Continue your week with our Hawkesbury best bets, highlighting the key runners to help you find an edge!
ADAPTATION (1) showed enough fresh at Canterbury over the 1200m trip last month to suggest he’s still got improvement to come.
That distance was clearly short of his best, and he should appreciate getting back on a dry deck this time with Kegan Latham sticking.
The soft gate is a big plus and it should afford the pair to settle closer to the speed this time.
| 1. Adaptation (3) J: Keagan Latham 59kg 339×4T: Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou | |||
| Second run back. First-up after five months from last on the turn 4th of 7 at Canterbury 2&3yo C&G Mdn on July 22 over 1200m, slow going 2.75 len behind Persian Wonder with 57.5kg at $12. Previously second-up 3rd of 11 at Newcastle Mdn-Sw on January 24 over 1500m, 1.5 len behind Sinister with 57.5kg at $4. Rates highly and can do much better this time. | |||
INCEPTION (9) looks a big improver coming off a runner-up effort at Wyong a few weeks ago.
The son to Russian Revolution was fast into stride and stuck on well, tactics Ashley Morgan will be looking to replicate from a handy inside gate this time.
He’s another one that should appreciate a dry track in a race that holds a stack of chances.
| 9. Inception (2) J: Ashley Morgan 56.5kg 02042T: Nathan Doyle | |||
| Form hard to fault. At the latest run held ground to the line 2nd of 10 at Wyong Bm64 on July 23 over 1600m, on a slow track; nose behind Dubai Warrior carrying 56kg at $7.50. The start before that 4th of 11 at Scone Bm66 on July 10 over 1400m, on a slow track; 7 len behind Arapawa with 60.5kg at $11. Rates highly and a win looks imminent. | |||
UNION (5) is worth another chance with a better gate at his disposal second-up.
The wide run cost him when he was caught without cover at Kembla Grange over 100m shorter, but he should be better for that effort after showing some nice late speed to grab third.
Off nearly a four-week break between runs, he rates highly for Team Snowden with improvement still to come.
| 5. Union (5) J: Rachel King 55.5kg 5×3T: Peter Snowden | |||
| Third race start. First start sat on the speed and boxed on steadily 5th of 8 at Canberra 2yo Hcp on February 6 over 1000m, 5 len behind Music Time with 57kg at $5.50. Went for a break before returning 3rd of 8 at Kembla Grange 2yo Mdn-Sw on July 16 over 1000m, 2.5 len behind Hearts Affair with 57kg at $4.40. Maps well again and fitter now. | |||
CASTLEJOHN (1) likes to get forward and test his luck on the speed, so the awkward gate shouldn’t be much of an issue.
He won quite well on debut at Warwick Farm over this journey back in March and then found plenty of excuses up in trip to round out his prep.
His leadup trials have been mixed but after showing some ability as a three-year-old, he rates the deserving favourite.
| 1. Castlejohn (10) J: Chad Schofield 61.5kg 16xT: Joseph Pride | |||
| Resuming after a four-and-a-half months break. Finished off last campaign sixth of 9 at Warwick Farm Bm72 April 1 over 1200m, soft track; 2.75 len behind Call Me Gorgeous with 57kg at $2.50. On debut favourite; won by neck Warwick Farm Super Mdn-Sw March 11 over 1100m slow track defeating Metallic Cat with 58.5kg at $13. Prefer to see how he returns. | |||