resuming this time, and though he was a little flat second-up, he was unlucky not to get there in BM64 company last time.
With even luck today, this really does look the perfect race for him.
I concede that early favourite Cross Talk will be tough to toss, but I thought that Skyman was a live chance in the Rowley Mile, and the $10 about him at publish is a touch of overs.
The Mukhadram gelding has made races like this one his bread and butter in recent seasons, and he was last seen winning the McKell Cup.
He’s been freshened since that run and had a couple of trials in the lead-up to this return, and he can have an each-way play at the price.