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THURSDAY 2nd JULY - HAWKESBURY

Rail Position: +4m 1100m - 450m, True remainder

RUSKANA, Race 3, 1600m, 1.25pm, A Hyeronimus, 59kg
Ruskana wasn’t beaten far when third at Gosford last time, but it was a weak race so we were still a bit disappointed as we thought he could win. Rachel commented that he was one paced under pressure, so whilst he sticks to 1600 metres for now this more expansive track places more of an emphasis on stamina and he’s bred to stay on his dam’s side as she won over 2000-2100 metres, so let’s hope it does the trick. Adam will be positive from barrier 4 to try and establish himself in a favourable position, and we’d love to see him run a competitive race to warrant us persevering with him.

THE LITTLE GENERAL, Race 8, 1100m, 4.25pm, Z Wadick, 56.5kg
The Little General is in great shape ahead of his return. His two trials this time in have been excellent, and they’ve given him the right fitness foundation to kickstart his campaign. He went close to winning when last first-up at Gosford over this distance, so we know he goes well fresh which adds confidence. We’ve been patient and have given him plenty of time since he last raced in December, but this has enabled him to mature further so whilst he’ll never be the biggest he’s certainly the strongest and most robust he’s ever been. Barrier 16 has the potential to make life a bit tricky, but Zac will be positive from there to try and get across and settle either on or just in behind the speed and make his own luck accordingly. He broke his maiden over 1300 metres at this track so whilst he’ll improve as he gets over further we know he goes well here, and he’s got form on rain affected surfaces too so that’s another positive with the track currently rated in the soft range. This race is restricted to horses that have contested four or more country or provincial grade races in the last year, so it’s an attractive starting point for him. All bar two of his rivals are quite exposed with ten or more career starts to their name, whereas he’s only had six so we’re hopeful he’s got more improvement to come than many and we expect him to be hitting the line strongly to get his preparation off to an exciting start.