A main focus at Hawkesbury today will be how La Amistad has returned in the Rowley Mile however stablemate Cramming must not be forgotten in the last.
La Amistad begins her campaign aimed towards the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups in the Listed Rowley Mile at Hawkesbury on Thursday.
It is shaping as an open contest with a wide array of form lines.
Five of the ten runners are quoted at single figures and those interested in wagering on the event need to choose between race fitness or class.
Class will likely get La Amistad a long way in the event however there must be a query on resuming over a mile on a rain affected surface commencing a preparation where she’s being aimed at the first Tuesday in November.
Two races later, La Amistad’s stablemate Cramming looks a fair more appealing wagering prospect in the Class 2 Yellowglen Handicap (1500m).
Cramming has long promised plenty and lines up in the Class 2 Yellowglen Handicap (1500m) after a solid showing on resuming at the course a fortnight ago.
The More Than Ready gelding settled back and was closing well before running third, beaten three-quarters of a length.
While rolled as favoured, the run was still full of merit.
He will strip fitter for the outing and the extra ground will be ideal.
It isn’t an overly strong Class 2 Handicap where of the nine horses remaining in the field, just three of Cramming’s rivals sit inside the handicap.
Additionally, the Team Hawkes-James McDonald partnership combined for 49 winners at a strike rate of 27% last season while running at a profit on turnover of 17.4%.
James McDonald should settle Cramming inside the first four runners with the final event at Hawkesbury not appearing to possess much early pace.
On straightening, it should just be a case of the four-year-old proving too good.
The Team Hawkes-James McDonald partnership combined for 49 winners at a strike rate of 27% last season while running at a profit on turnover of 17.4%.
Best Of The Rest hit the ground running with a first up success at Wyong over 1100m.
The gelding will strip fitter for the run and has always given the impression a middle distance journey will prove an optimum trip.
A step up to 1500m should suit and the stable is flying at present with 12 winners from their 36 runners since July 30.
During that period, the Anthony Cummings stable has struck at near 40% throughout the provincials.
Topmast shapes as a main danger after his sound fourth at Newcastle.
The gelding two starts prior broke maiden status at Newcastle on a rain affected track.
Mares Chastened and Spinning Diamond shape as the value hopes.
Cramming looks the most progressive sort of this field however and should have the measure of his rivals in the Class 2 Yellowglen Handicap (1500m) at Hawkesbury.