Leebaz and Northern Glory profile as two very appealing wagering prospects at Hawkesbury on Saturday.
Leebaz and Northern Glory contest the Hawkesbury Gold Cup (1600m) and Hawkesbury Guineas (1400m) respectively.
Both rate on top in their respective events and look poised for a return to the winner’s circle.
Leebaz shapes as the bet of the day in the Group 3 Hawkesbury Gold Cup (1400m).
The four-year-old has been given a brief let-up since a brave second in the Doncaster Prelude where he and Weary gapped their rivals.
Form from the race has since held up well with the winner subsequently placing in the Doncaster Mile (1600m) and the All Aged Stakes (1400m).
The Group 3 Hawkesbury Gold Cup doesn’t possess a great deal of depth on paper and Leebaz sits perfectly poised on the limit weight.
Only four runners sit inside the handicap with those from Keep Cool severely disadvantaged.
With minimal pace in the contest outside of Leebaz, the Team Hawkes-trained gelding should get a race run to suit and simply prove a class above his rivals.
On 50 day weight adjusted Timeform figures, Leebaz has a six pound advantage over his nearest rival on paper in Malavio with Wistful and Mouro a further two and four pounds away respectively.
The Hawkes stable are in tremendous form at present as is talented young hoop James McDonald.
All signs point to Leebaz claiming the feature race at Hawkesbury on Saturday.
Taking the short odds about the gelding while perhaps not overly satisfying, is still worthwhile before an each way play arises 40 minutes later in the form of Northern Glory.
Northern Glory is currently second favourite for the event behind the promising Team Hawkes-trained Chautauqua.
The pair each profile well heading into the Hawkesbury Guineas however the filly on weight adjusted Timeform ratings marginally has the edge.
Northern Glory was only narrowly denied a maiden stakes victory in the J B Carr Stakes (1400m) last start by an unlikely winner in Estonian Princess.
The run was still full of merit though and now meets the winner 2kg better under Set Weights plus Penalties.
She should be around peak fitness fourth run from a spell and from barrier 8 can settle handy.
Her main rival is the current favourite Chautauqua who has missed the start at his past two outings and will likely be positioned back in the field.
The Gai Waterhouse-trained filly will likely have less work to do in the straight and at her current each way quote, is worthy of serious consideration.
Outside of Leebaz, the eight race program at Hawkesbury is void of short priced favourites.
As was the case with last week’s Sydney Specials in the form of Bachman, a lay of the day will again be approaching each way odds.
Most of the races on offer are open contests, none more the case than the Evergreen Turf Claret Stakes (1300m).
11 line up in the 2YO contest where there is presently a four way battle for favouritism between Idyllic Scenery, Charlie Royale and the Peter Snowden-trained duo of Farolitos and Meursault.
Idyllic Scenery while a last start maiden winner at Canterbury, wasn’t overly convincing.
On disclosed form in the contest, Idyllic Scenery sits well shy of the top rater Charlie Royale.
Farolitos was an impressive debut winner while Rhodin Drive and Thelittleracketeer were more workmanlike in claiming their first career outings.
All should be open to substantial improvement with race experience now under their belts.
Meursault trialled well in preparation for his debut and should get a cosy run in transit from barrier 1.
Even the likes of Runkle and Mr Lebrock have to be kept safe after wayward yet promising debuts.
Sydney Specials
Banker: R6, #4 Leebaz @ $1.80
Play Of The Day: R7, #14 Northern Glory @ $5.50Lay Of The Day: R2, #1 Idyllic Scenery @ $4.60
