Hawkesbury preview, best bets, inside mail for Sunday, July 20, 2025
Fly Scotty Fly settled fourth, one off the fence, a Gosford on July 10 but just wasn't comfortable on the Soft 6 and dropped out to finish last behind Straand Beauty.
'He's no good when the track moves underneath him, said Ryan who trains in partnership with Sterling Alexiou.
'You only have to look at his form when he's been on quite soft ground, he has gone no good.
'We thought he would run really well in his first start in a race but he ran last and the same happened at Rosehill last preparation.
The Form: Complete NSW Racing thoroughbred form, including video replays and all you need to know about every horse, jockey and trainer. Find a winner here!
'He's a big heavy horse and when he hits the ground with any give in it, he would sink into it.'
In his other three runs, the son of Brazen Beau was a head second to Stratafy on a Good 3 at Wyong and scored an all-the-way win from Firework on a Good 4 at the same track in consecutive runs last December.
He then resumed this preparation with a second behind the in-form Cassiel on a Soft 5 at Hawkesbury where the track was good under foot.
'The track was pretty firm that day because they ran 1:02.94 and came home in 33.4 (seconds),' Ryan said.
That was over 1100m and he steps out over the same trip in the Clarendon Tavern Benchmark 64 Handicap.
'It was a nice run that day and if he runs up to that, he will be a good chance here.
'We have tried him in blinkers since his last run and they seem to have made him focus even better.'
Ryan and Alexiou also have Sweet Future in the same race but feel she will be better with this run under her belt.
The three-year-old was midfield in her first two starts at provincial level before going to Bathurst third-up and scoring by a length last December.
'She is a nice filly and is better than what her form really shows,' said Ryan.
'It was good to get an early win on the board.
'She is coming along really well but 1100 metres around Hawkesbury will probably be a tad short for her.
'She will definitely improve off the run because she has come back a lot bigger and stronger filly now than what she was and is taking a bit to get fit, hence the two trials.'
Ryan and Alexiou had two options this weekend with Cheeky Smirk and have opted to for the St Johns Park Bowling Club Maiden Plate (1100m) for colts and geldings and entires to make his race debut.
The two-year-old son All Too Hard showed good speed to sit outside the leader, Leading Impact, and chased home strongly to finish a three-quarter length second in his Rosehill barrier trial on June 20.
In his second trial, he went back early and didn't quite know what to do when sixth to Nashville Jack at Rosehill on July 4.
'His first trial was good then in his second trial when he went back, he got a bit lost in behind them,' Ryan said.
'That's why I like trialling young horses for speed one day and going back behind them the next. It gives them the experience both ways and you just find out a bit more about them.'
ADAM SHERRY'S TOP SELECTIONS
BEST BET
Race 7 No. 7: MY PHAR LADY
Kicked off last campaign with a win and can start this one the same.
NEXT BEST
Race 6 No. 4: DANISH PRINCE
Racing well without winning in stronger grade. Gets his chance to break through.
VALUE BET
Race 8 No. 6: FLY SCOTTY FLY
Handy second here first-up and will make his presence felt.
QUADDIE
Race 5: 2, 3
Race 6: 3, 4, 6
Race 7: 4, 7, 8
Race 8: 5, 6, 8
Zac Lloyd looks set for a good day. Picture: Getty Images
JOCKEY TO FOLLOW
ZAC LLOYD has four rides and all are among the leading chances.
INSIDE MAIL – HAWKESBURY
RACE 1: Hrc Motel Provincial Mdn Hcp 1300m
TAMBELOA (3) was trapped three-wide in the small field when finishing a length-and-three-quarter third to Loving on debut at Newcastle on June 28. Will be improved by the run. AFLOAT (1) kicks off his campaign for a new stable. Unplaced in both runs here when first-up but was doing his best work late. Improved second-up to finish second over 1500m. Latest trials have been good. ZOUGOTME (4) is a debutant by Zousain. Hasn't been pushed in his recent trials. Was strong late when second in his Kembla trial in March.
Bet: Tambeloa to win
■ ■ ■ ■ ■
RACE 2: Blakes Marine Mdn Plate 1500m
TEQUISODA (9) copped a bump at the start and settled a little worse than midfield on the rails before nicely for second behind Sapling at Wyong on debut. Will take benefit from the run. THE IRON STAR (2) kicked off his second campaign with a three-quarter length second to Jared over 1300m at Goulburn. Jumped straight to 1600m when fifth to Unusual Prospect in a Super Maiden at Gosford. THE CRISTAL (7) was reluctant to go to the barriers before finishing fifth at Orange on debut. Resumes here. Watch betting.
Bet: Tequisoda to win
■ ■ ■ ■ ■
RACE 3: St Johns Park Bowling Club Mdn Plate 1100m
POWERHOUSE (9) is debutant by Extreme Choice. A little slow into stride before working home for sixth in his Randwick trial. Better away to sit outside the leader when second to Fierceness in his Warwick Farm heat. DISPARATE (5) is a first starter by I Am Invincible. Sat last and was warming up the last 100m when seventh in his June 13 Randwick trial. Sat four-wide and wasn't pushed when fifth there in his June 27 heat. GLADSTONE GRANDE (7) debuted in the Kirkham when last to Comedy. Resumes here and has trialled nicely.
Bet: Powerhouse to win
■ ■ ■ ■ ■
RACE 4: XXXX Gold Mdn Plate 1100m
VANLEE (4) raced outside the leader and hit the front on straightening before challenged by the $1.30 favourite Horseshoe Hill and fighting gamely for a long head second when resuming here. Followed with a third to Dyami on a Heavy 10 at Warwick Farm. YVETTE (5) didn't handle the heavy track at Newcastle first-up from a long spell when seventh behind Hoku. Was third to Chartwell and Triskelion at Canterbury at her other two starts. ZING TO ME (6) has place claims on her last start second here.
Bet: Vanlee to win
■ ■ ■ ■ ■
RACE 5: Godolphin Lifetime Care Plate (C1) 2000m
UNUSUAL PROSPECT (2) resumed with a good win in a 1600m Super Maiden at Gosford. Got back and worked home okay when sixth to Oh Golly Gosh here on July 3 on a track favouring on speed runners. Up to 2000m suits. SO YOU READY (3) was held up at a vital stage and only clear last when fourth to Libby at Grafton on July 13. Previous runs were very good. ENTITLEMENT (9) has finished third in both runs back and looks like she will appreciate the step up to 2000m.
Bet: Unusual Prospect to win
■ ■ ■ ■ ■
RACE 6: Essential Asset & Fire (Bm64) 1500m
DANISH PRINCE (4) has been out of the winners circle for quite some time but continues to race well. Second in a Randwick Midway and just behind the placegetters in three runs since. Back in grade and can land a deserved win. OH GOLLY GOSH (6) got well back at Gosford over 1300m when seventh to runs back. Stepped up to 1600m and did a nice job to score here last start. NOISES (3) made rapid progress in the spring from a maiden win over this track and distance to running in the VRC Oaks. Can run well first-up.
Bet: Danish Prince to win
■ ■ ■ ■ ■
RACE 7: Godolphin Midway (Bm64) 1300m
MY PHAR LADY (7) kicked off last campaign with back-to-back wins in a maiden and Class 1 before jumping up sharply in grade at her next two. Was a good second in her trial here on July 7. ORTHIE'S BOYS (8) held out t he in-form Killer Kerr at Goulburn before a closing fourth to Canpikapony over 1300m at Gosford. The 1300m here will suit. PRINCE HARRISON (4) scored a deserved win at Kembla last start. Drawn well and will be prominent again.
Bet: My Phar Lady to win
■ ■ ■ ■ ■
RACE 8: Clarendon Tavern (Bm64) 1100m
FLY SCOTTY FLY (6) wasn't suited on a wet and shifting track when last at Gosford last start. Same happened at his other two unplaced runs. Was runner-up to Cassiel when resuming here and will go close again. AGAINST THE LAW (5) resumed from a 18 month lay-off with a long neck second behind Regimental Colours over 1000m here on July 3. Will take plenty of benefit from the run. HONEY PERFUME (8) is ultra-consistent with a win and seven placings from her eight starts. Comes off a second to Killer Kerr sat Warwick Farm.
Bet: Fly Scotty Fly each-way
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Evergreen forward Jack Gunston booted two of the first three goals for the Hawks, who hit hard off counterpunch, characteristically looking to go through the corridor as they piled on five unanswered majors before Adelaide's first to lead by 26 points at the first change. 'They were on fire. Perfect what-to-do on the road is get off hard, win the clearances, win the contested ball, tackle hard and put Adelaide on the back foot,' Adelaide Crows icon Mark Ricciuto assessed on Fox Footy. Dunstall added the Hawks' clearance ascendancy was a rarity this season: 'Fifteen to five for clearances … that's an advantage they've rarely enjoyed this season. And then that translates to a territory advantage … the defence stood up; they conceded 1.1 from 11 inside-50s.' The Hawks finished the opening term +20 for points from clearance. Six of their clearances came via Will Day, with that being the best effort in a quarter by a Hawthorn player this season. But in the second term, the script was completely flipped on its head as the home side got to work. The Crows went on an unanswered run of eight goals to strike fear into the hearts of the Hawks, lifting their intensity to a critical level. It was the first time the Hawks had been held scoreless in a second quarter since Round 22, 2004. 'It was an extraordinary first quarter from the Hawks — they fired their best shot — and the Crows just said 'I see that and I'll raise you',' Dunstall said at half-time. Hawthorn allowed Adelaide 23 more contested possessions in the second quarter alone. The Hawks still had nine more clearances at half-time, but they'd been overtaken for territory, with the Crows generating four more entries. 'Hawthorn can't allow 22 (contested possessions) against (in the third), because then it's not going to matter what they do in front or behind the ball, it's not going to be enough,' Buckley said. 'We'll see — Dawson and Day, we'll see Newcombe and Berry; we'll see these matchups through the middle of the field … those contests are going to be instructive.' Conor Nash broke Adelaide's run of eight-straight goals at the six-minute mark of the third quarter, before the Hawks incredibly went on another rampant run of majors — booting five in a row for the second time on Friday night. Lyon said the response from Mitchell's charges was 'fantastic' after giving up the first goal of the term to trail by as many as 22 points, generating their scores off the back of 10 intercept marks in the quarter. 'Let's just put this in perspective. They gave up 20+ contested possessions in the second quarter, so to go in and gather yourself, give up the first goal of the third quarter, and then bang five in a row — fantastic response,' Lyon said. But inaccuracy was problematic in the final stanza, with the Hawks managing a measly 2.4 to Adelaide's 6.2 as they surrendered their eight-point three-quarter-time lead. The loss means the Hawks could finish the round as low as seventh on the ladder, with daunting matchups with Collingwood and Brisbane among its last three games of the home-and-away season. And in a year where it appears 15 wins might be necessary to guarantee a place in September, Hawthorn will simply have to win one of those Pies and Lions games to get to that number and give themselves a chance. 1. SAM'S FORWARD GAMBLE FALLS FLAT Sam Mitchell's bold selection call to play four tall forwards justifiably prompted plenty of media attention in the lead-up. They hadn't done it all year, so why now? Mabior Chol was the man recalled on Friday night after missing with a groin complaint, lining up alongside Jack Gunston, Calsher Dear and Mitch Lewis. Speaking pre-game, the senior coach told Fox Footy his reasoning: 'A bit of availability, we play three a lot of the time on the field — and you'll only see three on the field at once — it (also) fixes a bit of second-ruck issues for us. It'll be good to get 'Mabs' back, he's been important for us all year.' Chol bagged an early goal — an impressive set shot — to settle nerves, but from that point on, there was basically nothing to note from himself and the likes of Dear and Lewis. Typically, Gunston was the one consistently presenting a threat, kicking two in the first half and finishing the night with four majors and seven score involvements. Halfway through the third quarter, Mitchell made his move — an admission of sorts — tactically removing Dear from the contest after the young high-marker went scoreless with no marks and just three disposals in 67 per cent game time. 'It's an interesting one, (subbing) Calsher Dear. Lewis is the one that can't really get to the contests at the moment,' Lyon said of the move. Mitchell's choice to name James Worpel the sub initially looked a perplexing one on paper, but you got the sense it was to rebalance the side if the plan to field four talls didn't bear fruits. Lewis kicked his first of the night with a snap at the 23-minute mark of the third, capping his night with seven disposals and four marks. Lewis, Dear and Chol combined for two goals. Again, it was the small who went to work for Hawthorn, with Nick Watson and Jack Ginnivan combining for 12 score involvements, and Dylan Moore adding five of his own and a goal.
