Scholtz's Say
Saturday's Hawkesbury Preview with Chris Scholtz: 3rd May 2025
Selections and best bets from Chris Scholtz for the Hawkesbury Gold Cup meeting on Saturday May 3 plus Trial Watch and Blackbook runners.
Best Bets
RACE 4 – (3) IRON MAN: Back to his right grade after resuming with a solid fifth in a strong BM88 over 1200m at Randwick where he couldn't be fully tested over the last 300m. Has to contend with a weight increase but the pace in this field suits his style as he will sit on the back of the speed with last look and he's at his best on soft ground.
RACE 6 (4) JUST PARTY: Easy to dismiss his two early autumn starts in strong Group company as his spring form was first class. This will be his first start as a gelding after two pleasing trials, especially his most recent when he surged home for a strong win on a soft track at Randwick that showed he is in the right form to resume. Significant that Nash Rawiller sticks after riding him in both trials.
RACE 7 (2) LADY LAGUNA: Perfect set up for this high class mare coming off her return to form when second under 58kg in the G2 Sapphire Stakes (1200m) at Randwick. She excels in soft/heavy ground and the 60kg is not a severe impost under the set weights and penalties conditions for the winner of the G1 Canterbury Stakes over this distance. Should enjoy favours on the pace from her soft draw.
RACE 1: (10) JUMEIRAH BEACH; (3) Vintage Choice; (12) Herb; (4) Prince Of Sorts
RACE 2: (8) STRAIGHT FIRE; (11) Midnight Affair; (1) Canadian Ruler; (10) Call Me Terry
RACE 3: (8) ZEBRA FINCH; (2) Damien; (3) Fortissimo; (1) Aerodrome
RACE 4: (3) IRON MAN; (4) World Alliance; (7) One Destiny; (1) Spanish Fox
RACE 5: (6) AWESOME WONDER; (5) Black Run; (2) Jamberoo; (7) Fay's Angels
RACE 6: (4) JUST PARTY; (5) Zeitung; (13) Candlewick; (14) Modella
RACE 7: (2) LADY LAGUNA; (12) City Of Lights; (11) Written In Code; (10) Tashi
RACE 8: (9) TAVI TIME; (3) Mighty Ulysses; (5) Punch Lane; (4) Osipenko
RACE 9: (4) BUBBA'S BAY; (14) Celui; (11) Renosu; (12) In Flight
RACE 10: (4) EXCELLADUS; (10) Moby Dick; (7) Gallant Star; (12) Countyourblessings
RACE 1 – (10) JUMERIAH BEACH: Has winning form over this course and rates well of his Brisbane win. Gets favourable conditions again.
RACE 2 – (8) STRAIGHT FIRE: Can only improve on his fist up placing in open company. Nicely placed on his previous Highway from.
RACE 3 – (8) ZEBRA FINCH: Strong work late on debut. He's the value meeting topweight 3kg better over this longer trip.
RACE 5 – (6) AWESOME WONDER: Course winner and good on affected tracks. Benefits from claim over this suitable trip.
RACE 8 - (9) TAVI TIME: Fitter for the rise to his best distance and soft/heavy is his go. Wide draw might be the place to be with 4kg less.
RACE 9 – (4) BUBBA'S BAY: Course and distance winner with a super record in affected ground. Impressive trial.
RACE 10 - (4) EXCELLADUS: Suited this class and distance on the soft after he closed off with best last 400m when resuming.
NOTED TRIAL RUNNERS – April May 2-4
EAGLE FARM SATURDAY: Waterford (R8); Jedibeel (R8); Coleman (R8); Emirate (R9)
HAWKESBURY SATURDAY: Snitzanova (R6); Just Party (R6); Love Poem (R6); Tamerlane (R8); Bubba's Bay (R8); Brudenell (R8); Kin (R8)
NEWCASTLE SATURDAY: Aristocrat (R2); Carnegie Hill (R2); Walk The Pier (R2); British Gem (R3)
ROCKHAMPTON SUNDAY: Rustic Steel (R8)
RECENT TRIAL WATCH WINNERS: First Mission; Harlex; Maori Chief; Caltsar; Mignonette; Roman Forum; Hawker Hall; Ellipsis; Silver Wedding; Secure; Placid Pearl; Need Some Luck; Famous One; Night Sky; Tiberius; Aerodrome; Rose Of Dubai; Vinrock; Evaporate; Nymphadora; Reducio; Oakfield Jupiter; Celui; Telling; Ballroom Bella; Love And Light
TRIAL POINTERS
RANDWICK April 24: Classy 3YO JUST PARTY looks set for a good campaign after an impressive win in the fastest heat over 1045m (63.19; 35.13). Having his second trial since February he was wide and six lengths off the leaders at the 400m before he rounded up a big field, sailing down the outside rail for a soft win. Other open heat winners gearing up for good campaigns included FLEETWOOD and JEDIBEEL.
WYONG April 24: Classy NZ filly LOVE POEM had her first trial following her transfer from Kiwi trainer Stephen Marsh to Kris Lees. Her Group form up to 1600m in NZ including her G1 second against the colts in the 2000 Guineas speaks volumes for her quality and she will be a lot better in longer races than what she displayed in the PJ Bell over 1200m at the Randwick carnival. Did all that was required to win the fastest 1000m heat (60.62; 37.69) by a narrow margin. It was a good session for the Lees stable with his quality sprinter BRUDENELL a comfortable winner of his 845m heat (52.22; 37.75)..
WARWICK FARM April 17: TAMERLANE did well to win a classy open heat over 819m (48.75; 33.75). Another strong trial from COLEMAN saw him finish off late for a close third. It was hard to miss the impressive work of WATERFORD making up lengths under a big hold and surging through the line for third in his 822m heat (48.79; 33.75).
NEWCASTLE April 16: Sandown Guineas winner SNITZANOVA resumed with a satisfactory win in her 1000m heat 61.24; 34.763), doing just enough to claim a narrow win on the line. A couple of nice 2YO prospects appeared in the 780m heats including BRITISH GEM.
RANDWICK April 14: Among the 1050m trials that took the eye was the maiden WALK THE PIER
WARWICK FARM April 7: Classy 3YO COLEMAN has his first trial since his transfer to the Waller stable from Victorian trainer Matt Laurie. His impressive work to close strongly for third in his fast 804m heat (47.28; 33.75) was a lovely start to his prep.
RANDWICK October 8: A strong trial from promising 3YO EMIRATE saw him record the fastest win in the six heats over 1050m (63.09; 34.15).
BLACKBOOK RUNNERS – May 1-4
WAGGA FRIDAY: Medatsu (R7); Salute Again (R8)
MUSWELLBROOK FRIDAY: Gentileschi (R6)
HAWKESBURY SATURDAY: Twigman (R5); Zeitung (R6/R7); Getafix (R6); Coco Jamboo (R7); Athabascan (R8); Rapt (R8/R10)Moby Dick (R10); Captain Amelia (R10)
EAGLE FARM SATURDAY: Twigman (R4); Fleur Du Monde (R4); Interjection (R7); Churchill's Choice (R7); Cifrado (R8)
CAULFIELD SATURDAY: Dashing Duchess (R6); Laa De Sha (R9)
MORPHETTVILLE SATURDAY: On Display (R7); Hajra (R9)
NEWCASTLE SATURDAY: Maid Of Moolah (R3); Gentileschi (R6)
BLACKBOOKERS – Selected April 19
(Follow for next 3 starts)
AMEENA; DOBBINAIR; ENCODER; MAGARTEN; MIRACLE SPIN; PAJANTI; SPIONE; THE INFLICTOR
RECENT BLACKBOOK WINNERS: Photograph; Charm Stone; Regal Azmon; Jimmysstar; Movin Out; Briasa; Statuario; Evaporate; Heart Of Glass; Just Folk; Nepotism; Imposant; Gringotts; Mare Of Mt Buller; Asgarda; Buffalo; Benagil; Skyhook; Tom Kitten; Joliestar; Alalcance; Verdad; Set To Shine
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