HAWKESBURY and EAGLE FARM PREVIEWS with Chris Scholtz – May 4

Selections and best bets from Chris Scholtz for the Hawkesbury Cup meeting on May 4 plus best bets and value Plays for the Queensland Guineas meeting at Eagle Farm.

EAGLE FARM May 4 (Soft 5)

Best Bets

RACE 2 (15) MISTERKIPCHOGE: Dual acceptor expected to target this race second up for top stable.  He was doing his best work late when first up over 1400m in black type company at Randwick and is sure to have taken benefit from the run. Meets older horses but he’s a promising 3YO with ample scope to improve over this extra distance under his light weight.

RACE 6 (3) EMBASSY: Rates among the best maiden 2YOs in Sydney after matching it with some classy youngsters in his first two starts. Impressive trial win at Warwick Farm points to him being ready for a big Brisbane campaign.

For Value

RACE 9 (8) PORT LOCKROY: Rates well with improvement to come off his luckless Sydney efforts in the right races since resuming. Drawn wide but is the type who will appreciate galloping room on this big track. Follow him through the carnival.

HAWKESBURY May 4

TRACK RATING: Good 4 – (8am Friday – downgrade expected); Forecast – Up to 35mm of rain forecast for Richmond region for Friday/Saturday); Rail True

Best Bets

RACE 5 – (4) PARISAL: Multiple Group winner is primed to add to her excellent record off two classy trials. She’s unbeaten in three 1100m starts, has won twice when first-up and she’s proven on affected tracks. Suspect the Godolphin stable has bided their time waiting for the right race to launch her into the Brisbane carnival.

RACE 7 – (7) KONASANA: Impressive Dundeel filly went to a new level second up when she revelled in the heavy ground to bolt away from a G3 field in the James Carr over 1400m at Randwick for her third win in eight starts. She’s won both her starts on wet tracks and if the forecast is right there is no reason why she won’t can’t maintain that record.

RACE 9 – (17) FALL FOR CINDY: Closed off nicely from an awkward position when resuming for third over 1400m at Warwick Farm carrying 58.5kg. She jumps a class or two but with the claim for Jett Stanley she’ll be carrying only 50.5kg, giving her a massive weight advantage over her main rivals on what could be a testing track late in the day. On a tough day when value is key she makes a lot of appeal as she boasts multiple wins on soft tracks and is unbeaten in two second up attempts.

Selections

RACE 1: (2) TRAFALGAR SQUARE; (5) Monte Veebee; (1) Commanding Artist; (9) Canara

RACE 2: (5) GO TROPPO; (4) Danish Prince; (6) Putt For Dough; (14) Callistemon

RACE 3: (9) GENTILESCHI; (2) Bandasha; (6) Tokyo Run; (5) Stormy Witness

RACE 4: (3) KUREDER; (1) Toesonthenose; (14) Naval Commission; (10) Casual Connection

RACE 5: (4) PARISAL; (13) Xtravagant Star; (3) Doull; (1) Spacewalk

RACE 6: (5) SHADOWS OF LOVE; (13) Willinga Beast; (6) Miss Hellfire; (2) Ghaanati

RACE 7: (7) KONASANA; (4) Butch Cassidy; (1) Schwarz; (8) General Salute

RACE 8: (4) NUGGET; (1) Detonator Jack; (6) Just Folk; (11) Welwal

RACE 9: (17) FALL FOR CINDY; (10) Highlights; (6) Excelladus; (3) Coastwatch

RACE 10: (11) CHILLI FILLY; (7) Smashing Eagle; (3) Contemporary; (4) Baroque Road

Why They Can Win…..

RACE 1: (2) TRAFALGAR SQUARE – Ran 1250m right out with a good turn of foot in her Canterbury win. Can go on with it.

RACE 2: (5) GO TROPPO – Closing sectionals were excellent in the heavy at Randwick when second up. Fitter for this suitable trip.

RACE 3: (9) GENTILESCHI – Delivering big wins at short odds in the country. Promising filly.

RACE 4: (3) KUREDER – Ran out of ground when charging home second up over 1550m. The step to 1800m looks ideal.

RACE 5: (5) SHADOWS OF LOVE – Genuine mare ticks all the right boxes. Hard to run down under favourable wet conditions.

RACE 8: (4) NUGGET – Rely on the Doncaster form to stand up. Trialled well since and rates to win on his G1 form.

RACE 10: (11) CHILLY FILLY – Fast improving filly holds ample scope for improvement. Had plenty to offer in recent trials.