Horse Racing Preview Weekend 02 05

In this weekly horse racing preview the ThoroughbredNEWS team take a fresh look at the form ahead of the weekend’s domestic and international action. We hope to get a good run for our money, the experts certainly are of the opinion that they’ve unearthed some interesting points of view and as such these…

Friday

Wagga Race 4 – 2:30pm MTC Guineas-3YO Benchmark 72 Handicap (1600m)

TACT showed plenty of intestinal fortitude to land a maiden at Kembla Grange at his latest start when placed under pressure all the way down the lengthy straight before opening up his winning account. An untapped son of The Autumn Sun trained by Richard & Will Freedman, the gelding responded well under the urgings of Kerrin McEvoy who heads to the signature Murrumbidgee Turf Club meeting to keep the ride as well as fulfil other engagements. Tact looks to be heading in the right direction at a relatively early stage of his career and there’s good reason to believe he’ll only go forward after showing plenty of spirit at just this second start this campaign.

Saturday

Hawkesbury Race 6 – 2:15pm Group 3 Sand & Soil Hawkesbury Guineas (1400m)

The lightly raced O’Shea and Charlton trained filly CANDLEWICK is stepping up to black type company with the good record of three wins and a second from her four starts. The stable have spaced her runs and she comes to Saturday after a win over 1400m on the Kensington Course at Randwick in December and another victory at Warwick Farm over 1200m with 59kg under Zac Lloyd on April 16th. She carries 54kg under Lloyd on Saturday with barrier three. 

Hawkesbury Race 7 – 2:50pm Group 3 Pioneer Services Hawkesbury Crown (1300m)

Peter Snowden’s TASHI has placed four times in black type racing, plus run fourth on two other occasions to go with her four wins. The Crown is another opportunity for the five-year-old Sebring mare to claim a win at this level. She comes off one of those fourths in the Group 2 Sapphire Stakes over 1200m at Randwick on April 12th. Reece Jones rides with barrier 2.

Hawkesbury Race 8 – 3:25 Group 3 Hawkesbury Gold Cup (1600m)

MY OBERON (Ire) has his share of weight to shoulder in the Hawkesbury Cup but he’s deserved it. A multiple Group 1 placegetter, the seasoned son of Dubawi has finished close-up behind the likes of Mr Brightside (NZ), Fangirl, Ceolwulf (NZ), Pride of Jenni and Co., and is a mighty fine galloper on his day. My Oberon (Ire) might be one run short to fight out the finish of Saturday’s feature, but he is the perfect type to take to a Brisbane Winter Carnival where trainer Annabel Neasham has recorded many of her finest results to date. Stick with him!

Eagle Farm Race 7 – 3:33pm  Group 2 SKY Racing Queensland Guineas  (1600m)

DEPTH OF CHARACTER carried 61.5kg to victory when he was switched from Sydney to Brisbane to commence a Queensland Winter Carnival campaign. Beforehand, the son of Deep Field had stayed on late behind Evaporate (NZ) and Swiftfalcon in the Carbine Club at Group 3 level, and contested the Randwick Guineas won by Linebacker (NZ) and Broadsiding. While Depth of Character was not in their league, he’s a very capable galloper over a mile and is drawn to run another prominent race on Saturday having already proven effective over the course and distance.