Carnarvon Racing Tips 19 June — can Costa Star cash in?
Hawkesbury Racing Tips 23 June — can the maidens finally crack?
Opening
There’s a very Hawkesbury-looking theme running through this midweek: a bunch of maidens that have had enough chances to tell you what they are, mixed with a couple that might simply be ready now that the map and the trip finally line up. That’s where you can actually make money on cards like this, not by pretending every race is a “special” but by picking the few that are set up to run their best race.
We’ve got five races on turf, mostly in that 1400m to 1640m sweet spot where positioning matters and you don’t want to be burning petrol from awkward gates. I’ve leaned into runners with a clear trajectory in their form, riders who regularly put horses in the right spot here, and stables that repeatedly get results at this track. These Hawkesbury racing tips are written like you’d talk them through to a mate: what wins it, what beats it, and what I’d actually stake.
Hawkesbury — the setup
Limited meaningful course form across today’s fields. Most runners either haven’t been here or have only one or two course visits, so I’m treating that as context, not a crystal ball. Where the track angles do carry weight today is with the riders and a couple of trainers who turn up here often enough to matter.
On the jockey front, there’s a clear Hawkesbury pattern worth respecting. Ashley Morgan has 17 rides here for five wins and hits the frame nearly half the time. A B Collett doesn’t win as often but he’s a proper “get you paid” rider at this track, placing in more than half of his 23 Hawkesbury rides. Tommy Berry has the volume and keeps landing in the money too, with 14 placings from 31 rides.
| Jockey | Runs | Wins | Places | Win% | Place% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A B Collett | 23 | 3 | 13 | 13.04 | 56.52 |
| Ashley Morgan | 17 | 5 | 8 | 29.41 | 47.06 |
| Tommy Berry | 31 | 4 | 14 | 12.90 | 45.16 |
Trainer-wise, Peter Snowden is the standout with enough Hawkesbury runners to trust the strike rate: nine runners for four wins and six placings. Annabel Neasham and Rob Archibald also make sense as a “keep safe” stable here, placing 12 of their 20 Hawkesbury runners.
| Trainer | Runs | Wins | Places | Win% | Place% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peter Snowden | 9 | 4 | 6 | 44.44 | 66.67 |
| Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald | 20 | 3 | 12 | 15.00 | 60.00 |
| Nathan Doyle | 8 | 2 | 5 | 25.00 | 62.50 |
Ladbrokes Review [Updated March 2026] | Ladbrokes.com.au Pros & Cons
- Info Hub
- Mates Mode
Race-by-race
Race 1: Family Funday 19 July Midway Mdn Plate — 12:10, 1422m
The race reads like a simple question: who’s actually close to winning a maiden, rather than just making up numbers? For me it’s Galactic Force. The form line says “building”: 3-6-5-4-2 is a horse consistently getting nearer, and Tim Clark is the sort of booking that usually means they want the job done rather than another “nice run”. Gate five gives him options, and over this sort of trip at Hawkesbury you want to be able to slide in, breathe, and present at the right time.
The danger is Yes Arnie, because he’s already shown he can run a placing here on his only Hawkesbury start, and his recent form has been honest without being flashy. Brock Ryan won’t overcomplicate it from the outside draw, and that can be a plus in a maiden where half the field is still learning.
I’m not making excuses for Capone and Heeza Steve off the page. They’ve had chances and their recent strings don’t scream “today’s the day”. If one of them beats me, so be it.
Staking: Win bet Galactic Force. Small saver quinella with Yes Arnie if you like cover.
Race 2: Elite Sand & Soil Super Mdn Plate — 12:45, 1640m
I’m starting this one with the shape. There’s enough runners here that you don’t want to be doing anything heroic from the turn, and that makes the inside draw gold. Master Johnny gets barrier one and that’s the sort of advantage that can turn a “nearly” horse into a winner over the mile at Hawkesbury. He’s only had two runs and has already been second, which is the right kind of profile for this grade.
The other angle is stable intent. Annabel Neasham and Rob Archibald saddle Incremental and I Am Overs and they’ve got enough Hawkesbury volume to trust their placement here. Incremental’s form is the more persuasive: 5-2-2-4-2 says he’s at the right level and knocking on the door. If he lands midfield with cover from gate seven, he’s the one I fear late.
Hellfighter deserves a mention because he’s placed on his only Hawkesbury run and Nathan Doyle’s runners at this track regularly show up, but the recent sequence feels a bit like a horse who finds one better.
Staking: Master Johnny each-way. If the market overreacts to the inside gate and he’s short, save on Incremental as the main danger.
Race 3: Xxxx Gold Mdn Hcp — 13:20, 1531m
The contender here is obvious and I’m happy to stand with it. State Secret looks the most likely winner because the form says he’s already up to winning a 3yo maiden and the map says he won’t be doing it the hard way. He’s been second at his latest run, he draws barrier one, and Regan Bayliss can control the race from there or take the sit if something wants to roll. That combination at Hawkesbury tends to keep you out of trouble.
The main worry is whether we get a crawl. If they go too slowly, it brings a few of these into it and makes it a sprint home. That’s where Movie Night becomes the danger. His form reads like a horse who keeps turning up, running well, and not quite landing it. Tommy Berry is a plus, and if he can land in the first half from gate seven, he’s the one who can eyeball the favourite at the 300m.
I’m happy to risk Fimiston from gate ten in a field like this. He might be better than his two runs suggest, but you don’t want to pay for “might” when others have already shown they can put themselves in the finish.
Staking: Win bet State Secret. Exacta saver State Secret with Movie Night if you’re playing multiples.
18+ T&C’s Apply. What are you really gambling with? Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a Deposit Limit For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
18+ T&C’s Apply. What are you really gambling with? Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a Deposit Limit For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
18+ T&C’s Apply. What are you really gambling with? Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a Deposit Limit For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
Race 4: Pioneer Services Mdn Plate — 13:55, 1094m
The market will probably make this look trickier than it is, because there are a few lightly raced or first starters and punters love a mystery. I prefer the horse who has already shown he can land in the placings and looks like he’ll get a clean run: Radicals. He was second at his only run, and Joseph Pride usually has them ready to be competitive early. Kerrin McEvoy is a deliberate booking too, and while he hasn’t won at Hawkesbury from 14 rides, he places often enough that I’m not worried about the “duck” as a headline.
The danger is Internal Affairs from gate one. Two-year-olds drawn inside over a sharp 1094m can control their own destiny, and Tyler Schiller rides this track often. If Internal Affairs holds the fence and kicks, Radicals has to be good enough to run him down.
Our Lady Peace also makes sense as a threat because her form string says she’s been around the mark for a while, but she’s drawn wider and may need things to go her way.
Staking: Win bet Radicals. If you want insurance, saver quinella with Internal Affairs.
Race 5: Hrc Motel (Bm64) — 14:35, 1640m
This is the best betting race on the card because it’s not a guessing game. These are seasoned horses and you can read their profiles with some confidence. Pentagon is the one I want to be with. Bjorn Baker’s Hawkesbury strike rate doesn’t jump off the page, but his runners here land in the money often, and Pentagon’s form says he’s genuine: 3-3-1-3 then a first-up fifth. From barrier one, Tommy Berry should get every favour in the run over the mile, and that’s often the difference between winning and running second in these benchmark races.
The stable that keeps pulling me back in is Neasham and Archibald, and Silver Tempest is the clear danger. The recent form reads 1-5-1-0-9, which is messy, but A B Collett at Hawkesbury is a serious positive and this is the sort of race where a stable can reset a horse and have it bounce.
Squeezebox brings a more reliable placing profile, and if they run this at anything faster than even, she’s right in it. I’m just not keen to take short odds about a horse drawn seven who might end up posted if it’s messy early.
A quick course note that’s more warning than angle: Surf Sonic ran tenth on his only Hawkesbury start. That doesn’t mean he can’t improve, but it tells you he hasn’t loved this place before.
Staking: Win bet Pentagon. Saver on Silver Tempest if the market drifts and gives you a price worth taking.
The plays
I’m keeping it tight. Hawkesbury can punish people who try to bet every race, especially when you’ve got multiple maidens early where half the field still has questions to answer.
NAP: Pentagon (Race 5, 14:35). Barrier one over the mile with Tommy Berry is a setup you can trust in a BM64, and it’s the most “readable” race on the program.
Value: Master Johnny (Race 2, 12:45) each-way. He gets the inside draw in a mile maiden and has already run second in only two starts. If the market leans too hard into the more exposed place-getters, he’s the overs.
Banker for multis: State Secret (Race 3, 13:20). Barrier one, coming off a second, and trained by Waterhouse and Bott. It’s the safest profile on the card.
Each-way anchor: Radicals (Race 4, 13:55). Second at his only start and gets McEvoy. That’s enough to play without needing to invent a story.
Course angle to remember: When A B Collett turns up at Hawkesbury, he puts you in the race more often than not. He’s placed 13 of his 23 rides here, and that’s the sort of quiet edge that keeps paying over time.
FAQ
What time does racing start at Hawkesbury today?
Hawkesbury gets underway at 12:10 with Race 1, the Family Funday 19 July Midway Maiden Plate over 1422m.
Who are the top jockeys and trainers at Hawkesbury on today’s numbers?
On meaningful sample sizes, A B Collett stands out for consistency at Hawkesbury with 13 placings from 23 rides, while Ashley Morgan has been a winning rider here with five wins from 17 rides. Among trainers, Peter Snowden has the sharpest Hawkesbury record of the active stables on this card, with four wins from nine runners.
What are the best bets at Hawkesbury today?
My Hawkesbury best bets are Pentagon in Race 5 (barrier one, mile setup suits) and State Secret in Race 3 (barrier one, last start second, strong stable). If you want something earlier at a price, Master Johnny each-way in Race 2 makes sense from gate one.
Where can I find the best odds for Hawkesbury races?
Prices move quickly on midweek cards, so I’d always check a live odds screen with multiple bookies before you bet. For Hawkesbury odds today, compare the win market on your preferred bookmakers close to jump, especially in the maidens (Races 1 to 4) where late money can be telling.
Responsible gambling
Support & resources: If gambling is causing harm, help is available. Call Gambling Help on 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.
18+ only. Please gamble responsibly.
Affiliate disclosure: RacingBase may receive a commission if you sign up or bet via links on this page. This helps keep the site running and doesn’t change our opinions.
