Local trainer Mark Minervini, who trained five winners in the space of three days recently, is expected to continue his winning run at Saturday’s Newcastle race meeting. Minervini’s lone runner is his stable star and track specialist Super, who runs in the Shane Wilson Painting Provincial Benchmark 68 Handicap (1600m).
Super has won seven races, including six on the Newcastle track over distances from 1200m to 1600m. Aaron Bullock rode Super last start on this track, and he settled much closer and raced away in the straight to win by 2.95 lengths. The son of Snitzel has won two of his three starts over this trip on this track. Bullock rides again on Saturday.
The John O’Shea trained filly Announcing resumes from a spell in the Ocean & Lakes Trade Services Class 1 Handicap (1200m). The three-year-old has had three starts for a win and a second, and she looked good in a recent quiet trial. On January 25, Announcing came from back in the field to win running away at Gosford. Last start at Gosford on February 28 she was an unlucky second, and on Saturday 3kg claiming apprentice Molly Bourke has the mount.
Brodie Loy has been Annabel Neasham’s stable jockey in Queensland, and he returns to Newcastle to ride the trainers three-year-old Afterboomer in the Buildingwise Construction CG&E Maiden Plate (1400m). The gelding was narrowly beaten on debut on this track in May and was again runner up at his only other start at Kembla on May 23.
Aaron Bullock has picked up the mount on the lightly raced filly Kokoshnik in the Make Me Up F&M Benchmark 64 Handicap (1400m). The three-year-old has had five starts for a win and three seconds. She started $1.35 when an all the way winner at Goulburn last start on May 26. Kokoshnik has good speed and draws well.
Kris Lees’ gelding Little Beginnings steps up in class when he contests the Seed People Consulting CG&E Benchmark 64 Handicap (1400m). Last start the three-year-old toyed with the opposition to win a Gunnedah Class 1 by close to three lengths. He was narrowly beaten by the in form Nosey Parker on this track in April. Little Beginnings must overcome an adverse barrier, but he can race on the speed if desired.
Turbo Charged, narrowly beaten on this track last start can atone in the Independent Mobility & Rehab F&M Maiden Plate (1400m). The filly will be ridden by Christian Reith, and she has been placed in two of her last three starts.
The states winningest jockey this season Aaron Bullock has six mounts at the meeting.