Tips and race by race preview by Ray Hickson for Thursday’s Hawkesbury meeting. Selections based on a good to soft track.

Race 1 - 1:05PM HRC MOTEL 4YO&UP MAIDEN PLATE (1500 METRES)

5. Tuffask had his first run for the new stable and hit the line with some purpose into second at Kembla last week on a heavy track. If he can replicate that on a firmer track, he has a good chance to break through. The trip poses no worries.
Dangers: 7. Carolina Fire was sent out favourite first-up at Goulburn (provincial level) and had no luck at a vital stage, probably should have finished in the placings. Fitter for that and is well worth another chance. 2. Deniliquin made some ground then went a bit one-paced late at Goulburn fresh. Fitter and open to improvement in a winnable race. 4. Straya Pride has been around the placings of late, seemed to have his chance as favourite over a mile here last time but is in the mix again.
How to play it: Tuffask WIN; Trifecta 5/2,4,7/2,4,7. Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Race 2 - 1:40PM LADIES DAY 4 NOV 4YO&UP MAIDEN HANDICAP (1300 METRES)

1. For Valour showed some promise early, running second to Private Eye on debut. Latest trials have been good enough to suggest he can be hard to beat fresh in a race that looks to have only a few winning chances.
Dangers: 8. Vitae was no match for the winner second-up at Newcastle but did hit the line well into second. Major drifter in betting there, so expect her to be even fitter, and from gate one looks a threat. 7. Our Lancette was well-supported at Wyong last time and only worked home fairly behind the placegetters. She’s been threatening to do something this prep, with three fourths, so worth keeping in mind. 3. Fine Impact hasn’t done a lot on race day as yet but he looked good in a trial here a few weeks back, rolling along at his leisure. Plenty of gear changes and could be an improver.
How to play it: For Valour WIN; Trifecta 1/ 3,7,8/3,7,8. Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Race 3 - 2:20PM LANDER TOYOTA PROV & CTRY MAIDEN PLATE (1300 METRES)

7. Adelinda ran a little below expectation first-up but wasn’t disgraced then signalled a win isn’t far off with a closing effort here just over a week ago. Nicely drawn and everything suggests the trip will be to her liking. Good chance.
Dangers: 10. What A Peach finished half a length in front of Adelinda first-up then seemed to have her chance at Gosford when runner-up as a $2.30 chance. Perhaps she wants the extra trip too and is worth another shot. 8. Hot Dancing has been freshened up since a couple of runs in September, including an even fourth on a heavy track at Orange. Newcastle debut was OK and looks an each-way chance. 4. Grand Palazzo hit the line hard second-up at Moruya but was very flat at Nowra last weekend when well fancied. She is better than that and could be a sharp improver if she backs up.
How to play it: Adelinda WIN; Quinella 7 & 10. Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Race 4 - 2:55PM FOWLER CIVIL CONTRACTING CLASS 1 HANDICAP (1000 METRES)

6. Illustrating Law did everything right for the first time in three starts when he led all the way at Gosford a couple of weeks ago. Up in class naturally but drawn to be handy again and should have his chance to repeat the effort.
Dangers: 8. Smirnova was sent out favourite on debut at Newcastle and had a nice run before finishing too well to score over 900m. Looks promising and is the logical horse to beat. 3. Tympanist was a heavy-track winner here in June and showed readiness with a solid trial win at Rosehill recently. If the 1000m isn’t too sharp under race conditions he could feature in the finish. 5. Flash Point ran a couple of nice placings last time in and trialled quite well behind Splintex last month. Blinkers off and drawn soft, one to keep an eye on.
How to play it: Illustrating Law E/W. Odds & Evens: EVENS.