HAWKESBURY GOLD CUP G3
RACE 8 - 1600m

WATERFORD / TAKEN / AMOR VICTORIOUS

Chris Waller's seven-year-old gelding, WATERFORD, appears to be ideally positioned in this event and at these tidy odds well worth entertaining. The ATWAAD gelding, under the guidance of its astute trainer, remains in Sydney following two commendable performances at Eagle Farm a year prior. Raced away to win the Gr.2 Shannon Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill in September before a few difficult runs for little reward. Tommy Berry aboard and really could be a seeious threat in this. We Waller is expecting a big effort as a strong 2nd-up performer.

☆☆☆☆

The New Zealand-bred galloper TAKEN by the sire ARDROSSAN won four races in a row to close out his last campaign, and he picked up where he left off with a first-up victory at Caulfield, then came back in January to win there over 1700m. Originally prepared in New Zealand by Sam Mynott, Taken was sold to the Price-Kent stable following a trial win at Tauranga. Rock solid chasing over the mile at Flemington and 2nd again in the Anniversary Vase at Caulfield sticking to the mile. From this gate certainly appears to be a strong contender.

☆☆☆

Josh Parr will have his work cut out for him jumping from this sticky barrier with AMOR VICTORIOUS, but the Bjorn Baker trained gelding does go well fresh up and can win with a dominant performance.
☆☆

HAWKESBURY GUINEAS G3
RACE 6 - 1400m

KARINSKA / SKY HOOK / REGAL AWARD

Need to look closely at KARINSKA, owned by the same crowd who have ESTREMO, so expect the latter to start in the last. KARINSKA was a 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast yearling purchase, with the SPIRIT OF BOOM filly very well named by her “all ladies” ownership group being out of Sebring mare SHOW SOME LEG. She won over 1200m at Canterbury Park early in 2025, then 3rd behind APOCALYPTIC in the Gr.1 Flight Stakes (1600m) in October. Knocked about in the 1000 Guineas and a certainty beaten last start in the James Carr when badly checked and held up. Tommy on, looms as a great bet.

☆☆☆☆

SKYHOOK, a WRITTEN TYCOON colt trained by Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou won the Listed ROSEBUD resuming and was simply too good, then came back to chase home TEMPTED for 3rd in the Run to the Rose and a 4th in the Gr.1 Golden Rose when wide with no cover. Ran 5th in the Gr.1 Coolmore in November, then returned for a 5th in the Munro and 6th in the Arrowfield. Super sharp at best and can feature with a smoother run in transit but really needs to step it up now. Two runs back and must be ripe to show something now, but the draw won't make it an easy task.

☆☆☆

Hard to find a knock on REGAL AWARD from the Phillip Stokes yard who was strong to the line in the South Pacific Stakes (1400m) at Randwick last start and has delivered a solid trial since. The OLE KIRK gelding won his maiden over 1300m at Sandown last September then again up to the mile at Caulfield almost walking in. Swooped on late by PANOVA at Flemington and that horse became a G1 winner last weekend. Could be sharp enough now to play a role but will need to go to another level in this.

HAWKESBURY CROWN G3
RACE 7 - 1300m

OH DIAMOND LIL / SURFIN BIRD / OUR QUEEN

HAWKESBURY GOLD RUSH (L)
RACE 9 - 1100m

WAY TO THE STARS / BEV'S NINE / GUMDROPS

CLAREDON STAKES (L)
RACE 1 - 1400m

TENENBAUM / THE ROARING SUN / FONDNESS