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By Neil Evans

Track Soft 6 and rail out 2m from 1100m to 450m & true the remainder:

Race 1 - 12:20PM TPG GREENS GRADE 2YO MAIDEN PLATE (1100 METRES)

6. Pimlico, a colt by renowned soft track sire Extreme Choice in the John O'Shea and Tom Charlton stable, can make a big statement on debut. Has had three improving trials coming in, comfortably winning the latest over 1045m, and drawn to get a cosy run in transit. 2. Hidden Motive is primed third-up in his first full prep, having twice placed in metropolitan company this campaign when well in the market. Likely to jump clear favourite, but still under the odds from a tricky draw. 4. Mysterious Master, a colt by Tagaloa, also starts his career behind three progressive and spaced trials, and draws the inside. Watch the betting on well bred 5. Offenbach who stuck on well in heavy ground first-up at Newcastle, and will appreciate the extra furlong. Include 1. Crocodile, a Northern Hemisphere-bred colt on debut for Godolphin behind two recent trials; in all exotics.

How to play it: Pimlico to win

Race 2 - 12:55PM TREFINTI PROVINCIAL 3YO MAIDEN HANDICAP (1100 METRES)

3. Justice Warrior is a tough and improving son of Justify who can peak third-up staying over the distance. Was no match for the winner resuming in the country before only being run down late in a handy maiden at Gosford three weeks back after being backed from $3.10 into $2.70. Likely to sit outside the speed from a wider draw, and is at peak fitness. 1. Queen's Rhapsody will be hard to hold out resuming from the inside barrier. Has beaten all bar the winner in four consecutive runs so far, three times in deeper city fields last spring. Looks ready off two winning trials, and the weight off-set by a 3kg claimer being booked. Be surprised if the winner comes from anywhere else, but keep safe home track filly 7. Doralee who can improve sharply second-up. 2. Donwon who ran home well when resuming at Canterbury; can figure in the minor money.

How to play it: Justice Warrior to win and quinella 1 and 3

Race 3 - 1:35PM DLF TURF FRONT RUNNERS SUPER MAIDEN HANDICAP (1100 METRES)

2. Smother is a lightly raced and talented three-year-old well placed to resume with a bang in what is now a thin race. Made up good late ground in two runs at Warwick Farm to launch his career late last year before spelling. Given an easy time in a heavy track trial at Newcastle, and draws to get cover off speed. 3. Century Song is also well in the mix resuming from a handy gate behind a quiet metro trial. Gap to the rest headed by 4. Ningaloo Reef who is trained on the course, and normally comes to hand when fresh. Gap to the rest.

How to play it: Smother to win

Race 4 - 2:10PM ENVU - DEDICATE FORTE MAIDEN PLATE (1300 METRES)

2. Carnegie Hill is a strong improver who finds the right moderate first-up race, significantly with blinkers back on. Was in and around the money in three provincial runs last prep in late spring. Has been fitted with two progressive trials up to 1045m, and important to note he starts the new campaign over the same track and trip as last time when he charged home to miss by a nose. 6. Righteous Legend draws wider, but thrives on soft tracks. Keep safe 10. Agent Zero, a two-year-old improving into his second start; while 5. Predicting is clear best of the rest.

How to play it: Carnegie Hill to win

Race 5 - 2:50PM QUALI-PRO MARVEL-OUS MIDWAY BM64 HANDICAP (1600 METRES)

8. Ocean Diva has a sound record on soft tracks, and is the one to beat here third-up from the inside draw in what is now a weak race. 7. Okami Star comes off a fighting third-up win at Wyong in heavy ground, and afforded a 2.5kg weight drop for this 10. Devine Outcast also well into his prep and with a senior Sydney rider taking over, are both capable of running into the minor money. Gap to the rest.

How to play it: Ocean Diva to win

Race 6 - 3:25PM FLORATINE TURF PRODUCTS OMG CG&E BM64 HANDICAP (1100 METRES)

2. Don't Forget Jack resumes for his first run since last October behind two eye-catching trials. Unbeaten from two starts in soft ground, and drawn to stay out in the middle in a race severely weakened with two of the early fancies coming out. 6. Imperial State is deep into the prep and a soft track winner; while 7. Dial Of Destiny fourth-up heads the rest.

How to play it: Don't Forget Jack to win

Race 7 - 4:05PM TURFCARE AUSTRALIA F&M BENCHMARK 64 HANDICAP (1100 METRES)

6. Mercantilist is a smart provincial filly who finally returns for a second start off a very easy trial, and significantly with blinkers added. Swept home for an impressive debut win at Gosford two months ago, and stable has been deliberate in giving her plenty of time. Should settle right behind the speed with cover, bred to thrive in soft going, and further boosted with one of the real early market fancies being preferred at Wednesday's Kensington meeting. 5. Be Quiet has been competitive enough in two runs since bolting in her maiden from the front three starts back, and blinkers go on. 2. Onyspeed is a tough country galloper coming off a dominant BM 66 win at Orange, and despite a 4kg weight hike, is drawn to be in the finish. 1. Froebel Star is a market watch resuming in a lesser grade with no public trials; while 7. Explosive Torpido can add value into wider exotic plays second-up.

How to play it: Mercantilist to win

Race 8 - 4:40PM THE MINERAL MAGIC SOILSMART C1 & MAIDEN PLATE (2000 METRES)

4. El Paso is a progressive staying type who is very well paced to go back to back over a furlong further. Ran home okay in two runs to start the new prep before being ridden much quieter at Newcastle and scorching home to thrash his rivals with something in hand. Gets similar off speed cover here and no reason why he can't repeat the dose. Headed for bigger winter targets. Emerging filly 12. Shangri La Impact is a serious threat rising significantly in distance for her third start. Narrowly beaten in two metro outings so far, she drops to the minimum weight, and can give a big sight. 6. Amaram did too much early work tackling a tougher metro race over further 13 days ago, and much better placed here with a key jockey change. Keep safe 8. Tommy Thug deep into the prep.

How to play it: El Paso to win

BEST BETS:
R3 2. SMOTHER
R4 2. CARNEGIE HILL

BEST VALUE:
R7 6. MERCANTILIST

All the fields, form and replays for Thursday's Hawkesbury meeting