Joe Pride optimistic about Expat and Titanium Power at Hawkesbury

Trainer Joe Pride is upbeat about the chances of Expat and Titanium Power at the Hawkesbury stand-alone meeting on Saturday.

Expat takes her place in the Group 3 $200,000 Hawkesbury Crown (1300m) and Titanium Power lines up in the Listed $160,000 Hawkesbury XXXX Gold Rush (1100m).

Pride recently took over the training of Expat who had her first run for the new stable when fourth in the Sapphire Stakes at Royal Randwick during The Championships.

“Expat’s in good form and she should run a very competitive race,” Pride said.

“She’s not just a wet-tracker either as she ran fourth in the Millie Fox Stakes earlier this preparation on a very firm track. My good mare (Group 1 The Galaxy winner) Mariamia ran unplaced that day.”

Titanium Power is resuming in the Rush but he does have a good first-up record and did win his comeback run at Randwick last preparation.

Meanwhile, Pride was more than happy with the barrier trial efforts of stable stars Private Eye and Think About It at Warwick Farm on Friday.

Private Eye got home late when second in his 814m trial while Think About It covered ground but still won his heat comfortably.

“Think About It always trials well and he will resume in the Takeover Target Stakes at Gosford in two weeks,” Pride said.

“Private Eye is very casual in his trials but he went nicely and he will run in the Victory Stakes at Eagle Farm next week.”

THE BEST BARRIERS

The best barriers at Hawkesbury for the last 3 years (in order of wins)

1100m: 3,4,5,1)

1300m: 1,2,4,3

1400m: 1,3,6,4

1500m: 1,3,2,4

1600m: 2,5,1,7

1800m: 2,3,4,8

THE BIG BETS AND MARKET MOVERS

Race 1: Quasimoto $7-$5.50, Zardozi $2-$1.95 with bets of $2,000 at $2, $2,000 at $1.95, Rimbaud $23-$21

Race 2: Dollar Magic $6.50-$4.60, Transformation $21-$16, Titration $8.50-$7.50 with bets of $500 at $8.50, Star To Fall $12-$6.50, Sister Moon $6.50-$5.50

Race 3: Moonlight Grace $9-$7.50, Shadows Of Love $5-$2.50 with bets of $550 at $5, $500 at $5, $650 at $4.20

Race 4: Unspoken $6.50-$5.50 with bets of $350/$550 e/w at $6.50/$2.50, Ausbred Flirt $6.50-$5.50

Race 5: Fire $5-$3.40

Race 6: Andermatt $2.90-$2.60 after bets of $1,053 at $2.90, $1,050 at $2.90, A Very Fine Red $11-$7.50

Race 7: Atmosphere $11-$8.50, Razeta $8-$5.50

Race 8: Princess Grace $4.60-$3.40 with bets of $800 at $4.60, Expat $8-$7, Barossa Rosa $51-$34

Race 9: Floating Artist $6-$4 with a bet of $500 at $5, Just Folk $15-$8.50, Hosier $15-$10 with a bet of $1,000 e/w at $10/$3.30

Race 10: Wicklow $9-$6.50 after a bet of $1,000 at $9.50, Ausbred Flirt $9-$7

EARLY QUADDIE

Race 3: 2,9,12,13

Race 4: 3,4,6,8

Race 5: 1,2,11

Race 6: 1,2,3,10

QUADDIE

Race 7: 1,2,7,10

Race 8: 4,8,10,12

Race 9: 2,8,11

Race 10: 2,3,7,12

PRICE CHECK

Godolphin sprinter Andermatt (race 6) has been the best backed runner on the program. He has firmed from $2.90 to $2.60 favouritism for the Hawkesbury XXXX Gold Rush after some good bets including $1,053 at $2.90 and $1,050 at $2.90.

TRIAL POINTERS

Red Card (race 5) is a cleverly named filly from the Godolphin string given that she is a daughter of Penalty. In fact, Red Card is an exceptionally well-bred filly - her sixth dam is none other than the champion mare and subsequent broodmare gem, Denise’s Joy. Red Card has a tidy record of three wins and a second from her seven career starts. The daughter of Ribchester broke her maiden here at Hawkesbury, running 56.46s for the 1000m with a 33.15s last 600m split. Trialled twice ahead of her return and was outstanding each time.

Pervade (race 10) adds considerable interest to the last race on Hawkesbury’s annual stand-alone given that this will be the blue-blooded gelding’s first start in Australia. Pervade, a son of the great Kingman is dressed in the colours of the even greater Frankel. Now part of the Chris Waller camp, Pervade was a highly consistent performer in France reflected in his record of three wins, three seconds and a third from his 10 appearances. Tuned up to do something on the weekend with a couple of trials.

SECTIONAL STARS

Quasimoto (race 1) is a Clint Lundholm two-year-old son of Gai Waterhouse’s 2010 Golden Rose runner-up Squamosa. The Dubbo housed bay is a close relative of another former Waterhouse-trained star in Coca Cobanna who won the AJC Oaks and Metropolitan Handicap in 2000. Quasimoto, a $46,000 Gold Coast purchase, ran a huge race at just his second start when coming from last of nine to finish runner-up in the Wyong 2YO Magic Millions on December 14. Lundholm’s charge was second in the Wellington Boot at his last start, once again coming wide and fast when the race was ostensibly done.

Never Talk (race 8) was kept safe in the betting ($8 into $7.50) when she went around in a very deep edition of the Group 2 Sapphire Stakes at Royal Randwick two weeks ago. The Kris Lees-trained mare drew 12 of 14, was last at the 800m, ninth at the 400m, eventually beating all bar the decisive winner, Zapateo. Never Talk should benefit from the extra 100m in the Hawkesbury Crown.

BEST BET

Andermatt (race 6) was back to his best form winning in fast time at Rosehill then was given his chance in the Group 1 The Galaxy but was never really in the contest when he ran down the track behind Mariamia. He’s had a month between runs and a soft barrier trial, drops significantly in grade, drawn the inside gate and has James McDonald. There’s a lot to like about Andermatt here.

VALUE

Lord Ardmore (race 9) might have been caught on the wrong part of the track at Warwick Farm when he didn’t quite attack the line as expected when fourth to Cognac. But Lord Ardmore is third-up and fitter for recent racing, drops 5kg to 54.5kg and is drawn to get the right run. The Chris Waller-trained Lord Ardmore is good value around $8 for the Hawkesbury Gold Cup.

THE JUDGEMENT

ROYAL RANDWICK

R7: Hawkesbury Guineas (1400m)

Richard Haynes (TAB): “I was super impressed by the way Razeta won over The Championships and I see no reason why she can’t repeat the effort. She’s drawn to get a beautiful run in the race and I’m happy to stick with an in-form filly. Hawaii Five Oh is a well-bred emerging colt, he’ll be fitter for his run at the midweeks and has to be a player here. Avebury is better than what we saw in the PJ Bell, she has drawn awkwardly but is too smart to dismiss. The Fortune Teller looks a handy prospect and only has to hold the form from his Carbine Club victory to be right in the finish.”

Glenn Munsie (Sky Racing): “Happy to be against the favourite here in The Fortune Teller coming back in trip off what I believe wasn’t a strong Carbine Club. Kote was a total forgive in the Arrowfield after over-racing badly early and going forward to lead. Previous two efforts when coming from well back are easily good enough to see it in the finish here. Edge off track is a bonus as well. Speed all drawn wide here so really want him to snag back early.”

Grant Palmer (bookie): “I thought Hawaii Five Oh ran on well at his first start for new trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott. He has drawn well and Nash Rawiller takes the ride. He goes on top for me. There has been specking for a few at odds including Sizzle Minizzle at $23 and Avebury also at $23.”

Michael Sullivan (bookie): “A very even race for the three-year-olds. The Fortune Teller’s been on the drift since opening $3.80-$4.60 and we’re happy to continue writing tickets. Tough coming back from the mile on a bottomless surface and draws poorly. The horse potentially on the up here is Hawaii Five Oh. Steps considerably in grade but has some very solid performances and can measure up here with Nash Rawiller aboard.”

Hamish Ferguson (TAB): “There’s been a good push for Razeta in the Guineas. The Kris Lees-trained filly is $8.50 into $5.50 and is the best backed runner in the race accounting for 20 per cent of the early investments.”

Verdict: Razeta

R8: Hawkesbury Crown (1300m)

Richard Haynes (TAB): “I must be with the favourite in Princess Grade. Her first Australian run in the Sapphire Stakes was a beauty, and I could only see her improving over this longer journey. She can probably settle closer from the inside draw, and she’ll be hard to hold out late. Never Talk was excellent last start and when she gets in this mood, I don’t want to oppose her. Again, a wide draw isn’t perfect, but she’s a mare in a good place and will run well. Short Shorts is the local hope, she’s very quick and will be in front for a long way. Distance and class are question marks but dismiss her at your peril. Written Beauty can be hard to catch these days, but she’s drawn to get the right kind of run.”

Glenn Munsie (Sky Racing): “Real throw at the stumps here with More Prophets. Her form reads fair at best but I think they contain some really good hidden efforts. Poor draws haven’t helped and of course draws the ‘car park’ again here. May just be the opportunity to change it up and race closer as speed doesn’t look high unless Short Shorts and Riduna get runs. Can run you a race here at big odds.”

Grant Palmer (bookie): “I thought Expat was okay last start behind a smart one in Zapateo. She gets out to 1300m now where she has won three times in five starts and her fourth up record reads 4:3-0-0. She will ping the gates and Brett Prebble will give them something to chase. She goes on top from the favourite Princess Grace who also ran well behind Zapateo on her Australian debut.”

Michael Sullivan (bookie): “Princess Grace is the best supported early $3.90-$3.50 off a nice Australian debut in the Sapphire. But she is one we are very happy to take on from the inside draw and only going up 100m. Tycoon Evie has been a firmer $11-$6.50 and looks a good chance, along with Written Beauty ($11) who is flying and will appreciate getting out in trip now.”

Hamish Ferguson (TAB): “We’ve seen good early support for both Princess Grace and Tycoon Evie with the pair holding 46 per cent of investments. Outside of those two, Written Beauty has seen some specking at double-figure odds.”

Verdict: Princess Grace

R9: Hawkesbury Gold Cup (1600m)

Richard Haynes (TAB): “This looks the perfect assignment for Floating Artist. Granted this distance may be short of his preferred, but he has a bit of class on his side, and I expect him to be a shade too good. He’ll get back from his barrier, and it will probably be ‘heart in your mouth’ stuff with 100m to go, but he’ll be charging late. Just Folk is nice and fit after two solid runs back this preparation, if he can find a nice spot from his barrier, he’s well in a race like this. Lord Ardmore is in the mix, and both Character and Berdibek are chances at big odds.”

Glenn Munsie (Sky Racing): “New Mandate is the one to beat here. Knocked up late first up in the Doncaster Prelude and was very good in a Rosehill barrier trial since. Only had three Australian runs and this is its second local preparation. Booking of James McDonald is a tip in itself. Stablemate Lord Ardmore may have been a runs short at Warwick Farm and does drop 5kg for this.”

Grant Palmer (bookie): “Jojo Was A Man will have to deal with barrier 16 but he looks set to peak third up over 1600m. He can handle all track conditions and regular rider Reece Jones goes back aboard. He looks over the odds around the $14 mark. Dynasties was another who looked over the odds at $23. She will improve third up from the soft draw and any rain will only further enhance her chances.”

Michael Sullivan (bookie): “Floating Artist terrific on resumption off the big break and clearly the best credentialed here. Supported early $4.80-$3.70. Away from him it looks wide open, with the punters interested in Just Folk $17-$8.50 and Lord Ardmore $10-$7. Track pattern and late betting crucial here.”

Hamish Ferguson (TAB): “Our customers have come for Floating Artist in the feature on the card. The Maher and Eustace trained runner is $6 into $4 and is the best backed. One to watch might be Just Folk who is now a $8.50 chance after opening at $15 during the week.”