Hawkesbury Gold Cup - 1600m, Hawkesbury R9
The Hawkesbury Gold Cup looks an incredibly even race, and a tough one to dissect. There isn’t much recent winning form among this field, and most of these runners have been around the block a few times, so there isn’t an obvious progressive type that has snuck in at the weights.
Lord Ardmore could be a nice each-way play at a double figure quote, capable of handling all conditions but with a preference for the cut out.
After an aborted spring campaign where he didn’t seem to come up, he resumed first-up in the Doncaster Prelude, snagging back to last from the widest barrier and working to the line. Last start he lumped a big weight in a handy race, but just couldn’t reel in the leader.
Lord Ardmore now looks primed for this third-up assignment, dropping 5kg’s in weight from a cushy draw, with Joao Moreira jumping on board. This horse has won third-up three times in the past, including both times he’s gone that far in a prep under Chris Waller.
Floating Artist is both the intriguing runner, and probably the one to beat. Fourth in the 2021 Melbourne Cup after having a fine spring, the Maher/Eustace galloper impressed under a big weight at 1400m after 18 months off the scene. He won’t have needed to come on much from that to be in the finish here.
Just Folk is always among the chances in these kind of races, particularly if the track comes up a soft 7 or worse. Hopeful was second in this race last year when first-up for Annabel Neasham, and must be respected under those circumstances again. Jojo Was A Man can figure, but the barrier draw hasn’t been kind.
Selections: 1.Lord Ardmore 2.Floating Artist 3.Hopeful 4.Just Folk
LORD ARDMORE
EACH-WAY
* Odds Correct At Time Of Posting. Check Playup Website For Latest Odds
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