Hawkesbury Preview & Best Bets – 04/05/2024

Hawkesbury Tips for Saturday, May 4

Our form expert provides Hawkesbury tips for today’s horse racing at Hawkesbury Racecourse and gives his best bets.

BEST BET 🏆

Race 7:  No.7  KONASANA 

The Chris Waller-trained KONASANA is third-up here and fitter for two runs back, looks set to challenge for victory. Last start, the Dundeel filly improved plenty off her first-up effort when she destroyed her rivals in the Group 3 James Carr Stakes (1400m) at Randwick. That was career-win number three from just eight starts to date. Dylan Gibbons takes the reins for the first time on the filly here and already a Group 3 winner, should be able to measure up among these runners. Sent out an $18 chance last start, I doubt we will see anything like that here and already a winner when third-up, she is sure to make her presence felt here.

NEXT BEST 🥈

Race 6:  No.2  GHAANATI 

Having her first look at Hawkesbury, the Team Snowden-trained GHAANATI is second-up here and looks ready to strike. Last start, the Deep Impact mare was fresh off a 17-week spell (after winning in Listed company at Caulfield), when she finished just behind the placegetters in Listed company over 1000m down the Flemington straight course. She has since trialled at Rosehill, beating home that field of 10 runners on a soft track. She has placed in Group 3 company previously and will strip fitter here off that Flemington effort. James McDonald takes charge and maps to settle near mid-field or better. A promising mare who looks a serious player here.

BEST VALUE 💰 

Race 5:  No.13  XTRAVAGANT STAR 

The Ciaron Maher-trained XTRAVAGANT STAR is high flying since resuming and fitter for three runs back, looks set to star in this contest. Last start, the Xtravagant mare went to north (to Brisbane) for a one-hit affair and pulled it off by taking out a BM78 over 1110m at Doomben. With Ryan Maloney in the saddle, he took over proceedings at the 200m mark and went on to win by a length on the line. This is a little tougher but she has the runs on the board and from an ideal draw in gate four, maps to be parked right behind the speed, with cover. She drops a massive 6.5kgs (or a stone on the old scale), coming in on the limit at 53kgs. The reliable Dylan Gibbons in the new pilot and with a trouble-free run here, the mare can figure prominently in the finish.