2:25am - WESTAFLEX BENCHMARK 85 HANDICAP | 1300m | | i

An intriguing affair over 1300m opens the card on Hawkesbury's hugely popular stand-alone Saturday meeting. The club as usual have done a tremendous job promoting the event and the $1,000,000 in prize money has ensured competitive racing and good field sizes. A consistent group of gallopers lines up here with 7 of the 11 runners opening under double figure odds. The higher-rated Disciple and Longshoreman have been competing against some sharp gallopers in their most recent races, but whilst seldom far away, they have been struggling to break through. Darley hold a very strong hand with favourite Suit ultra-consistent in slightly easier company and Generalife and Imperil, who both have solid form. The latter is primed for a first-up run with the blinkers on, and looks to go forward in a race that lacks pace. Swoopers Smart Moochi (who flies fresh) and Turbulent Jet are both capable of reeling off powerful finishes if the leaders do set a decent tempo. Turnley perhaps is the value in the race, with two excellent runs this campaign, both of which have solid form lines. A tricky one to start a big day in Sydney's north-west. Best of luck for the day and see you in the mounting yard (@TheRaceGuide on Twitter).